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FIFA Soccer 08

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7.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 28 critic reviews
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Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Canada

Genre(s): Sports, Soccer

Players: 10

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: October 9, 2007

Summary

The FIFA Soccer 08 next-gen gameplay engine, built to maximize the power of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, delivers animations and ball control that is so responsive you feel like you are actually on the pitch. Players in FIFA Soccer 08 now benefit from A.I. so smart, it features a 35-point decision engine which enables players to process multiple decisions and reactions in real-time. The A.I.'s dynamic ‘Threat Map’ system captures the excitement and realism of soccer. Players are now aware of their surroundings, reacting authentically to threats and opportunities to make intelligent football decisions. A true next-generation ball-striking engine calculates shot success by combining an almost infinite number of different contexts, including ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, and even air pressure to recreate the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting. A new play mode called Be A Pro locks you in the role of a single player and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real soccer player—from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing. FIFA Soccer 08 introduces skill moves with a true next-generation organic 'building-block' system enabling you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define your own style of play. Animations can be interrupted at any time to transition into a new move, enabling you to read and respond to the defence, just like real life. Master the skills to break down the defence, elude your marker and lead your team to victory. Represent your club online against your rivals throughout the season in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division. When they play, you play. [Electronic Arts]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: FIFA 07

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

1UP

A superb and strikingly polished game.

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GameSpy

After four iterations, FIFA Soccer 08 feels like the first title to live up to the "next-gen" name.

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TheSixthAxis

FIFA is now the complete package; it combines all the licensing you could want along with graphics slicker than a Gerrard through ball and adds a match engine with more play-styles than Rafa Benitez has rotation options.

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GameTrailers

The franchise has finally reached its next-gen potential with a gang of new modes and gameplay tweaks that make the experience much more realistic and skill-based. There’s a steeper learning curve to overcome, but it’s worth it to finally cast aside the 16-bit pass-pass-shoot trappings the FIFA series has endured for far too long.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

While the on-field action feels sluggish and unresponsive at first, you soon learn to work with the pace of the game and play it like you would the sport, rather than just the videogame. [Nov 2007, p.107]

GameZone

A truly terrific soccer game that is both entertaining and challenging. Performing skills with the analog-hot key combination is difficult, but the results, when you pull off that move that separates defender from shoes, is a great feeling.

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PSX Extreme

The game is leaps ahead of past iterations, and is without question the finest footy sim out on the market.

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GameSpot

The first FIFA for the PS3 is an impressive debut, and while it can be difficult at times, it's a polished and highly playable game.

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Pelit (Finland)

Slow pace, tight defense and new manual passing controls make FIFA 08 the most realistic game in the FIFA series. However, there are still some issues as players are not moving as smoothly as they should. Be a Pro´s online mode is simply great. [Feb 2008]

Game Chronicles

I hate to look like I am fawning over a game – much less a sports game – but FIFA 08 is by far the best release in this long-running series, and one of the best sports titles on the PS3 thus far.

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Game Over Online

Overall, FIFA 08 is a wonderful soccer game that improves on its predecessor in almost every way. It looks great, plays great, and is back on the right track for taking the crown back from the Winning Eleven series.

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Cheat Code Central

If you want a soccer game that can actually last you more than a year, then FIFA Soccer 08 is a good choice. You'll get your soccer fix with good controls, great graphics, and tremendous license support.

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Play UK

Foregoing arcade action for a more measured simulation, with FIFA 08 EA has given the gamer - you by all accounts - the most realistic football game yet. Not perfect, but very, very good. The tinkering has finally paid off. [Issue#159, p.76]

Gamers' Temple

FIFA Soccer 08 is a little overwhelming at first to non-soccer fans but with a deep control system, good graphics, and a bunch of modes, those wanting a full soccer game will be happy.

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Gaming Age

FIFA 08 is not only the best EA soccer game in years, but one of the best soccer titles in recent memory.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Yes, the leagues are here; the players are here; the stadiums (well, some at least) are here. But FIFA 08 represents EA’s first real attempt in years to do something with the franchise other than just repackaging what has gone before. Here’s a game that makes a real (if occasionally flawed) effort to move the sports sim forward.

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GamerNode

Its depth may scare off some gamers while appealing to the hardcore soccer fan.

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Play.tm

It again edges closer to Pro Evo, without quite managing to crack that magic formula. Whilst there will be proponents for each game, it still feels like EA is trying to catch up. That said, their decision to make FIFA more of a footballers game than a gamers game is an excellent decision.

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VideoGamer

It's a gorgeous, decent football game that's trying a bit too hard to be "PES" when it should be celebrating what it already was.

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Total Video Games

On the next-gens, FIFA 08 really is a step forward. Much improved graphics and gameplay, as well as the application of many new features. On the previous-gen formats, it's a continuation of a recent trend which has brought more depth and realism to the FIFA series.

