FIFA Soccer 2004
by Electronic Arts
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Our Price: $15.90 Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days Buy Used: from $1.62 (click here) Category: Video Games See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of FIFA Soccer 2004
Customer Review: Online portion of the game doesn't work...
Summary: 4 Stars
Warning to all people who are thinking about buying this game: rent it first. It will save you from further pain...I bought this game mostly because of online play capabilities and what do you know... it is almost impossible to play it online... At least I wasn't successful even once to connect to other players... After doing further investigations I've found many similar posting on EA's own fifa message board (easportsnation.com). It looks like the game was realease with untested code for online play and complaints from 100s of people is the proff of this fact. EA states that ONLINE part of the game was developed differently from rest of EA title which work fine (Madden, NHL, NBA). This is where the problem is.....
My question to EA networking team: why was the game developed differently from titles like NHL, NBA, Madden? The network portion should be the same since the nature of the gameplay is very similar (team against team). I think somebody on EA's side made BIG mistake with this move and now because of the nature of PS2 games the patch can not be applied. I can go the distance to understand how unfinished and untested code went into production ('bad things' happen when deadlines are the most important thing...) but I can not understand why EA doesn't state this fact officially. Sales manager at BestBuy at the beginning was trying to refuse to exchange the game stating that manufacturer (EA) didn't inform them that the game was defective and hence it is working. It took me some time to explain what was the problem with the game and I was able to get the other title in exchange. At least I was able to warn the manager to pull the game from the shelf so that they wouldn't have to deal with returns (not sure if they did that or not). If only EA would officially acknowledge and inform retailers that there are technical problems with game code, major retail outlets would be able to refund money to their customers. The key point here is the fact that EA DOES NOT want to acknowledge the fact that the game isn't working completely (online portion). In my own opinion it is very bad strategy since it will backfire when word of mouth will spread like fire (this message board is perfect example). I personally changed the minds of 4 of my own friends to buy this game ($200 of lost revenue to EA). All message boards related to the game buzzing about online technical glitches. This is bad publicity and somethig EA competitors can use to get ahead (Konami). I personally don't care who will own my $50 as long as I am a happy camper. One thing for sure now, I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER with FIFA 2004... just look at the size of this post... but at least I got my money back. How about the time I wasted on the whole thing? And what about other people?
Somebody at EA needs to be a man and take responsibilities for their actions.....
Customer Review: A Great Leap From Last Year's Poor Effort
Summary: 4 Stars
EA Sports' FIFA Soccer 2004 is an excellent game but could use a few "tweaks" for next year's version. First of all, I enjoy the new Off The Ball Control which allows you to command your teammates movements on the pitch. Secondly, I'm glad to see the Nationwide League represented in this game and also it is good to see some of Europe's second divisions. With these extra teams, in career mode, you can coach a minnow from the depths of the England third division all the way to the premiership. The Career mode is an awesome option because you earn prestige and money in order to build your club to glory. I also enjoy the goal celebrations this year. Last year, in order to see a player's unique celebration, that player would have to have scored first. Now, you can in theory, score five times with five different players and you get to view all their celebrations. In contrast, I have a problem with the way the game handles possession. More specifically, the man in possession will have a red marker above his head. The player you have control over also has a red marker over his head. Apparently, there is some difference in the red markers but it is hard to tell. But the point being, the circle button on defense jostles the attacker for a conservative tackle, while the circle button on offense lobs the ball, or if beyond the center circle fires at goal. So, I will try and tackle a player not knowing I have the ball and accidently lob it to the other team. This "urkes" me. Furthermore, when the ball is going towards the sidelines and out-of-bounds, the CPU tags the closest player to the ball on your team and this player goes for the ball and walks it out-of-bounds. Try as you might, but you cannot repel your player from the ball in this situation. I really hate this when it gives away a corner for the opposition. Lastly, why did the game get rid or the Olyimpiastadion and the Stade Olimpico? (The homes of Bayern Munich, Roma, and Lazio respectively.) Why do they have Galatasary's stadium in there even though they tore down that stadium in the off season? Why don't they recognize groundshares? For example, Inter Milan shares the San Siro with AC Milan. Plus, they could do better with player animations. As a Liverpool supporter, I'm upset that Harry Kewell and Dietmar Hamman look like twins! Work on that, and for next year, I would like to see the addition of the Mexican league, the Dutch and Welsh national sides, and more squads from Eastern Europe. Also, add stadiums of good teams. Perhaps the Estadio Riazor of Deportivo La Coruna, St. James' Park of Newcastle, Parkhead of Glasgow Celtic, and Ibrox of Rangers. But all and all, if you are a true football fan, I reccommend this game!
