Electronic Arts bring out another top drawer soccer sim but Dr Leevil finds himself picking at the finer points - never happy that guy!

I was kind of surprised to get this one to review, 'cos FS2004 has been out for a while now, but what-o I like a good footy game and from past experience of earlier versions of FIFA Soccer this was likely to be worth a look.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, FS2004 is a pretty deep and polished footy game - FIFA Soccer having had more incarnations than some new age freak undergoing hypnosis!

You have a wealth of modes to choose from and a new career mode which allows you to develop your team (and players) from a humble lower division team into the virtual equivalent of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea or Man U (with better players!).

This is backed up by improved AI, off-the-ball running, and some of the best facial animation that you are likely to see; even down to that pathetic bit of bum-fluff that Robert Pires sports.

This is all meant to impress, and EA sports must have had to make this game for free; having no doubt paid a fortune in royalties to all of the players and teams officially accessible within the game.

Despite all of this though, it all felt a bit like the game was being played through a foggy haze on a pitch of treacle when compared with Pro Evolution Soccer 3.

In content (and commentary!) FS2004 beats PES3 hands down but it lets itself down by lacking a bit in two key areas that in my book are vitally important when playing a console footy game.

First the players lacked some responsiveness, and secondly it was too hard to score a goal. Console footy games should be fast, free flowing, free scoring affairs and not the equivalent of watching Gerrard Houllier's Liverpool team bore us all to death in yet another meaningless European game on Channel 5.

FS2004 should have been endorsed by Michael Owen: Polished but a bit dull.

8/10

Dr Leevil