Introduction

FIFA Football 2002, or FIFA Soccer 2002: Major League Soccer as it's known on this side of the world, came barging into the console market like a footballer ready to take a penalty kick - with just as much trepidation and more than a few unnecessary dives. Released in late 2001, this edition of the FIFA series decided to shake things up a bit - for better or worse. But let's kick off this review, shall we?

Gameplay

The gameplay in FIFA 2002 is a bit like trying to ride a unicycle on an obstacle course: it has its high and low points. It introduced a power bar for passes, which, if you're anything like me, leads to a lot of missed opportunities, as you're probably yelling, 'No! Not like that!' This mechanism allows players to customize their shot strength, making it both a blessing and a curse. Infuriatingly satisfying! Dribbling has been toned down, which might satisfy football purists but was about as welcome as a fly in a soup for those of us who enjoyed marching up and down the field waving our joystick like a one-man marching band. The good news? The Road to the World Cup mode is back, letting you relive the highs (or lows) of qualifying, if you can avoid the urge to throw your controller at the TV during intense moments. Though many teams were not licensed, which means playing as the Netherlands is going to be a lot less exciting when they're called 'Orange Trenchfoot' instead, the game does feature more clubs and even adds a card reward system licensed from Panini (yes, the sticker company). Collect 'em all and pray you don't end up with 20 duplicates like those unsellable Pokémon cards from your childhood.

Graphics

Visually, the game is like that one kid in school who starts out a little awkward and then suddenly hits that growth spurt. The graphics can be hit-or-miss, featuring lavish player models that sometimes move more like rigid mannequins on roller skates. Stadiums looked cool with waving flags, but if you squint hard enough, you might find the scenery holds up about as well as your grandma's wallpaper. On the PlayStation, it was ambitious, but let's just say it's no Last of Us in the aesthetic department.

Conclusion

In summary, FIFA 2002 managed to net itself a decent score in the virtual football world. It's not without its blunders, and it's certainly not going to replace your favorite football simulation anytime soon, but it gives a solid kick and a few laughs along the way. The new features are an interesting take, even if they feel more clumsy than a giraffe on rollerblades. If you enjoyed previous iterations, you might just enjoy FIFA 2002 - but don't go expecting it to win the World Cup. More of a 'friendly match' type of affair.

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