Best FIFA to date, but gameplay is still short of Winning Eleven.
-Improved gameplay (over previous FIFAs)
-Interesting challenges
-Top-notch graphics, sound, and all the licensing features
Bad:
-Gameplay problems
---Players sprint faster with the ball than without ---Goalkeepers are alternatively superhuman and super-terrible (they dive before you even start to kick the ball one moment and then flub a less than menacing 25-yard shot the next)
---Defenders and GKs are way too passive, which allows you to skate in on goal too easily
---Too many rebound goals
---First touch/passing accuracy is too good, especially for mediocre players
-Burdensome player editing menu
-Lack of a number of World Cup national teams
-Rigid/Limit formation options
This game offers a lot, but still falls short of the authentic gameplay I need to keep me playing until next year's version. I love Winning Eleven because nearly every goal is different--just like in real life--and you can score some truly great goals. Although FIFA 07 offers a definite improvement over previous versions, goals are still too similar. Additionally, out of maybe 100 goals, there has been only one goal that I was proud of and actually wanted to watch the replay. Winning Eleven allows me to juke, chip, or blast my way too goals I will save and watch again. While FIFA offers the cool trick button feature, the inability of strikers to hit the corners and the superhuman reflexes of GKs often negates potential wonder goals. Additionally, build-up play is too repetitive. In Winning Eleven, I have to use a variety of attacks (i.e. methodical build-up vs. direct, through-ball vs. cross, passing vs. dribbling, etc.) to beat a team's tactics. In FIFA, I find myself doing the same thing over and over. Win it in the back or midfield, go wide then back to my attacking midfielder (who often has way too much space), play a through ball to my forwards, dribble around in the box until I get the right angle, score.
Finally, single-player FIFA is too easy. I jumped into the career mode right away (with previous FIFA experience little practice is needed), I lost my second game, and drew a couple others, but now--just 30 games into the season--I am winning most games 4 or 5 to nil on World Class. I like to win, but seriously. Plus, I have never had less than 65% of the possession. Can't the computer pass and dribble, even a little?
Overall, FIFA is moving in the right direction, but it still can't match Winning Eleven for authentic gameplay.