In a nutshell...
The world’s biggest footy game franchise lands on the N-Gage platform.
What is it good for?
Showboating your slick passing game, slide rule through balls and tactical management style.
Judgement time…
When Nokia announced the revamped N-Gage, along with the first round of games, EA Sports’ FIFA 08 was the one that got the gamers and footy nuts sharpening their thumps in anticipation. This high profile brand, with the global weight of official worldwide licensing behind it, was going to give N-Gage a World Cup Final-style fanfare opening. Now that FIFA 08 is available for N-Gagers to get their gaming mitts grass-stained, can it live up to its top billing or will it will crack, Avram Grant style, under the burden of expectation?
We’re pleased to report that the FIFA 08 is the best mobile footy game ever to grace a phone. OK, it helps that the N-Gage platform gives it a console-like sheen, but traditionally soccer games are tricky buggers to negotiate on a mobile handset, so FIFA 08’s improved playability is a boon. It’s not completely seamless but even vanilla gamers will be able to make multiple passes and let off some shots once the many controls become familiar.
But even before kick-off you feel the benefit of FIFA 08 licensing coup, with 14 official worldwide leagues and teams to choose from and all the latest squads and players to mould into your preferred formation. You can even assign players to certain roles. Cristiano Ronaldo is surely a shoo-in for freekicks.
Choosing stadium backdrops (ranging from Olympic splendour to League Two European sheds) and pitch conditions gives the game a keen sense of detail, and you can play quick matches, take on challenges, play a tournament or show your mental strength through a whole season.
Now your Christmas tree formation is well oiled with the full backs marauding forward at every opportunity, it’s now about getting to grips with the game. Along with the D-pad for directing the players, different levels of shooting, passing, tackling and skill moves involve the 0, 1, 4, 5 and 7 keys. It’s a tad bewildering at first but once you settle down and acquaint yourself with the controls, it soon becomes more intuitive. We played it on an N95 but we reckon it’s suited more the two-handed controls of the N81.
The graphics look swish and the gameplay is fast enough for you not to get too frustrated when trying to regain possession with a dirty sliding tackle. The only major niggle we have is the absence of multi-player gaming but overall, FIFA 08 is champion.