FIFA 08 (PSP) - PC and Console Games (Electronic Arts)

The greatest battle of the new football season is not between any real world club but between the virtual giants of FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer. Konami's game has always been the favourite but last year FIFA closed the gap to such a degree that the title race has never been closer. This year's FIFA uses a completely new game engine, for the first time built specifically for the next gen consoles. But improved graphics and animation are only the half of it, with just as much focus going on the artificial intelligence thanks to the new "35 point decision engine". What this basically means is that every player on the pitch is fully aware of those around him and constantly thinking about tactics and position when not under your control.

Other changes include better modelled physics for taking a shot on goal, which take into account everything from air pressure to the angle of your foot. You're also able to create your own special moves to replicate every possible trick from real life. There are also new game modes. On top of this there are revamped online leagues to play a virtual season in the Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division against real opponents. With 620 licensed teams, 30 offline leagues and 15,000 players as well FIFA might just have made enough new signings this year to put it over the top.

Customer Reviews of FIFA 08 (PSP)

31st August 2008

James's review
I thought fifa 08 was a great game. The psp had great graphics and that is very good for a football game.It was a great game because it has lots of modes and things to do! I the challenge mode there are lots of challenges to go through and best of all you can do lots of things with the points you earn for completing a challenge. In manager mode you get lots of games and get to change players and formation and lots more. You can change the difficulty the camera view bookings injeries and offside. I think this was a good use of my time

Nljea
England
7th June 2008

Pro evo shouldn't be on the shelves with this out.
Fifa is a fantastic game just to limited with what you can do it's like a shortened version of playstation and x-box FIFA!

P.Davey
UK
31st March 2008

Solid Presentation. Flawed Gameplay.
I think my title explains FIFA 08 well. I have played FIFA since 2002 and it always has been presented well. The large amount of official teams, kits, stadiums never fails to impress, and is always an advantage over Pro Evo. Add to that a pretty good soundtrack and commentary and FIFA 08 is looking good. All of this presenation is in the PSP version, and the menus are slick, however it is the on pitch gameplay that really matters, and this is where the PSP version suffers.

Having played FIFA for years on Professional or World Class difficulty I thought it would be the same for the PSP. Not so. This game is much harder!!! To the point where it is much less fun watching your opponent keep the ball and give you no space to build an attack. Even getting towards the goal to have a shot is a struggle- and only in Semi Pro mode!

FIFA 08's graphics are not too great, and that's expected for a portable game. The textures are grainy and the players themselves do not have the detail of console versions, but its still fairly good. The controls are the same as any PS2 FIFA, and you can assign movement to analog or directional buttons which is good, but I think when playing itself the controls are too sensitive.

There are some extras on the PSP version like mini games and a trivia quiz and these are pretty good, although after a few tries you'll want to head back to the pitch.

So FIFA 08 for the PSP is a good scaled down version of the console game, with all the official licenses available, but I think the gameplay is way too hard which hurts the experience. I don't think FIFA or Pro Evo has made a fantastic portable version, so I would say it's just down to personal choice.

The Meister
Oxfordshire, England
6th January 2008

A Real Disappointment
Each year there is a highly publicised battle between fifa and pro evo for who has produced the best footballing game. PES had it sewn up every time up until PES 5 and fifa 2006, when Pro Evo started simply rebranding exactly the same game each year, and fifa developed and improved theirs. this trend has continued until 2007. fifa 08 is- I gather- briliant on ps2, x box, etc.- but on psp is worse than fifa 07. The gameplay is worse, the graphics are worse and only the off-the-field elements are even slightly improved. If you have a psp, get pes 2008.

Jimbo
Plymouth, UK
1st December 2007

FIFA Rocks - PROEVO Sucks
The ONLY footie game to own for the diehard fan. Proevo lost it's appeal to me when I bought 07, & 08 improves the whole experience. Now adding pre-season friendles as well.

OK the keepers make Lehman style boobs on occasion, but that is realistic. You can pull off the special moves (with practice), but crossing is certainly harder. Crank up the difficulty level & enjoy a tough game of footie. As a plus you get proper leagues, Masterleague ? Pah !!