FIFA 2001
Score: 98% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: EA Sports Developer: EA Sports Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 8 Genre: Sports
Graphics & Sound: FIFA 2001 is absolutely gorgeous on the PlayStation 2! This game has got all the eye candy of Madden (plus more!), with the added element of what seems to me to be the most incredibly accurate announcing on any video game ever. Players are beautifully rendered and are full of emotion whether they are complaining, yelling, pushing, or running around after a score. Even the little things like splashing rain are splendid. Not only that, but crowd chants and sound fx put you right in the middle of the action.
Gameplay: Even if you don't typically like soccer, you may fall in love with FIFA 2001. The game offers 16 different leagues from around the world, and features the best players from within those leagues. Everything from Exhibition and Season modes to Tournaments and Custom gameplay options is offered in this incredible game. EA Sports has outdone themselves this time! Maneuvering your players is fairly simple and easy to do, but scoring is a bit on the tricky side. Like any good real-life soccer game, the best is the game with low scoring. FIFA 2001 incorporates this well. Scoring isn't impossible, but don't expect any gimmies either. The multiplayer game of FIFA 2001 is equally as fun (unless your little nephew whoops up on you every time you play!). But watch out for those red cards when you try a cheap tackle on your buddy!
Difficulty: FIFA 2001 is very easy to get into as the controls are as basic as you want them to be, yet very in-depth if that's how you choose to play. The Artificial Intelligence of the computer-controlled players is quite well done and they will be scrapping with you at all times. Once you learn even more moves, you will be able to pick up the pace and score more frequently. FIFA 2001 is a perfect game for any skill level of player.
Game Mechanics: Although some of the already-released games took some advantage of the PS2's new controllers, none have compared to FIFA 2001. This game lets you take full control of your players by adjusting your moves according to how hard you push the pressure-sensitive buttons. Even with all of these options, however, the game is very simple to control and anyone can jump right into the action with ease. FIFA 2001 is one of the best sports games ever, even if you aren't a fan. Anyone looking for a great single or multiplayer sports title should check this one out!
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
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