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GAME REVIEW Goal!Get a jump on the new season with popular FIFA title Review by Terry Saunders and Matt Leppard Game: FIFA 2003
What's it about? Well, this is a soccer game. You kick a ball to one end of the playing field with the intention of hitting it into the back of the net. Of course, there is more to this game. With FIFA 2003 you have access to 450 teams and more than 10,000 individual players modelled on a real-life players. The game also features accurate stadium settings, full home and away uniforms and authentic cup competitions and tournaments. Playing the game
However, when compared with 2002 FIFA World Cup, it's a case of one step forward and another step back. For example, on the positive side there is more advanced artificial intelligence for your opposition, although that doesn't necessarily apply to your own defenders. Missing a tackle will leave the opposing striker speeding into your penalty box with only the keeper to beat as your own players are left watching the ball. Another complaint is that characters are unaware of the sidelines. In 2002 FIFA World Cup, a reverse twist of the controller would enable a player to slide in an attempt to keep the ball in play, for some reason this is completely left out of FIFA 2003. There is also no training mode to practise your soccer skills. The final verdict
One of the best parts of FIFA 2003 is that while they have toned down the trickery and often unrealistic fun-style gameplay of 2002 FIFA World Cup, they have managed to raise the level of realism to new heights. Beating the game brings out a sense of achievement and satisfaction not seen in earlier versions. For serious football gamers into the more tactical style of play, it's still the best PC football game out there. But then again, it's practically the only PC football game out there. Hints and tips You will probably want to visit the official EA Sports site at www.fifafootball2003.ea.com, that's if you can make it work (we couldn't when we visited). Failing that, there is the always reliable Game Spot at www.gamespot.com, although this site is full of ads which you have to sit through before you get to the main screen. Alternatively, try the instant cheats at www.cheatheaven.co.uk/pc-cheats-1/fifa2003.htm. Vocabulary intention (n): what you plan to do; your aim Idioms one step forward and another step back = when you achieve something but then something goes wrong that sets you back
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Anybody
who's into soccer or sports and owns a PC or game console will have
played one of the FIFA games. Now, after last year's double football
release of FIFA 2002 and 2002 FIFA World Cup, it's now time for the
2003 version. 
Just
as 2002 FIFA World Cup was an improvement on the regular FIFA title
and brought more of a sense of fun and trickery into the gameplay,
this year's release is also better than the 2002 version.
FIFA 2003 goes
for realism to break down defences. No Alan Shearer-like strikes
past the keeper from way outside the penalty area here. Most action
takes place in midfield as you weave about looking to pass or
send a teammate on a run to open up opposing defences.