First of all, I need to state clearly that I only got to play the current-gen version of FIFA 07 (more specifically, the one for PlayStation 2). Even though I tried to find out some more on the PS3 and X360 ports, the EA staff didn't want to share us any information concerning the subject.

For its latest footie game, EA has listened to its fans, which resulted in some noticeable changes. According to producer Jean-Charles Gaudechon, FIFA 07 focuses on two pillars; delivering a stunning gameplay experience and offering an excellent excellent onlinde mode.

To smoothen the game, about 1500 new animations have been added, an entirely new passing/shooting mechanic has been developed and ball physics have been greatly improved. The ball is now heavier and doesn't 'float' as much as before. A lot of depth has been added to shooting and passing the ball. With the L2 and R2 buttons (on the PS2 controller) you can now add some subtle touches. Still, I have to say I didn't really use these new gimmicks, not even after an entire afternoon of playtesting. A very important change is that every player now has a preferred foot, be it left or right. E.g. someone like Ronaldinho will score quicker and control the ball easier with his right foot than his left.

The pace of the game has been cranked up a bit, which is a definite improvement over the last few FIFAs. Some work has been done on balancing offence versus defense. Defenders have grown a bit smarter, which puts the gameplay emphasis on searching open space and giving clever passes. In theory, the goal keepers are now more intelligent. Playing the game, however, showed that keepers can still do incredibly stupid things, which resulted in some incredible goals (scoring from 30 meters/ 100 feet away occured on several occasions). Still, I hope this thing is due to the early preview code and will be solved later on. Still, in general, it's harder to score, because keepers come up with a lot of saves.

FIFA 07's second pillar is the online mode. The biggest change in this year's edition will be the 'interactive leagues'. In Germany, England, France and -sigh- Mexico players can pick their favourite team and play that club's next match one week in advance. If you happen to be a fan of Manchester United, you can play Man U's next match in the week before the real showdown. The nice thing about this is, the league standings can differ from real life. If the majority of the Man U gamers wins their match, their team will get 3 points, even if the real Manchester loses or ends up with a draw.

Unfortunately, at this point, there won't be a UEFA Cup or Champions' League though. Still, with the new online mode players should become attached to the game, which will also strengthen the community spirit. There is even an 'emotional engine' in 07. For example, if the home team is behind by 0-3, the crowd will clearly show its disdain. Of course, if you play well, they'll do everything to push you forward.