In the past FIFA has been a soccer video game with sub-par gameplay. This year however, the 2007 version blows past games out of the water. So many new features make the game a worth while investment; so lace your boots, put on your jerseys, and get pumped for this year’s best soccer game.

Upon purchasing the game, I thought to myself the gameplay better be improved. To my surprise, it was. In past games whenever a forward would push his way through the defense one on one, he would get stopped by an opposing defender. The only way to break the defense would be to have help from another forward on either side of you. That was then, 2007 is now. New and improved skills have been worked into the game so that now, you can work your way around a defender. Plus, FIFA 07 has added new passing, crossing, and free kick techniques. The creators of FIFA 07 (EA Sports) have also included a new ball spin feature as well. The ball bounces according to field conditions and player handling skills.

Another new thing that FIFA added this year was the Create a Club mode. A FIFA gamer can choose features that help them create their own club and everything about it. Create your own jerseys, players, and stadium to start your own personal dream of attaining the top spot in the league table.

The new FIFA 07 also includes new stadiums that were not on past games. The new stadiums include: Allianz Arena (FC Bayern Munich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), Wembley Stadium (England National Team), Olympiastadion (Hertha Berlin), Stadio Olimpico (AS Roma, Lazio), Veltins Arena (FC Schalke), and Ibrox Stadium (Rangers FC).

I also like what FIFA did with the whole Italian Serie A Scandal. They put Juventus exactly where they should be placed in Serie B Manager Mode. By doing this, it gives true Juventus fans a chance to get their team back to Serie A and gain a Champions League berth. The point relegation is not included in Juventus’ demotion, but you would still get back to Serie A if you were good enough because of the 42 game schedule.

FIFA also decided to go with a new interesting feature this year, the interactive online player mode. The mode allows you to take control of your favorite club and play the same matches they do in real life. You play against other people who take control of their favorite and play their team’s respective schedule. So if Arsenal plays Manchester United this weekend, you will play that same match. There is one bad thing about this mode though. It only includes the English Premiership, the Bundesliga, the French Ligue 1, and the Mexican League. So what about the other leagues FIFA? Are you just going to tell me that a Real Madrid or Barcelona fan can’t play on this mode because you didn’t put it on the game? Horrible decision by EA Sports. How can you have this feature and not include some of the world’s top leagues like the Italian Serie A and the Spanish La Liga? It’s like bringing 4 cup cakes to class when there are 20 other students. Not everyone will get a dessert, so you look like an idiot. The idiot in this case is FIFA 07 for not including all the best leagues in the mode.

All in all, FIFA 07 has improved tremendously this year. The gameplay is terrific, possibly on par with Winning Eleven. Sponsorships are more represented then ever in this game, as FIFA 07 dominates the licensing world of soccer. The price has also dropped for the game by $10.00. If you have $40.00 bucks and you love the world of soccer, go out and buy FIFA 07 (here’s a link to purchase it at Amazon).

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5.