Customer Review: GRRRRREAT!!!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
EA Sports has made the best, most realistic soccer game to date. Everything is improved from 2003. OFF the Ball control takes some getting use to, but once you master it, it makes for more enjoyable gameplay. The pace of the game has slowed down. I suppose in order to compensate for all the new in game features. I think it really enhances the game though. Now you really can strategize and plan and execute your set pieces better. You can always turn up the speed in the options menu if it bother you that much. Goal and corner kicks are improved as well. Now focusing more on controling the players on the pitch instead of the kicker. The practice mode is deffinetly a welcome addition to let you practice all the new features. New managment mode is very nice and sure to keep you playing for months down the line.Music is good with a nice mix of popular music from around the world. The sound effects are improved with more active crowds and players chattering on the pitch in thier own language. Commentating is right on track with accurate play by play comments. It's great to see the addition of the spanish commentating as well. Graphics are nice and smooth. You can actually destinguish betweeen the diffent players on the pitch without having the player names under them! VERY realistic. Stadiums look near perfect.
If you though the past FIFA's were too "Arcade-like", you'll be pleased to find a much better more realistic experience with 2004. Although Fifa doesnt have the "emotion" of Winning Eleven (another awsome soccer game) what FIFA 2004 does give you is a true authentic on-the-field play experience that anyone who actually plays the sport will really appreciate.
>>AS A SIDE NOTE:<< I think the reason alot of soccer fans hate the FIFA series is because it's put out by an american company and we all know america is not at all a soccer country. Actually the U.S.A. SUCKS at soccer!! Never the less, EA does do a good job with the series.
Customer Review: ONE OF DA BEST GAMES!
Summary: 4 Stars
Man... After buying this game the first day it came out, wow..... I don't undertand whats with all the other reviews. I played Winning 11 games all the time since my friend owns some but FIFA tops all the games. the graphics of the players look realistic as they could push the creators to the limit, but they kind of look cartoonish. The fields look awesome. Everytime a player falls they leave a grass stain. So many leagues including KOREAN LEAGUE! although im kinda mad they had only 1 korean chant, taehanminguk but sounds like FIFA 2002 World Cup "tae-han-min-gok. I'm not sure about the other countries because I got hooked with K-League, BUSAN ICONS ALL THE WAY! URI HA NUN PUSAN, SANG GI LUR HA NUN BU (PUSAN) (PUSAN) (no i didn't mispell it) Besides taht they have a practice mode where you play outside a fenced area that in the background has a sound of a chirping bird. Practice your field kicks too. BUT CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY SONG CHONG-GUG IS ONLY 57!?!?!?! ALL THE ESPN ANNOUNCERS SAID HES AWESOME! They have over 700 teams and a lot of players. The commentary has improved although one of the announcers is annonying (talks dull except for the guy still from FIFA 2002 World Cup). Overall I like Career mode the best. It lets you control a team for 5 years and if you do good, youll get points to help your players but its only once a year. STILL BUY THIS GAME, THIS GAME WAS WORTH THE $50O PIL SUN COREA! <><><> O PIL SUN COREA <><><> OP IL SUN COREA OOREOO FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
ALE ALE ALE PUSAN, ALE ALE ALE PUSAN, ALE ALE ALE PUSAN OOOOOOX3
ALE ALE ALE PUSAN ICON X3
O PUSAN ICON, UN-JAE NA SUNGPUL HAN NI AH-AH-AH-AH
URI URI URI HA KI WE HA YO!
Customer Review: NEW and 4 Stars
Wow, I just bought this game and I have to say it's 10 times better then Fifa 03 and I would rank it right up there now with the Winning 11 series. First off the graphics are MUCH better and smoother. Close ups on the crowd stiull bother me but thats no big deal. The best feature is the new OffBall control where you can control players on the field in addition to the ball carrier. This makes this SO MUCH better and more realistic to play. I can really get into the game now. Yes the gameplay is a little slower then before, but now, it takes more skill and strategy rather then "run, run, run shoot". The AI is greatly improved too. Defence is tougher this time around. The inclusion of different division Euroean leagues is great. On line feature is what really tops it off. I cant say enough about this! To play this great game with my buddy in Australia online is a dream!
Sound is great. Crowds are roudier and react to the shifts in the game better. A VERY nice touch as well is the ability to toggle the language from English to Spanish! Hearing the announcing done in Spanish and hearing the infamous cry of when scorring is such a great rush!! Overall a must have if your a real soccar fan. Only gripe is the lack of South American leagues. BUt I guess you cant fit it all on 1 disk (YET!!) Finnally a great football game by AE after some past clunkers.