Something funny happened on the way to the World Cup. by Vaughn Smith

January 16, 2006 - FIFA fans dying to get their hands (and feet) on the hotly anticipated X360 version of their favorite soccer game might be disappointed to find that not everything made the jump from current gen to next gen. The biggest clue is the subtitle "Road To The World Cup" which should act as a warning signal to those wondering if it's the same game. It's not. Some would say it's not even close.

FIFA 06 found on the Xbox, PS2 and Cube is loaded with features, teams and an excellent career mode. Road To The World Cup is a scaled down version featuring just over 70 International teams with really no career mode to speak of - the focus of course is the upcoming World Cup in Germany taking place between June 9 - July 9, 2006. However that doesn't excuse the fact that Road To The World Cup is a shadow of its current gen brethren. If you've been a FIFA fan for awhile you'll probably remember a few other "Road The World Cup" games and those weren't too particularly impressive either.

If you can ignore the stripped down modes and teams, the one area you'll definitely be impressed with is the eye-popping high res visuals. No doubt this FIFA 06 looks damn sweet. The ingame animation has been ramped up over the current gen systems and the CG looks great. If you happen to know your international soccer stars, you'll definitely be able to recognize your favorite players. You'll also be able to count the beads of sweat on their foreheads and notice some emotional reactions on their faces. Unfortunately though, RthWC features some pretty hair-raising graphical glitches that turn these handsome fellas into something akin to zombie movie extras every so often...and no sir, I don't like it. Due to the nature of the sport, closeups are fine and well, but the games camera will be pulled back far enough for you to get a look at the onfield action. From this angle you'll miss the graphic enhancements of this next version and Replays which have become a staple of sports gaming are at the far end of "eye candy" scale in RthWC due to odd visual hiccups and slowdown that marr the enjoyment of watching it in this mode.

Maybe you're the kind of gamer who really just wants to get into some quick matches and get on with getting to the World Cup. You don't care about all of the leagues, thousands of players, franchise modes and all of the other goodies missing in action... that's all just useless busy to work to you. In any case, Road plays a decent game of soccer, but you'll almost invariably prefer to play against real opponents rather than mixing it up with the games inconsistent AI. The AI on your team seems to be lacking common sense at times while the AI on the other end of the field rarely misses a beat. Scoring isn't exactly an easy task. Controlling the game is as pick up and play as novices would like, although I'm sure there are players who are dying for the next gen iteration of the more advanced Konami's Winning Cup Eleven to make an appearance. That's not an insult to FIFA; simply a testament to its easier control scheme which some players like and others, well....some do not.

Scoring is another matter entirely thanks to the almost impenetrable defense of the AI competition. Most people, even FIFA vets might find themselves scoreless after an entire game. If I can offer some advice (which I can since after all this is my review...) I'd suggest trying this: If you're always jamming on the B button you're going to always overshoot the net. Set up your shot near the goal with the Y button and then lightly tap the B button to get it in. Be careful as you will often be rushed by the keeper, so you'll need to chip it over him with a LT and B. Just remember to tap B.

The commentary provided by the UK's Andy Gray and Martin Tyler manages to keep up with the action as well as add some indepth insight to the more well-known players on the field. Like any previously released sports title with commentary, it's impossible to record an infinite amount of conversation, so you're going to hear repeats.

You really have to love truth in advertising. The Road To The World Cup allows you to qualify for the World Cup in Germany 2006, but not actually play in the World Cup. Come again? That's right. This game is all about the "road" to the World Cup...you can't actually take it farther than that. I know, that's insanity but that's the God's truth. Do with that information what you will.

FIFA 06: Road To The World Cup isn't exactly worthy of next gen fame. The game will set you back a ten spot more than the full-fledged Xbox version...and for what? High res? While the Xbox 360 version is certainly playable and can be fun to monkey around with, unless you only own an Xbox 360 system (and not an Xbox or PS2) I really cannot recommend that you purchase this game over the current gen versions. It's missing far too much.

Features:

• Next Gen Gameplay:
  The most responsive and context sensitive gameplay yet seen in a FIFA video game. With a deeper sense of control and real world physics, players now behave and react believably to every situation on the pitch, bringing you closer to the action than ever before.
  
• Believable Players:
  For the first time ever in a soccer game, players exhibit life-like body movement and facial expressions. Watch as players express the full spectrum of emotion from elation as they blast home the winning goal to venting their anger at decisions that go against them in critical match situations.
  
• Immersive Environments:
  Experience every detail of life on pitch. A combination of the most accurately modelled stadiums from around the world brought to life with dynamic 3D crowds. Through HD, you'll see and interact with a living world, right down to the individually rendered blades of grass on the pitch.
  
• New Presentation:
  Go beyond broadcast with the all new intuitive gameplay interface. The integration of this new menu system lets matches flow seamlessly while the player makes tactical changes and substitutions on the fly.
  
• Road to the FIFA World Cup Mode:
  Take part in the European Qualification rounds for the World Cup or create your own custom tournaments. FIFA 06 Road to FIFA World Cup gives you the opportunity to admire the detail of 72 teams, 1,700 players in nine different stadiums from Europe and the rest of the world.
  
• Online:
  Enjoy the ultimate in online play using the Xbox 360 system’s native multiplayer technology. Play gamers from all around the world in instant peer-to-peer matches with minimum effort.

By Vaughn Smith
CCC Site Director

Rating out of 5 FIFA '06 Road to the World Cup (Xbox 360) 3.9 Graphics High res is nice and the new animations are welcome, but sometimes the visuals of the players are downright creepy. 4.0 Control Easy to pick up play but the AI can be daunting and scoring a goal can be almost impossible. 3.8 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting Great commentary but as usual, repeats eventually diminish the appeal. 3.0 Online Good luck trying to find someone to play against. 2.0 Play Value Compared to the Xbox and PS2 versions, this game is a skeleton...on a diet! It's had the heart and soul removed. Forget about playing the World Cup too..you can only qualify! Buy the full-fledged version! 3.2 Overall Rating - Fair Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.