The annual substitution turns the game on its head

Remember that kid at school? The one with the brand new team shirt, a fancy pair of boots, even those flashy shin-pads with the velcro? You know, the brat who looked the part but still got nutmegged by the spotty urchin in skins? That's FIFA, that is. Talking the talk and stumbling the walk, taking the beautiful in 'the beautiful game' too literally while failing to cut the mustard where it mattered most. Yep, that's FIFA. At least, that was FIFA until now.

Last year we saw a well-aimed clearance from its arcade past. This year FIFA brings the ball down and surges forward with purpose. Predictably the sheen of presentation is still blinding - 16 leagues and 10,000 players tell the tale of the tape; kits, sponsors and player likenesses to make Madame Tussards weep do the rest. A seductive package, enough to bring out the green-eyed beastie in the most zealous of Pro Evo fans, but this time that's not all, folks.

We're edging ever closer to the perfect match here. Pace is slowed, the pitch expanded as more emphasis is piled on the passing game, compounded by a new Off the Ball control feature that allows control of a pass receiver, steering their runs via the Right thumbstick before supplying the killer pass. With time and space it's a potent weapon, but these are valued commodities in a match that congests the midfield, demanding craft and probing to eke out chances.

Goals are hard to come by until the intricacies are mastered. Shooting is vastly improved but you'll only get to test the theory from long range until you've sussed crossing via your new tools. It doesn't help that the defensive game, boosted by improved tackling and a feature that throws extra bodies at the ball carrier, is hugely improved. Marking is disciplined, the timing impeccable. It takes patience and subtlety to break down... qualities we'd never thought we'd need in FIFA.

The rest is gravy, which is handy because it's typically half-baked. The new Career mode is a simplified version of Pro Evolution Soccer's Master League, where transfers and training are traded for prestige points gained for achieving club objectives. A weak link in FIFA's new line-up, but it at least introduces the likes of Yeovil Town and their Nationwide peers to rub shoulders with the usual star suspects.

Of course, the lack of Xbox Live play reduces FIFA to ten men before kick off and the post-pub kickabouts just won't be the same without those basketball-like scorelines. But FIFA Football 2004 shirks this challenge and bears down on goal. Maybe next year it will apply the finish.

Power
Incredible player models, fluid animation. Like watching the Premiership without the adverts.

Style
All the teams, players, sponsors, kits and stadia. It prances around like Cantona at a photoshoot.

Immersion
Improved chants and the vocal talents of Motson and McCoist. The best commentary ever.

Lifespan
If the Career mode is a shot in the arm, the rather lenient dificulty settings are a kick in balls.

Overall Emerges from the shadow of the licence to fulfil its potential as the best Xbox footy title. The boy done good.

1. Ridiculously pretty!
2. A deeper, more rewarding match
3. Nationwide clubs

1. Balanced towards defence
2. Easily beaten once mastered