FIFA 08 review for the PC

Football is the name of the game this month, what with PES 2008 (also reviewed in this issue) and now FIFA 08 out for the PC. FIFA has been the game of choice for many footie gamers, but it's had its fair share of criticism too, particularly on the PC which doesn't lend itself to the game particularly well. FIFA 08 has the usual starry line-up of authentic teams and players, but will the gameplay live up to it and provide a better gaming experience for PC-based footie fans? Read our review of FIFA 08 to find out now!
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FIFA 08 review for the PC
Despite allegedly making more cash than Star Wars, the FIFA series has often taken something of a critical mauling. It's a depressing affirmation of the power of marketing that it repeatedly clogs up the charts at this time of year, like dead leaves in the gutter.

Each instalment is met with a shrug, particularly on PC, where it is little more than an afterthought. Unplayable on keyboard, setting up a compatible joypad is a royal pain in the arse, and for a PC game, it's a great advert for consoles. You will ideally need a PS2 pad though, as this is the PS2 game. Surprisingly, this is good news for PC owners, as it is a far more accomplished affair than the tortuous next-gen game.

Essentially a tweaked version of the engine that's been used for the last few years, it's been honed to the stage where it does actually deliver a decent game of football. It still feels a little bit like playing on the moon, but the tackling is accurate enough, and the new manual through-ball and crossing controls provide more varied play.