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AceGamez

With plenty of single player modes to entertain you for months and the online depth that fans have craved, any self-respecting FIFA fan who picks up FIFA 08 should be ready to clear off their gaming plates.

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Video Game Talk

FIFA 08 has a lot of diversity of its game play and offers an addictive, easy to learn experience for soccer fanatics.

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IGN

FIFA 08 seems to represent the classic videogame mistake. It’s not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination and will likely satisfy football diehards a bit more than past entries in the series, but one can’t help but wonder just how good the whole package could have been if EA Sports had just held the game back until the online Be a Pro Mode was finished.

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Game Informer

FIFA 08 is the most playable version of the series yet in the next-gen era--including a cool Superstar-like mode--but ghosts of old gameplay still haunt this release. [Oct 2007, p.110]

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PALGN

FIFA 08 is without a doubt the most realistic FIFA title yet, but only just. There have been a few gameplay refinements and the new modes are decent. It's disappointing Australians will miss out on the 5 vs 5 be a pro online feature as that is one of the drawcards for FIFA 08.

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Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

FIFA 08 delivers a pretty complete soccer package that we still hope will improve as the specter of pressure from Konami's "Pro Evolution Soccer" looms on the horizon. [Holiday 2007, p.84]

PSM3 Magazine UK

Overall Slow, predictable and does little to satisfy your footie needs. Disappointing.

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Playstation Official Magazine UK

FIFA 08 is a workmanlike effort from EA. [Dec 2007, p. 98]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Timmay gave it a4:
The enduring question for the football gaming fan has always been..."is FIFA any better than PES2008?". While PES08 is clearly underwhelming, the answer to the previous question is still a resounding "NO" having purchased both. In fact, I traded FIFA in after I got both because FIFA was such garbage. CPU players on FIFA couldn't finish if their little electronic lives depended on it. The main challenge for me on FIFA on 'world-class' difficulty was getting the ball off the CPU opponent when my defender was literally glued to the opponent (with me watching bemused as the two players ballroom dance together along the edge of my box from one corner to another - pathetically unrealistic). Also, can EA please let me use the D-pad rather than the joystick?

Ben M. gave it a7:
Gameplay is frustrating at first but once the system is learnt, the game is very realistic, although some of the players look exactly the same, and some look as though EA has tried to make them lifelike, only to end up with overkill. Also, some commentator comments can get very, very repetitive.

Brian W. gave it a3:
Well, i did not like this game. Compared to PES 2008 this game is a -1000. I totally wish i could get my money back, but i can't. The graphics are good, but the game is toooo slow and bad. I have never owned a FIFA Soccer game in my life, now i know not to buy anymore.

Matt C. gave it a4:
Terrible player movement and control, slow and cumbersome, it is nothing like real football, the licenses will keep kids happy but its gameplay is supassed by pro evo by a long way. I'm hoping EA can produce a FIFA game that I can play for longer than a month at some point.

Danny B. gave it a7:
I waited a long time to give my opinion on the rating of this game -- rightfully so, as it has changed so much At first, I thought it was too difficult and the A.I. was too strong for the opposition and too stupid for your team. Then I began to realize their was a depth to this game that had been missing on the repackaged Fifas that had been released the previous years. Now I've come to a conclusion. This game is a valiant effort by EA to redesign and redefine its take on footie, but while the overall effort is very fun and playable, there are also quite a few flaws. The passing mechanic can be clumsy and often frustrating (eg "Of all players to pass it to, you decided to pick HIM -- the COVERED one!?). Your team's AI often hangs back and rarely sticks very tightly to a man, making it very easy to make tight passes in traffic. The trick stick is very difficult to use at times, but once grasped, is almost impossible to stop. Defense can be a struggle as players often get stuck behind the offensive players or completely miss on tackles allowing ball carriers to run free. With the bad, though, comes some good (and some of it is very good). The sheer depth of the game is unbelievable. All teams and players are represented (and pretty accurately as well). The game modes are numerous and extremely fun. "Be a Pro" mode is a welcome change and the incorporation of it into online mode is beautifully constructed. The ranked games online are very well done, though finding a match can be difficult at times. When games ARE found, lag is generally sparse and gameplay runs very smoothly. All in all, FIFA 08 is a good and often very fun game. The improvements work well and the visuals are sharp, even though the game can be difficult and frustrating at times.

Daniel F. gave it a5:
I'm giving this game a 5 just because it has all the teams and player names...and thats it. The game is awfull even though EA have made their best version for many years, shame though as the game play really is very bad and the graphics suck too. Igave a low rating for PES 2008 too, but this game is much worse...another rubbish next gen game....When are they going to bring out a decent game for the next gen console?

Maciej B. gave it an8:
I've never liked FIFA but, this is a really good football game. I find it tedious playing against high level cpu teams but online it is great. Be a Pro is good fun - it will be interesting to see how it plays online once the upgrade is released. Definitely worth the investment until PES 2008 comes out. Better than PES 6.

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FIFA Soccer 08

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