FIFA World Cup 98
(Review as featured in APC July 1998.)

With the 1998 World Cup upon us it is fitting that a computer game based on this prestigious tournament should be on the market. EA Sports has spent more than a year developing this latest instalment of its FIFA soccer series. The last one was Road to World Cup (RTWC), and although World Cup 98 retains the gameplay engine that made playing RTWC so enjoyable, there are quite a few improvements.

 

FIFA World Cup 98
By EA Sports

 

 

The 32 teams that have made it into the World Cup finals are all represented, as well as an additional eight teams, including our failed Socceroos. So you can take control of our national team and make up for that disappointing loss to Iran. When you win a World Cup, a bonus feature is enabled which allows you to play eight classic finals matches — a nice touch for sentimental soccer fans. wc1min.jpg (4110 bytes)

Controlling your players is fairly easy; you will have no trouble defeating teams at Amateur level. Scoring goals in the Professional or World-Class difficulty levels can be arduous at times, but they are definitely more rewarding; you may even like to get up and dance a silly jig like the players on the screen.

The graphics are superb and sometimes you feel like you are actually in one of the 10 stadiums in France. The towering stands filled with cheering fans add to the atmosphere of each game, while details such as players dusting themselves off after a tackle make playing the game that little bit more authentic.

Adding to the commercial experience of any sporting event is the enormous number of ads around the stadiums. Everyone from McDonalds to Adidas has their name plastered on the sidelines.
wc2min.jpg (7096 bytes)

The game's commentary is provided by a couple of English blokes, with special comments from two popular former English footballers, Chris Waddle and Gary Lineker.

Multiplayer games can be played with up to eight other gamers on a LAN, or head-to-head via modem.

The big question for soccer fans who have already purchased RTWC is whether to fork out another $90 for this one. Unless EA Sports offer an attractive cash-back offer for RTWC owners, I wouldn't bother.

By Kieran McNamee

 

FIFA World Cup 98

 

Download the version for your operating system here:

Win95
(16,418K)
Classification: G
Rating: score_4.gif (1372 bytes)
Description: Superbly animated soccer simulation very realistically based on the players, teams, locations and matches of the France 98 World Cup.
Requirements: Pentium 166, Windows 95, 32M RAM, 120M hard disk space, 8x CD-ROM drive
Install instructions: Internet Explorer users just click on the file and choose Open to run the setup program straight from the CD. Netscape users download to your local drive and run the EXE file.
Links online: http://www.easports.com

© Australian Consolidated Press 1998. All rights reserved.