One year into the new millennium. Forty years ago some thought we would be living on the moon, starting colonies on Mars, and enjoying pleasant rides over the country on our flying cars. Today, we are still quite far from doing any of that, but we still do have something no one could have imagined, video games. Video games that put you in the driver's seat or put you on the pitch playing in the pros. One step further, video games that are updated and made better year after year. Which brings me to the newest yearly edition of EA Sport's soccer series, FIFA 2001. I've played the game and now everyone wants to know how this game stacks against the rest. Read on.

Gameplay:

Most people will argue this is the key to the game, I agree. Compared to the games prior to FIFA 2001 it is a decent improvement. The field is drastically bigger (EA has listened), a glimpse of the screenshots will tell you the same. With the enlargement of the field you can make the game slower paced by using the new "Slower" option in the game. This is for those who have complained in the past that the game is too much like a ping-pong game; although, it does sometimes effect the aerodynamics of the ball (i.e. The ball seems to float in the air). If you are running outside of the penalty box and you press the shoot button, you may notice a bar at the bottom of the screen. Do not be alarmed! It is just the long awaited shooting bar! This bar seems ackward at first, but once you get used to is you'll wish it was there in all the games. The trade-off for power is accuracy, and vice-versa; which makes the game have a more strategic level to shooting.

The AI seems to easy when you start out using Amatuer and Professional level. Once you make the step to the World Class level, you'll notice a difference. It almost seems unfair how "good" the AI of the computer is. At the end of one of my games, the computer had 3 shots on net and two goals, while I had 11 shots on net and 1 goal. I am all for harder World Class level, but not when the opponent has "Superman" as the goalkeeper and your goalie could be found playing in an Under 13 youth game. Most would be better off being the goalie manually. On the field; however, I found it most effective to use the slide tackle. The Conservative tackle did nothing at all; except, stealing through ball passes. Then using the slide tackle eighty percent of the time will result in a penalty, and fifty percent to get a card, the refs are just a bad as usual. They only call what they want to call, which is usually for the computer. The things mentioned above just get annoying at times. It can get very frusturating when you notice these things and can't do anything. As a user in the FIFA 2001 Forum said "Why can't we just get a patch so we can tackle those morons".

Features:

The change in this catagory between FIFA 2000 doesn't change much. There is still 17 leagues; they have added the Korean League, while taking out the Turkish League. Not to mention, they have cut every Rest of the World team except Galatarasay. Besides that, the teams haven't changed much and the season mode has not changed much. FIFA 2001 has the same season mode as FIFA 2000, but it still is fun - being able to play in all the competition ranging from the countries' league, League Cup, Champions League, and UEFA Cup (Which are under different names). The MLS Season has changed, using the real divisions such as Eastern, Central, and Western. If you get bored of that you can make you make your own cups and leagues with the teams you want, or just play a regular friendly match. If your feeling good about your FIFA skills, or need to get hone in on your abilities; FIFA 2001 Matchmaker is for you. The biggest edition of FIFA 2001 is the IP/Internet options to play on. The matchmaker is a good way to meet your opponents, but you'll only get a real game if you have a 56k or better (Cable Modem recommended). If you somehow, get a good game though, it is amazing!

Graphics:

So, we've covered gameplay, now the game has to look good. FIFA 2001 delivers on the eye-candy. The first thing you'll notice is the details of the stadiums. Wembley, Saint Denis, and others, buzz with life! The subsitutes on the sidelines, the TV Crews around the sidelines everywhere, the linesmen running on the sidelines, and the ushers in the aisles.Up close the stadium details can look very blurry but a small price to pay for outstanding look to everything else You will notice those all of the things mentioned on the high rendering, but the game becomes very choppy*; however, you are allowed to move it down drastically until you can only see the stadium and the players. . The players on the lowest rendering still maintain the jersey logos and other things on their bodies, but on the highest rendering it looks incredible, the logos and the sponsers - their real jerseys! If you look above the jerseys you will see the players highly detailed faces. Most players don't always look like their real counterparts, but a select few you'd swear were actually their faces! The in-game vidoes seem to repeat a little to much. Players dance and jump up and down, the player can't believe he is getting a yellow, and the suspense of not being able to see what card you got until he holds it up high. You will not notice any glitches in the videos though. They are usually pretty smooth too.

Sound:

When you turn on FIFA 2001, you'll hear the rocking music of Moby, and his new hit "Body Rock". The game is packed full of hits from artist like Moby, Utah Saints, and The Assassins. You'll be so pumped up that the wait for the game to load will make you go into a wild frenzy. Once you get into the game you've got two options: Go towards the classical sounds of John Motson and Mark Lawrenson or get the new "On the Pitch" sounds. If you choose the first you will be greeted from John and Mark as they give you the setup of the match, and keep you informed throughout the game. I must admit it is ackward at times when John will respond to Mark's comment, the tone of voice is not correct and it makes it sound like a robot. Besides that its great to have John and Mark back in the booth! The latter option mentioned will take out John and Mark and replace them with players yelling for the ball and yelling in victory for scoring the goal. The sound effects get old and sound like your watching a Jackie Chang movie. If you take away the sound effects and just listen to the players yelling at each other and celebrating it's really a nice touch, and I'm glad EA put it in the game. With both of those options you will still have the chanting of the crowd. The chants are just the same usual, there is really no difference. Put the sound holds true, music to my ears, literally.

I've evaluated it, now it is your turn to judge what you think of this game. The game is lacking in certain areas, but then it has improved a lot in a lot of places too. I've given you my thoughts, now it's your turn.

* Computer used has 333mhz, 64MB, Voodoo 3

Gameplay: 8.0 - The shooting bar is a good edition. The game is a lot slower. AI still need work, especially Referee's!

Graphics: 9.0 - It just doesn't get any better then this.

Features: 7.9 - Not much added on from FIFA 2000, Season, Custom Cup, Friendly. Multiplayer, but usually laggy.

Sound: 8.5 - Motson and Lawrenson are back. Sounds get old quick. Good music tracks.

Replayability: 8.0 - Get multiplayer and you'll be set untill the next edition.

The Grade: 8.5 - New Gameplay features, Graphics better and better, Multiplayer, Soundtracks, Mottie, still needs work.

"The Grade" Not an average

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Related Pages

PC Screen Shots
Frequently Asked Questions
Matt's FIFA 2001 Thoughts