Soccer Game Round Up

We take a look at five top soccer videogames to keep you busy over the next few months.

With this year's World Cup a distant, cold memory, players like Ronaldinho and Rooney have gone back to their day jobs of winning glory for their club. With today's release of next-gen versions FIFA 07 and PES6, the football videogame season is well and truly underway - particularly for Xbox 360 players, who get the best version of each game with no PlayStation 3 versions on the horizon as yet.

But there are a few other games for fans to look out for as well. In this feature we take a quick look at what's what in soccer gaming for the few months.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (PC, PS2, X360, DS, PSP)

The Pro Evolution Soccer series is renowned for its realism, and PES6 is abundant with new gameplay additions. Player AI has been massively upgraded, with players running intelligently into space when not in possession of the ball and pointing where they want the pass placed to continue the attack. Similarly, the physical side of play has been refined, with players working to turn a defender as they receive the ball, while defenders must learn to stand off slightly to prevent such moves.

Konami has also worked to refine the shooting system of the new game, and players will be able to attempt more snap shots than in previous versions, while volleys and half-volleys have been redesigned. Other new moves include the ability to retain control of the ball when sliding in to tackle, while all-new feints and backwards dribbling are now available thanks to the improved dribbling controls, and headers have been changed to allow players more movement in the way their strikers jump and head the ball.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 also has a number of new teams licensed for inclusion, with the International roster now featuring the official kits for Argentina, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Sweden. Other new additions include more balanced referees, and a selection of new gameplay modes.

FIFA 07 (All Formats)

Unsurprisingly, FIFA 07 delivers authenticity with licenses for all the world's top leagues, including MLS and Mexican 1st Division in North America, and 26 others from over 20 nations.

This year, players have the power to shape their club's destiny in Interactive Leagues, a new online mode that enables you to pit your club against supporters of your real-world opponents. The Interactive Leagues feature the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League and Mexican 1st Division. You can even play your games according to the real-world schedule - when they play, you play.

This year, new intelligent A.I. ensures that your 11 men on the pitch make realistic decisions finding space and passing like professionals. A complete overhaul of the game engine now means that you have to employ real world tactics, make split-second decisions and think like a player in order to win matches. Players jostle and collide realistically while trying to win balls and football's biggest stars come to life with signature moves and authentic playing styles.

A more sophisticated shooting mechanic that gives players greater control to produce finesse shots, for pin-point accuracy or powerful laces shots, and there's also the ability to apply topspin or backspin to the ball for more creative set-pieces.

Football Manager 2007 (PC, PSP, X360, Mac)

Of course, football management games seem as popular as simulation-based titles these days, and a healthy, competitive pairing of titles are also breaking through defence to get your attention this year.

Football Manager 2007 is undoubtedly the best version of Football Manager to date, with a lot of care taken to make it as user-friendly as possible, and adding a plethora of new features to please long term fans.

Developed by Sports Interactive, the original creators of the now-rival Championship Manager series, FM2007 delivers all-new features, improved gameplay and impressive level of depth, and is even available in a handheld-only edition for PSP - Football Manager Handheld.

Feeder Clubs - Brand new to Football Manager 2007, and one of the most requested features on Sports Interactive's forums has been the addition of feeder clubs to the game. This new addition works in all the ways you would expect it to in real life. You can establish your club as the small team who receives loan players from a larger club or a large club looking for support getting your youngsters match experience by loaning them out.

Championship Manager 2007 (PC)

Eidos Interactive's Championship Manager 2007 is the other option for would-be managers, developed by London-based Beautiful Game Studios. CM2007 is a totally new iteration of the best-selling football management simulation.

Championship Manager 2007 has a completely new look with new skins, menu shortcuts and a dynamic side bar, all ensuring that every gaming taste is catered for. The introduction of an International Management option enables players to manage their country and be a part of the biggest football tournament in the world.

An innovative new Match Analysis Tool is an 'under the bonnet' reveal of statistical information relevant to every player and every game including; goals scored, runs made and shots/passes/tackles made or failed. This offers each manager a true representation of the information on offer to top-flight football managers.

Managers will now be able to praise and criticise players in a brand new team talks feature and give individual instructions to players either pre-match or at half time and receive staff feedback on performances.

Sensible World of Soccer (Xbox Live Arcade)

And finally, the Pelé of football games is on its way as well. Codemasters and Microsoft have teamed up for classic, online-enabled football gaming with Sensible World of Soccer for Xbox Live Arcade.

A dedicated Live Arcade edition of Sensible World of Soccer, the true sequel to the classic lightning-fast football game of the 1990s, is now in development and will arrive early in 2007.

Based on the classic 1994 Amiga title, Sensible World of Soccer will capture the original's entire world of football, mixing management with super-fast match action and featuring teams and divisions from around the globe.

It is also confirmed that the Xbox Live Arcade edition will take the ultimate football kickabout online, enabling players to compete head-to-head in matches, friendlies, tournaments, and custom leagues over Xbox Live. The off-line game will further offer the classic twenty-season career mode, which gives gamers the opportunity to play as thousands of different teams.

The Xbox Live Arcade edition will also enable players to switch between visuals refined for Xbox 360, with a high-def display up to 720p, and the original game's retro visuals.

Kikizo Staff