PlayStation 2
Released in 2004 by EA Sports
Grade: B+
FIFA 2005 is a realistic, deep, strategic soccer sim that looks great by PS2 standards. It brings the series a big step closer to simulation greatness, but it’s got some quirks that are hard to forgive.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the fifth of 14 FIFA games on PS2.
Praises and gripes
The game has an impressively natural feel to it. I love how the players have momentum, how their passes are skillful but rarely perfect, how the ball takes natural bounces, and how the action doesn’t follow the exact same patterns twice. This game rightly belongs in the “ambitious simulation” subset of soccer games. A lot of the FIFA staples in its excellent PS3/Xbox 360 era are already in place, including a wide camera that gives an optimal angle of the action.
The basic controls are intuitive, with passes and shots affected well by how long you hold the button. There are a lot of advanced controls, some better than others. I like how the game helps you out automatically by making players wrap their passes around defenders and how defenders slide to intercept the ball. The slide tackle is almost useless against a decent gamer or CPU opponent. Instead you’ll use a standing tackle or just running into a position to knock the ball away.
The tactics and formations have obvious effects on the flow of play, making different matchups unique. The game is loaded with leagues and teams, and the difference in their skill levels is clear. There are a few drawbacks in AI though, like defenders who play too far back, leaving a lot of room between the mid line and back line, and defenders who occasionally let a guy go right by him.
The control is awfully touchy when taking a shot. It’s hard not to miss the net completely, yet you’ll occasionally see a superhuman one-timer drilled into the top corner. It’s not clear how players jostle for position as a long cross comes in. Most passes work great, but they falter at times, especially crosses and lobbed passes.
Soccer sims always face the tricky challenge of free kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins, and this game gets a 1/3 in that department. I like the mechanics for free kicks (after lots of practice), but corners and throw-ins aren’t done well.
This game certainly isn’t a bad pickup, even today. It’s fun and doesn’t feel as outdated as you might think.