Hey guys...just a quick review of WC 2002...
At the risk of sounding naive...I like it, I really, really do. Everyone always talks about game play...well in this version..the game play has been tweaked to the point where France (I was playing Senegal) spent about two minutes of clock time just ragging the ball while I stayed back. It also allows you more space and more time to build in your half and through midfield. Long runs are usually tolerated for about 30 yards before someone throws you an apparently legal forearm shiver. Pretty cool really...although I've played games of Madden 2002 where I wasn't hit that hard.
I think the runs are much more realistic and better timed.
I did slow the game down to the "slow" setting...which is where I usually play the game, and I don't feel it lacked for the proper speed.
The tackling is much more realistic...with the pllayers being tackled actually trying to push through the challenge. Looks like a player's strength will really come in to play in this game. In three games, I was fouled just once...leading to a free kick...more on that later.
As for ball physics...well...it's EA...but I must say, not all my shots were on target...and not all off target. It also seems that the infamous curling lobs to the corner from the computer team are gone. The ball will curl somewhat when your player shoots if you get a real good piece of it. There is a problem on free kicks, at least for those of us who use key boards. The ball curl function must be pressed and held while shooting. It's hard holding the "c" key or the "x" key while trying to time your "s" key. This may change when the game comes out.
There are several other little changes that I noticed where apparently EA has been listening to us...or someone...on the game play side...and I think that's good.
We must remember that this may be some sort of beta version that John Rowland came up with...I think...some things may change before what we finally see in our hands. But I think this game shows promise.
Is it a perfect game? Hardly, there's much to be done by you wonderful patch makers. Is this a better game than FIFA 2002? Definitely. Does it warrant another $45 out of our packets? It's really hard to tell. The game play improvements are incremental...the ball physics are still wacko...the kits could be better...the pitch is terrible (although there is a penalty spot! Wow!)...the replays (with multiple views of the same play...even on some closely missed opportunities)...the graphics and the stadium are beautiful. Same old EA...same old stuff. But you know us...we'll buy it...share it...and improve it. That's what this community does. Myself...I'm waiting for the Socceraccess patch. More later. Hopefully soon you'll be able to check me out on the MRA patch review site. More on that later as well.
Cheers,
mutiger
At the risk of sounding naive...I like it, I really, really do. Everyone always talks about game play...well in this version..the game play has been tweaked to the point where France (I was playing Senegal) spent about two minutes of clock time just ragging the ball while I stayed back. It also allows you more space and more time to build in your half and through midfield. Long runs are usually tolerated for about 30 yards before someone throws you an apparently legal forearm shiver. Pretty cool really...although I've played games of Madden 2002 where I wasn't hit that hard.
I think the runs are much more realistic and better timed.
I did slow the game down to the "slow" setting...which is where I usually play the game, and I don't feel it lacked for the proper speed.
The tackling is much more realistic...with the pllayers being tackled actually trying to push through the challenge. Looks like a player's strength will really come in to play in this game. In three games, I was fouled just once...leading to a free kick...more on that later.
As for ball physics...well...it's EA...but I must say, not all my shots were on target...and not all off target. It also seems that the infamous curling lobs to the corner from the computer team are gone. The ball will curl somewhat when your player shoots if you get a real good piece of it. There is a problem on free kicks, at least for those of us who use key boards. The ball curl function must be pressed and held while shooting. It's hard holding the "c" key or the "x" key while trying to time your "s" key. This may change when the game comes out.
There are several other little changes that I noticed where apparently EA has been listening to us...or someone...on the game play side...and I think that's good.
We must remember that this may be some sort of beta version that John Rowland came up with...I think...some things may change before what we finally see in our hands. But I think this game shows promise.
Is it a perfect game? Hardly, there's much to be done by you wonderful patch makers. Is this a better game than FIFA 2002? Definitely. Does it warrant another $45 out of our packets? It's really hard to tell. The game play improvements are incremental...the ball physics are still wacko...the kits could be better...the pitch is terrible (although there is a penalty spot! Wow!)...the replays (with multiple views of the same play...even on some closely missed opportunities)...the graphics and the stadium are beautiful. Same old EA...same old stuff. But you know us...we'll buy it...share it...and improve it. That's what this community does. Myself...I'm waiting for the Socceraccess patch. More later. Hopefully soon you'll be able to check me out on the MRA patch review site. More on that later as well.
Cheers,
mutiger
