FIFA 07

A Game of Two Eras

FIFA 07 represented a clear split in development philosophy for its generation. While versions for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PC, and handhelds built upon the established formula, the Xbox 360 version was a ground-up rebuild. EA Canada developed a new sports engine exclusively for the Xbox 360, focusing on improved graphics, physics, and controls. This ambitious move, however, came with a major trade-off. The new engine's development time was so extensive that the Xbox 360 version launched with a severely reduced number of leagues, featuring only seven compared to the 27 available on other platforms. One of these seven leagues contained only a single team, Juventus. According to producer Jean-Charles Gaudechon, EA was not able to implement everything due to the time spent on the new engine. This created a distinct experience where next-generation visuals and physics were balanced against a more limited and incomplete selection of teams and leagues.

The core game across most platforms promised complete authenticity with licenses for all the world's top leagues, including MLS and the Mexican First Division in North America, and 26 others from over 20 nations. The total of 27 leagues was supplemented by an International league with licensed national teams and a Rest of World league with other notable clubs. A key new feature was the EA Sports Interactive Leagues, an online mode that allowed players to compete in leagues that mirrored real-world schedules for competitions like the English Premier League, Bundesliga, French League, and the Mexican First Division. This mode enabled supporters to play their virtual matches when their real-world clubs were playing, with aggregate results determining the online league table.

Gameplay Evolution and New Features

FIFA 07 aimed for greater on-pitch realism through several key improvements designed to make players think and act like professionals. The game introduced new intelligent AI to ensure that the eleven men on the pitch made realistic decisions, finding space and passing intelligently. A complete overhaul of the game engine meant players had to employ real-world tactics and make split-second decisions to win matches. Physical interactions were enhanced, with players jostling and colliding more realistically while competing for the ball.

The game also focused on player individuality, with the world's superstars coming to life through signature moves and authentic playing styles. The shooting mechanic was made more sophisticated, giving players greater control to produce finesse shots. A new addition was the ability to apply topspin or backspin to the ball during set-pieces, allowing for more creative free-kicks and crosses. The Xbox 360 version included its own extras like a mini-game during loading screens and in the menu, dropping the player into a one-on-one face-off against the goalkeeper on a practice pitch. This version also collected more match data than previous iterations, enabling it to award a man of the match. It offered up-to-the-minute real-world results via a real-time news ticker, weekly podcasts, and detailed football stats and news available in five languages.

Critical Reception and Review Scores

FIFA 07 was met with generally favorable reception from critics, though scores varied significantly by platform. Aggregate review scores were strongest for the legacy console versions. The Xbox version received scores of 85.48% on GameRankings and 85 out of 100 on Metacritic. The PlayStation 2 version followed closely with 81.40% and 82 out of 100. The PSP version scored 79.36% and 80 out of 100, while the PC version garnered 77.77% and 78 out of 100. The GameCube version received 77.19% and 80 out of 100.

The next-generation Xbox 360 version, despite its new engine, received notably lower aggregate scores of 74.05% and 73 out of 100, likely reflecting criticism over its limited content. The Nintendo DS version scored 63% and 72 out of 100. The Game Boy Advance port was critically panned, with scores averaging 30.50% and 41 out of 100, marking it as the weakest version by a significant margin. The game's soundtrack was particularly praised, winning IGN's Game of the Year 2006 award for Best Licensed Soundtrack on Xbox 360 and receiving a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack at the Interactive Achievement Awards.

Commercial Success and Awards

Commercially, FIFA 07 was a major hit across the globe. It became the seventh fastest-selling game of all time in the United Kingdom across all formats. In the UK, the PlayStation 2 version earned a Double Platinum sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association for sales of at least 600,000 copies. The PSP release received a Platinum certification for sales of at least 300,000 copies in the region. By March 2007, Ron Moravek, Vice President and CEO at Electronic Arts Canada, reported that FIFA 07 had sold six million copies worldwide.

The game's quality was recognized with several industry awards and nominations. IGN named it the Game of the Year 2006 for Best Sports Game on both Xbox and PC. TeamXbox similarly awarded it Game of the Year 2006 for Best Sports Game on Xbox. At the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, FIFA 07 received nominations for Sports Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack. The PlayStation 2 version was also nominated for The PC World Gamers Award at the 2007 BAFTA Video Game Awards.

Platform Legacy, Commentary, and Sponsorship

FIFA 07 holds a particular place in gaming history as the last mainline entry in the series released for the Nintendo GameCube, the original Xbox, and the Game Boy Advance. For the Xbox 360, it was the third FIFA title on the platform but the first in the main annual series, following two standalone World Cup games: FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The game featured a commentary team that varied by platform. Andy Gray provided commentary across all versions. Martin Tyler was exclusive to the Xbox 360 version, while Clive Tyldesley commentated on all other editions. For Mexican Spanish audiences, commentary was provided by Enrique Bermúdez and Ricardo Peláez. A demo for the game was made available on Xbox Live Marketplace on October 6, 2006. In a real-world crossover, FIFA 07 sponsored English football club Accrington Stanley for the 2006–07 season, with the game's logo displayed on the back of the team's shirts.

Soundtrack and Presentation

The audio presentation of FIFA 07 was a highlighted feature, receiving specific award recognition. The soundtrack was nominated for Best Licensed Soundtrack of 2006 at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. IGN awarded the Xbox 360 version's soundtrack its Game of the Year 2006 award for Best Licensed Soundtrack. The game's opening cinematic was a polished montage setting the tone for the football season, a staple of the series' presentation. The overall package, combining the licensed music, varied commentary teams, and the new visual engine on Xbox 360, contributed to the game's atmosphere of authenticity and broad appeal, helping it stand out in a competitive year for sports games.