FIFA Soccer 96

Review

by Joshua Romero

Entering into the 32-bit sports market, Electronic Arts already has a more than respectable reputation coming from the 16-bit market. The challenge ahead ofElectronic Arts is one that will eventually make or break a company, due to the fact that developers are going to be lining up to develop for the new systems. Did EA live up to fans expectations?

FIFA Soccer 96 is one of those titles you love, yet you find yourself wanting more from. The game is an excellent title and has a ton of positives. However, the negatives are of such importance, that they tend to drag the title down a bit.

In any sports game, if the play mechanics are off, then the development time has all gone in vein. The main problem with FIFA Soccer 96 is that the control wants to morph as the view changes. This creates a serious problem when your team is making a run down field. You end up finding yourself mashing buttons hoping that the ball makes it to one of your teammates. Other than that, most everything else is in check. But control is a major issue in a sports game, and this is really the one thing that holds FIFA Soccer from being a superior title.

Graphically, EA has done a great job of porting the title over to the new 32-bit systems. All the fields, players, everything looks really great. There is a lot of detail present in the game and adds so much to the title.

Probably one of Electronic Arts' best qualities is that they have always made their games to sound as authentic as they have played. FIFA Soccer 96 is no exception to that rule. The crowds seem very much alive and chant, cheer, boo, and act just like you would expect. Player sounds and the like are nicely represented and help to add atmosphere to the title

Overall, if you can tolerate the control issue, you will find yourself digging in deep to Electronic Arts' first PlayStation sports title FIFA Soccer 96.