FIFA Soccer 64
Reviewed by Byron Miller
Released last week under the shadow of Blast Corps, FIFA 64 may be one
of the most overlooked games on the N64 platform. This game has a huge
amount of replay potential with the FIFA and the American, British,
French, Italian, and German leagues all present. Other features of F64
include play by play and color commentating by John Motson, 4 player
ability, instant replay, and free floating cameras.
Upon first view, F64 is indeed spectacular. The music is on par with
that of KI2, and the graphics of the intro are very photo realistic. The
game offers 3 modes of play and half lengths from 2 minutes to 45
minutes.
The game itself is simply stupendous. The graphics are very realistic by
polygon standards, and the action is very realistic. The play by play
can get a bit repetitive, but in all is a welcome addition (especially
on a cart). The computer AI is very good ranging from fairly easy to
playing vs. Valderama himself. The crowd chants add even more to the
realism.
Of all, the best feature is the free cam of the instant replay. The is
nothing more gratifying that watching your wingman score a goal, over
and over again from every angle. Also, a nice inclusion is the use of
the arrow buttons to make crowd sounds after goals..."goaaaaaaaaaaal!
The game isn't perfect though. The control is a tad sluggish, and
powering up shots is inconvenient, but necessary. It would also be nice
if the saves didn't take up as much room as they do. And for some
reason, probably do to lisencing, the American players are not present.
The rest of the world is, but the Americans are all fictitious.
If you don't have it, buy it!
Graphics: 4.5
Sound: 4.0
Control: 3.5
Fun: 5.0