A Howler of a Game

This game is one that was a tough decision on whether to buy because it is a "mid-season" EA Sports release, based on a game they released earlier in the year. I love the sport of soccer and the FIFA series of games that go with it, so I found myself purchasing the game without much thought. The game is based on the UEFA Champions League, a tournament that runs during the domestic season in Europe and is contested between the elite teams from each countries domestic league. The premise of the game gives a little promise, as there's no real Champions League in FIFA 07, but also limited because there's only so much you can do with a 32 team tournament.

Surprisingly, the lack of game modes isn't what kills the fun in this game, it's part of the equation, but doesn't do it by itself. EA added a couple extra things when it came to gameplay, but seemingly dumbed down the AI for your players and improved it for your opponents. Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of teams available. I half expected only the teams that qualified for the CL to be in there, but all the teams from Europe's top leagues are there (about 15 leagues).

Game Modes

The main game mode you will spend your time playing is called The Treble. It takes you through a season with the club of your choice with all the ups and downs of a season of real footy. You have to rotate your players due to Champions League, Domestic League, and Domestic Cup competitions, all while dealing with unhappy players, reserve players that begin playing well, and pleasing the chairman. Sometimes the mode can get frustrating because the computer puts you in impossible situations such as down 2 goals 80 minutes into the match. Overall, through, the Treble is fun for a while.

Other game modes really have failed to grab my attention at all. There is a mode where you can just play out the 32 team Champions League Tournament, but that's only fun once, if even that one time. There's also a mode that puts you into the position of teams in CL games past that were losing and you get to try to change history. That's about it.

Gameplay

The gameplay is very similar to FIFA 07 on the PS2 and X-Box with a few sutble changes. The updated system allows you to take quick Throw-ins, Free Kicks, Corner Kicks, and Goal Kicks. Only the quick throw-ins are a little bit useful, as the other ones really only spare you from seeing a cut scene. What is the most frustrating thing about the gameplay is the unbalanced AI. Your own players decide it's a good idea to run in front of you right before you shoot, your right and left backs attack too carelessly and are easily caught out of position, same with all your players that come up for a corner kick and the opposing team gets a breakaway because your players are too dumb to hustle back on D. It's also frustrating that the opposition can play amazing no-look 40-50 yard long balls and all the loose balls seem to go to them.

Graphics/Sound

UEFA Champions League's graphics are a strange combination of worse when it comes to the field and the players, but better when showing the stadium and the fans. The menu's really aren't the most visually appealing, either. Sounds are about the same as with most PS2 titles. The theme music played in the menu screens is quite average as well. The in game sounds such as the crowd cheering/booing, the ball hitting the post, and other sounds you'd normally hear during a soccer game.

Final Thoughts

UEFA Champions League is a below average game, one that I certainly wouldn't buy again. There's very little replay value because of the lack of game modes and flaws in gameplay. I often find myself playing FIFA 07 instead of this game. My final recommendation is to avoid this game unless you really like the Champions League and need the game, but otherwise, I would just stick with older FIFA games or wait for a new one to come out.