• ID = PS0281
• STYLE = Soccer
• DEV. = EA Canada
• PUB. = EA SPORTS
• R-DATE = Nov-03-2003
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1-4 players
• LIST PRICE = $29.99
  

Manufacturer's Description:
FIFA Soccer 2004 is the most complete and authentic soccer experience for true soccer fans. This year's action is deeper than ever with advanced levels of player detail and responsiveness. Plus, a new Career Mode gives you the chance to take a team from the lower divisions, battle through ranks, sign new players, and turn them into champions. With immersive atmospheres, total realism with the world’s premier clubs, and industry-leading gameplay, FIFA Soccer 2004 returns as the true authority in soccer gaming.

Groundbreaking Gameplay:
FIFA 2004 offers a fine-tuned game engine, and new animations dramatically enhance the smoothness in player movement through organic motion.

Off the Ball Control:
Take command of players not in possession of the ball. Call in tackles, jostle for space, lose your marker, and send players on runs at the touch of a button.

Play With The Best:
More than 500 official licenses, including 18 leagues, 500 teams and 10,000 players are available.

EA SPORTS Online Competition:
It's a game with no boundaries when you go online. Take on opponents close to your skill level via EA SPORTS online.

The big innovation this time round is the off-the-ball feature, and this really is a stroke of genius. It's fiddly to get to grips with, but basically when attacking, you can control a separate player as they run into space, ready to take receipt of a killer pass that splits the opposition defence open. It takes a little working at, but when it comes off, you'll be smug beyond belief. The feature itself genuinely adds tactical edge to a game that used to be wrongly dismissed as an arcade-style kickabout.

On top of that, there are the things that FIFA does better than anyone. The presentation, audio and visuals are superb from top to bottom, and the improvements to the club management side boost the game's longevity--as does a promised link up with Total Club Manager 2004 , where you'll be able to import teams from that into FIFA 2004 .

Most importantly of all, at the heart of all these improvements is a highly playable football game that's very easy to get into yet suitably challenging to master. And in multi-player mode, it's even better. -- Simon Brew

• Left Analog Stick == move player
• Circle Button == shoot
• L1 + R2 Button == walk
• X Button == pass
• Square Button == chip shot, cross from wing
• Triangle button == through ball
• R1 Button == sprint
• L1 + X Button + X, Triangle or Square Button == one-two
• Right Analog Stick == skill move
• L2 + R2 Button == activate IGM
• Start Button == pause

• Left Analog Stick == move player
• X Button == switch players
• Circle Button == tackle, contain
• Square Button == aggressive slide tackle
• R1 Button == sprint
• Start Button == pause

• Left Analog Stick == move, aim kick or throw
• X Button == throw
• X + L1 Button == throw long
• Circle or Square Button == high kick
• Triangle Button == drop ball

FIFA SOCCER 2004 HINTS AND TIPS
From the manufacturer:

• Slow down! FIFA Soccer 2004 is a different game. Make sure you plan ahead and use sprint when the opportunity presents itself.
• Use the L2 button when crossing for inch perfect ball into the box.
• Use the L2 button when close to the halfway line for the perfect view of your attacking options.
• Don't hold down the right stick for too long – hit L2, select your player, flick the stick in the desired direction and pass the ball into space
• Modify the height of your through ball using the R2 button – R2 will give the ball a lower trajectory.
• Slow the game down by pressing the R2 button, giving you more time to use the L2 button and send players on runs.