FIFA Soccer 2002: Major League Soccer (2001)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

FIFA Soccer 2002: Major League Soccer: A Nostalgic Journey into the Early Days of Football Gaming

Released in 2001, FIFA Soccer 2002: Major League Soccer (known as FIFA Football 2002 in Europe and FIFA 2002: Road to FIFA World Cup in Japan) marked a significant milestone in the evolution of football video games. Developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports, FIFA 2002 was the ninth installment in the popular FIFA series and introduced several innovative features that would shape the future of the franchise.

Gameplay Enhancements: Precision and Control

FIFA 2002 introduced a number of gameplay enhancements that aimed to provide a more realistic and challenging football experience. One of the most notable changes was the introduction of power bars for passes, giving players greater control over the strength and accuracy of their passes. This added a new layer of strategy to the game, as players had to carefully consider the power and direction of their passes to avoid over-hitting or under-hitting them.

Another key gameplay improvement was the reduction of dribbling effectiveness. In previous FIFA games, dribbling was a dominant strategy that allowed players to easily weave through opposing defenses. In FIFA 2002, however, dribbling was toned down, making it more difficult for players to rely solely on this tactic. This forced players to adopt a more balanced approach to attacking, utilizing a combination of passing, dribbling, and shooting.

Immersive Atmosphere: Club Emblems and Licensed Content

FIFA 2002 also made significant strides in terms of immersion and authenticity. For the first time, the game featured club emblems for many more European clubs, including major Dutch clubs such as PSV, AFC Ajax, and Feyenoord. This added a greater sense of realism to the game, as players could now represent their favorite clubs with accurate branding.

In addition to club emblems, FIFA 2002 also included a card reward system licensed from Panini. After winning a particular competition, players would unlock a star player card featuring a famous footballer. This added an element of collection and achievement to the game, as players strived to complete their Panini card collection.

Bonus Features: International Friendlies and World Cup Hype

FIFA 2002 included a unique bonus game that allowed players to improve the FIFA ranking of their chosen nation from among those that had automatically qualified for the 2002 World Cup (France, Japan, and South Korea). This mode provided an opportunity for players to experience international football and prepare their teams for the upcoming World Cup tournament.

Legacy and Impact: A Foundation for the Future

FIFA Soccer 2002: Major League Soccer played a pivotal role in the development of the FIFA series and football video games as a whole. Its gameplay enhancements, immersive atmosphere, and innovative bonus features set a new standard for football gaming and laid the groundwork for future installments in the series.

While the game’s graphics and gameplay may seem dated by today’s standards, FIFA 2002 remains a nostalgic favorite among fans of the series. It captures the essence of early 2000s football gaming and provides a glimpse into the evolution of one of the most popular video game franchises of all time.

Additional Notable Features:

  • The inclusion of the Swiss Super League, at the cost of excluding the Greek League.
  • The absence of official licenses for many international teams, leading to the use of generic player names and numbers.
  • The introduction of a customizable power bar to suit the gamer’s preferences.
  • The removal of the Dutch league, with Dutch clubs placed under the “Rest of World” header.
  • The last FIFA edition (not counting World Cup versions) to feature the Japanese national team, due to exclusive rights being granted to Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer series.
  • The final FIFA game to feature a single player on the cover (Hidetoshi Nakata) until Lionel Messi appeared alone on FIFA 13.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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