This is frustrating. Every World Cup year, EA Sports releases a "World Cup" version of its regular FIFA game with additional bells and whistles. Instead of doing one solid product like in non-cup years, it would appear that even the videogame industry is out to milk every cent they can garner from the game playing public. Having that said, 2002 FIFA World Cup is a solid experience for the hardcore soccer fan and the must have title to play while watching this year's World Cup unfold on television.

The visual presentation here is masterful. Every fine detail has been overlooked and included in the game. Players are met with excited crowds with thousands of fans sporting team colours, country specific chants, and explosions of special effects including lasers, confetti, streamers and flags. Each stadium is beautifully re-created from their real-life counterparts. The player models are very well done as you can easily recognize many of the world's top players. Player animations are also solid and feature new player-to-player animations which result in aggressive jostling for the ball both on the ground and in the air. New camera angles and replays capture the World Cup intensity through missed shots, fouls, and focusing on player facial animations. It is quite painful to watch players grimace and fall to their knees in frustration after missing a golden opportunity. Round the visual and aural presentation off with FIFA key dramatic World Cup moments, replays, original scores performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and special effects. While the voice work is competent, Andy Grey and John Motson soon tire with repetitive commentary. It would be great if EA Sports could get both back in the studio for many more sessions.

Gameplay has never been an issue for EA Sports but rather than sit back on its laurels, the developers pushed forward to refine the physics and improve the passing system which now rewards accuracy and practice over aggressiveness and blind button mashing. The play is similar to this year's FIFA 2002: Road To The World Cup with the addition of 'Air Play" which delivers intuitive one-button headers, volleys, scissor kicks, juggling and more. The game is definitely easy to pick up and play for anyone. This bodes well as the most fun to be had with this game is surrounded by friends. We can only imagine what 2006 World Cup will be like when we can play online against anyone in the world.

The value ranking on this game depends on how you look at it. There are only two modes of play: Friendly and World Cup. As mentioned already, these modes could have been easily integrated in Road To The World Cup but instead you are now forced to purchase two games. Once you have played through the tournament and won the cup, there will be little incentive to go through it again. This is primarily a multiplayer game. Even though EA Sports threw in some bonus materials which include video montages of behind the scenes in making the game and world reaction the World Cup in general, they come no where close to the content that was included with SSX Tricky or Triple Play 2002.

If you want to experience the glory of the World Cup this summer then 2002 FIFA World Cup is a must have. It is the only interactive soccer game licensed to use the official FIFA World Cup, insignia, mascots and the 20 new World Cup stadiums spread throughout Japan and Korea. If you do not need the license then you may find simulating a tournament easier on the likes of World Tour Soccer 2002 by 989 Sports.