Previous Next

Our national game has been translated in one form or another on every single computer system imaginable. Be it a Spectrum or Saturn, if a console doesn't have a football title, it deserves to be junked. One or two titles for each is fine, but when one game spawns two sequels, surely the biscuit is being taken. Fifa 96 is the latest game to crawl out of the EA sequel division, following hot on the heels of John Madden: The Geriatric Years, and Road Rash 42: Wheelchair Madness.

It has to be said that the general standard of football games has improved since Fifa came along, blasting away non-league pap like Ryan Giggs and second division mediocrity such as World Cup '94. The isometric viewpoint is now the norm, so EA have had to come up with new ideas in order to make this new edition a big seller. What next, we wonder? Eric Cantona leaping kung-fu style into the crowd? Or Paul Merson going down a line?

Sequel of a sequel to the hugely groundbreaking and popular Fifa Soccer.

Another neat option in this is the chance to play any two teams against each other. Should you be really struggling and getting beat, even by Ipswich, then you can play a friendly as Brazil, versus say... Kilmarnock. Unfortunately, this doesn't work in playoffs or other tournaments. Just be thankful for small mercies.

Hearn collects the cross and rolls it out to Key. He knocks a long ball to Swan and he hands it down to Coulthard. She spots Hill making the forward run, slides it through and Hill... scores! A new feature in this game is the ability to customise your teams, enabling you and your mates to make up your own teams and pit your wits against World Cup winners Brazil, or Manchester - we got beat by York - United.

Another new feature in this version is the ability to decide which players you have control over. Should you be the authoritative player who wants to command the game, you can select to play as defenders only. Or if you're a greedy git, and all you want to do is goal hang, you can play as a striker only.

As you may or may not know, I do like a game of footie, especially on a console. Although I was looking forward to this latest Fifa Soccer, I must admit to being a little disappointed. The players seem to be smaller and not as detailed as in previous encounters, and the crowd songs appear to have diminished somewhat as well. And it is ridiculously difficult to tackle anyone without fouling them.

Normally the problem with sequels is not so much the quality of the gameplay, but that the game suffers by adding nothing that makes it worth buying. Fifa '96 rather suffers from that. But also, there is a definite office feeling that this isn't quite up to the standards of Fifa '95, which really did move to improve on the original.

The graphics on the pitch are fuzzier than those of the crisp Fifa Soccer, and I'd vouch for the scrolling being jerkier. This is all alleviated by the new options, which might convince Fifa completists to go for it, but personally, I'd spend hard cash elsewhere.

Animation 90%
P. The player animation is still excellent...
N. ...but they don't run as smoothly as before.

Music 79%
N. Only a couple of tunes.

Playability 86%
P. You always want to come back.
N. But tackling is almost impossible.

Lastability 87%
P. This version is slightly tougher, but still easy enough for good progress to be made.

Overall 86%
Fifa never dies, but this isn't as "complete" as Fifa '95. Go for that instead.