FIFA Soccer 2005

GameZone

Dribbling, passing and headers are handled beautifully enough and the First Touch Control is a welcome addition that we’d like to see again next year. As for the game’s Career Mode, not only is it comprehensive but it’s also downright addictive.

My Gamer

All the versions of this game are great, and now the GameCube version is not the ugly duckling like in other years. Now GC owners have a great soccer game to add to their library, and overall one of the most fun and popular sports games around.

AceGamez

FIFA Football 2005 has more than proved its worth with some lovely new control features that add a lot more subtlety and variety to the gameplay, an extensive and highly involved career mode and those gorgeous graphics.

PGNx Media

The game’s presentation is superb, the gameplay is good and fast-paced, and the game offers much replayability.

Next Level Gaming

And it's not so much the backgrounds or stadiums, which don't get me wrong look great, but the animation of the players. EA Sports has always managed to get the players running, tackling, goalkeeping, and kicking right on the money. Even better than last year's game.

Nintendojo

Some would argue that "Winning Eleven" on the PS2 would make a better game, but FIFA just has the unique style, flair and production value that Konami can’t seem to pick up on.

IGN

The Franchise mode is extremely satisfying because the long term and short term consequences of your decisions are always going to be on your mind and that only ads to the pressure of winning. FIFA05 is the best version of the series so far.

GameSpot

There's no doubt that this is EA Sports' best soccer game to date on the pitch, but it's really unfortunate that the career mode isn't more user-friendly.

Nintendo Power

You can also start to simulate a match, then jump into the action for direct control midway through. [Dec 2004, p.144]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

The gaping chasm between FIFA and "Winning Eleven" may now be a photo finish. [Dec 2004, p.156]

Total Video Games

A game of football that is fast and fluid; now that the game uses its own engine and not a modification of the NHL one, it’s fair to say that issues such as stifled player controls and jerky animation transitions are well and truly a thing of the past.

Game Informer

As good, if not slightly better than all the other FIFAs before it. And as long as this is all anyone asks for, it looks like FIFA will crawl along from year to year knowing that it never has to fully pull it all together. [Nov 2004, p.149]

Gaming Age

There are very few gripes here and there; camera issues and confusing career for newbies, but this is undoubtedly the best FIFA game in many years and seems ready for taking on "Winning 11" this season.

eToychest

The new first-touch control, the games biggest innovation for 2005 and the catalyst for this change in attacking emphasis, is brilliant. It’s logical, easy to use, works as it should, looks realistic and can blow a game wide open.

Game Revolution

If you care more about responsive control and a better overall gameplay experience, look next to FIFA on the retail shelf and find your allegiance with "Winning Eleven." It's still the king of the pitch.

Computer and Video Games

We applaud EA's efforts to make the game as authentic as possible, but the kits don't look great close up. The Man U one is last season's. There's no Nike sign on it. How do the likenesses fare down the league? Badly.

1UP

It's safe to say it's an above-average game and is certainly playable, but remains some way short of the best the genre has to offer.

TotalGames.net

It's definitely more playable than 2004, but you're still better off with "Winning Eleven 6."

GameSpy

The addition of the First Touch system makes the gameplay much more fluid, and it encourages you to improvise more often. Armchair managers will love the new career mode, one of the best you'll see this year.

G4 TV

With "Winning Eleven" on the market you just expect more, and you get it. FIFA may have high-priced Premiereship licenses and a killer career mode, but at the end of the day, it’s just not as much fun as the competition.

Gamer.tv

With its improved control system and animation the FIFA series is heading the right way across the pitch in terms of fluid gameplay, but even with these improvements, it still hasn't caught its greatest rival.

games(TM)

Players now react quicker and more like their real-life counterparts when handling the first touch of the ball. And first touches are generally smoother now, with players being able to flick on, trap or kick straight away on receipt. In practice, however, it’s not such a massive advancement and the player movement and control is still fairly sluggish. [Nov 2004, p.121]