UEFA Euro 2008
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, PC
Rating: E � Everyone
Game type: sports
**** (out of 5)
What�s the premise?
With the Euro Cup, soccer�s second biggest international tournament, just days away pick your side and take them to the championship. Played every four years, in between the World Cup, the European Football Championship has 52 teams qualify for 16 spots in the final tournament. You can take a squad through a complete qualification campaign or just play the Euro itself. The Captain Your Country mode allows you to create a player and compete to make your country�s team and eventual captain of the squad.
This game is most similar to�
2006 FIFA World Cup, FIFA 08
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
The violence in soccer -- in video games at least -- is minimal, especially compared to football or hockey. There won�t be any head butts in this game. However, younger kids might not have the patience to play such a realistic version of soccer where scoring is low and patience is required to be successful..
One player or more?
You can play by yourself against the computer or with up to 3 friends. Perhaps the most intriguing idea is the the multiplayer setup, which EA is calling the Battle of Nations. You can play in a 16-team single elimination tournament where every game you play online earns points for your country. You pick a European country to represent but you don�t have to play exclusively with that team.
What�s missing?
At the end of the day this game is a slightly improved version of FIFA 08 with a gimmick. If you have bought that version you may feel slightly ripped off.
The (not-so) secret to success is�
Don�t expect your teammates to do much for you, either on offence or defence. You can�t just remain a forward and expect your defence to take the ball from the other team for you. However, Be A Pro mode, which allows you to select a player and stick with them through the whole game, gives you that feel is quite well done and lots of fun.
And in the end?
Say you're a fan of England, and your team failed to qualify for the Euros. This gives you a chance to re-write history, but most soccer gamers will probably opt for FIFA 08 and its 600 plus teams.
See Also
