EA Sports is well known for updating their sports games every year, each years' update throws in a couple new features, nothing that will rock the boat too much. With literally hundreds of teams to choose from and new game controls FIFA 06 gives you a whole new set of options that greatly improves upon the previous title while remaining one of the most detailed and graphically appealing sports game available.
It is the opinion of many, that sports games such as FIFA 06 are best played on a console, with this in mind the controls of FIFA 06 for the PC are good but not great when compared to that of the console version. Using the keyboard/mouse does take some getting use to, but many of the games being released that supporting PC game pads more and more. This will only increase with the compatibility between consoles and PCs next generation gamepads.(Such as the Xbox 360 game pad).
After selecting your favorite team you'll head straight into your first match against the Classic XI team of some great soccer legends. Winning this and other soccer matches will earn you points that can later be spent at the fan shop to unlock classic players and teams, purchase different uniforms, soccer balls, and more.
FIFA 06 has help screens that are meant to act as a tutorial to familiarize you with the new controls. There are some noticeable differences in controls when compared to the controls of FIFA 2005, but the overall basics can be picked up relatively quickly. One enhancement, allows you to change tactics during game play enabling you to select a different offensive or defensive strategy and change it depending on the in-game situation. For those with a game pad, the direction pad can be used to navigate and select from a small popup playbook as you're playing. Game play controls for both the PC and console versions of FIFA 06 are also completely customizable to your liking.
FIFA 06 also features plenty single player game modes including practice matches and manager mode. Manager mode lets you control every aspect of management of a team for at least 15 years, allowing you to build a dynasty, watch it fall and rebuild another. This mode is by far the most detailed aspect of the game and you'll have to take so many factors into account such as salaries, fan approval, ticket pricing and more. As owner, you will also have a staff of scouts and coaches working to sign free agents, train position players and manage your stadium.
After grasping your way around the game controls and management you'll be able to make your way through season after season, building up your team, making money and unlocking more features as you gain additional points.
Visually, FIFA 06 is very close to that of other EA Sports games such as Madden and NBA Live, the character models and movement are very realistic. The game ran relatively smooth on a AMD Athalon 3500+ with a nVidia 6600 graphics card, but was choppy at times. One particularly detailed aspect of the graphics and animation are the movie cut scenes during substitutions, timeouts and other breaks, player close ups and movements. Weather effects such as fog, rain and also adds to the game's visual appeal.
