This Is Football 2004

THE BAD:
-Loading Times
-Glitches
-Poor Online Connection
-Some Wrong Names
-Graphics
-Online Lag

SUMMARY:
I'd like to first of all state that graphics don't make the game. The gameplay is the biggest thing you should look for, so bear that in mind when purchasing This is Football. It does have it's flaws, and I'm disappointed by how rushed the game seems, but I still enjoy playing it. Maybe because it gives me a break from the completely different FIFA 2004 that I own, or maybe because I get to thrash a few gamers online, one in particular from neoseeker. That's what I love about the online though, with the headset compatible, it really makes you feel like you know who you're playing. The sad part is, the online connection is poor and occasionally you won't get connected on the first attempt. There's commentary, it's quite good as well, but not exactly top class. The things they say may get repetitive, but that's to be expected in every sports game.

Diving and handballing are two things I love about it as well, because it's missing in most football (soccer) games. To dive, simply press R2. Sometimes it works, but mostly you'll get booked for diving. Watch out though, when you don't have the ball and you press it, you'll hack him, and most likely get sent off. The skills you can do are fun as well, like doing a full turn on the ball, while it's moving. And the infamous stepover. The goalkeeper can make daring runs outside his area to his opponents if he wants, which I think is hilarious.

Loading times are terrible, I'm sure each player who owns this will agree. It takes almost two full minutes to get the game started, and that's just an estimate. Online and offline, it takes an age to get started. This game has a ton of glitches in it as well, I won't go into full detail, because it would take around five hours. It's seriously shoty in places. Like the players will seem invisible some times, or the ball will carry on going like you've never touched it at all. Not to be expected in a football Playstation 2 title.

They haven't got every name in the database either, for example, Arsenal are called Highbury and a few players listed below have different surnames. Holland are the worst for this, I think each player hasn't got their correct name.

-Hasselbaink
-Van. Nistelrooy
-De Boer

That's their real names, and just a few I can think of, off the top of my head. Their names on the game are something along the lines of Haslebank, Nistroy and De Boar. Still, there's an editor you can use to change this whenever you see fit. Graphics aren't too bad, it's just most of the players don't look like they would in real life. Apart from that, they seem fine. The lag online as well, it sucks..but enough about the cons, the game is good, trust me.

I suggest you rent it first, like I do with most games. I took a risk with this one and thankfully it paid off. Try buying Pro Evolution Soccer before this one though, as it's certainly the better of the two..