The gameplay supports the slow, methodical play typical of World Cup matches
in which the ball is constantly passed around while waiting for an opening to
the goal to present itself. In this the computer has an advantage as it is
controlling all of its players at once while you can only control one. As a
result your teammates seem a little slow to react to the passes and have a
little more difficulty getting open. I also encountered an occasional
frustrating bug while playing. In one case I was tackled from behind and then to
add insult to injury the game awarded the kick to the other team. In spite of
all this you’ll still have your share of opportunities on goal and most matches
will play out with scores that are in line with those of real world World Cup
matches.
The game supports other modes as well. One is a penalty shoot-out mode that
lets you recreate the tension of the shooter-on-goalie duel. Far more
interesting is the Challenge Mode which recreates memorable historic World Cup
games and then challenges you to match or beat the real life result. For
example, you may be placed into the second half of a match down by one goal and
tasked with pulling out the win. Completing the challenge will award you with a
bronze medal for the challenge, with silver and gold level medals awarded for
meeting additional challenges like winning by two goals instead of one. This
mode is indeed challenging as there is only the default difficulty setting for
these matches and it’s not set to an easy level.
The game also supports play over Xbox Live, but this aspect of the game is
disappointing. The game lobbies and player matching are only rudimentary and the
games are so lag-filled that they are more frustrating than fun. Don’t expect to
represent your country online in a virtual World Cup.
2006 FIFA World Cup is not the best playing soccer game to date, but if
you’re looking to play along with the real World Cup it will fit the bill. Once
the confetti settles in Germany, though, it’s doubtful that the game will be
able to hold your interest for a long time to come. It’s not a bad game per se;
it’s just not world class.
In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated:
70%. 2006 FIFA World Cup is like watching
a tie game – fun at times but ultimately unsatisfying.
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