FIFA 2002 Critic Reviews

An absolutely gorgeous game, packing in fantastic animations, lavish player models, and stadiums with cool details like flags waving in the stands.

Perhaps most impressive are the stellar animations. I don’t want to exaggerate, but the animation is perhaps the best of any sports game currently on the PS2.

For the authenticity sticklers, you'll be blown away.

And while "Pro Evolution Soccer" could well reclaim its place at the summit shortly, for now FIFA 2002 - both for playability and aesthetically - is the champion of football games.

FIFA 2002 has consciously observed the strategy and brilliant mix of simulation and arcade gameplay within Konami’s ISS series and, in doing so, has made the FIFA series infinitely more approachable for the gamer who would never look at the licensed game, preferring to bury himself in ISS.

With the addition of enhanced graphics, as well as an all-new passing system, fans of soccer will find that this latest FIFA game is the most challenging, most realistic, and also the greatest yet.

The result is a next generation soccer game that is enjoyable to play and more importantly, an accurate simulation of how the game is actually played by the pros.

The thing that stands out the most is the commentary, which is usually a weak part to most sports games.

It still has some ways to go before it replaces Konami's series in the hearts and minds of many soccer diehards, but as is FIFA Soccer 2002 is a splendid soccer title.

The best soccer game available. Despite the control flaws and graphic blemishes this game is a marvelous presentation of soccer, albeit slightly watered down for the masses.

The most authentic feeling (not to mention the prettiest) soccer sim on the market.

What makes Fifa stand out the most is the fact that they're so many options and tournaments to choose from that I lost count.

The simple fact that you must now “work” to get a pass through really makes the game lean more toward the simulation nature. Passes no longer go directly to the teammate but rather in the general area, which reminds me of real soccer games.

All of the changes that they’ve made have come through, and whilst it may not play as realistically as Pro Evolution Soccer, the overall feel is more akin to the proper game then previous versions.

FIFA still does soccer best, but there is room for improvement.

Fifa 2002 certainly isn’t as bad as last year’s version, but when push comes to illegal slide tackle, it’s not a great deal better and still doesn’t even come close to "ISS PE1" let alone "ISSPE2" in terms of realism, depth, and fun-factor, and both of those games are for the PSOne!

FIFA 2002 might be deeper, but it isn't more fun. The rich gameplay is negated by clumsy implementation, shabby player models and lack of visual finesse.