It’s World Cup fever as FIFA 14 gets a Brazilian makeover
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, EA’s World Cup edition of their popular franchise, is the third FIFA console game that we have been confronted with in the last seven months.
First we had the excellent FIFA 14 on the last-gen systems, then the Xbox One and PS4 versions with all their updated bells and whistles. Now we are back on the Xbox 360 and PS3 for this apparent retooling of FIFA 14 with a Brazilian festival atmosphere.
And what an atmosphere it is. All the usual rather reserved FIFA menus have been given a Mardi Gras make over. During dead ball situations the camera cuts to madcap supporters in the crowd with their crazy hats and fans watching the match on huge screens in their home countries.
The game faithfully recreates the 2014 World Cup Tournament with all the groups and teams that we will be watching play in Brazil later this year. There’s also the chance to change history and take the New Zealand national team through the qualifying stages in the “Road to the FIFA World Cup" game mode.
Being a FIFA game, the menus are packed with other ways to enjoy the beautiful game. “Kick Off” gets you straight into the game with a one-off friendly. Want to go it alone, well “Captain your Country” places you in control of one player in your team as you propel it to World Cup glory or a bitter defeat. There’s also a host of online modes to play with friends or random strangers over the internet.
Coming from a country that is often considered the home of football and living in a country the prefers to play its football with its hands, 2014 FIFA World Cup left me feeling rather homesick. Still, as a consolation, I was able to watch England win the World Cup, something that only happens in Englishman's dreams and EA’s FIFA World Cup games.
If you’ve transitioned to the PS4 or Xbox One I don’t think that you are going to have too much difficulty adjusting to the old game engine and graphical style. It still holds its own and looks very pretty. There’s a nice warm filter to the game’s lighting aptly simulating the Brazilian sun. There are also a few more animations; I particularly enjoyed watching my pasty-faced countrymen wiping their brows as they sweltered in the South American heat.
If you are getting excited about the approaching World Cup Tournament you need to pick up 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. The world’s greatest sporting tournament awaits you.
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is out now on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
8.5/10
