The world's pastime

Everything I know about soccer I've learned from playing "FIFA" video games. Which is a lot, considering exactly how much "FIFA" I've played. \nThat's why I looked forward to the release of "FIFA Soccer 08." Like many of you, I learned a majority of what I know from a pixelated screen. That's right, my soccer education came from a television screen, not time spent on a soccer pitch.\nThe new "Be A Pro" feature enables gamers to be single players on the field and take on the roles of those players' specific positions. For example, instead of being all 11 players on Chelsea, you can choose just to be Didier Drogba. While this game mode isn't action-packed, it's still a realistic soccer experience. \nThe other best new feature that has been added to "FIFA" is the refined dribbling controls that revolve around the gamer's dominance of the right thumbstick. Instead of the traditional "juke" button, "FIFA 08" enables you to dodge and dribble around defenders like an actual forward. \nBut it's tough to appreciate the moves you're breaking off without adjusting the camera angles. The standard game camera seems to be stationed 100 feet above the press box, and even the "dynamic" camera is still near the 23rd row of the balcony. \nThe graphics themselves are exceptional -- clear, crisp and detailed, but you can't appreciate them unless you're playing on a big screen. \nThe "Manager" mode still pales in comparison to other EA Sports titles. One thing EA Sports did incorporate into the "FIFA" line for the first time is the use of player icons. In "Be A Pro" mode, the player icons act as a compass--coach hybrid, telling you where to be and what to do. This comes in handy if you didn't grow up on a traveling soccer team or are not a direct descendent of Pele.\nBut despite its flaws, "FIFA" remains one of EA's strongest products. Bugs are as frequent as snowstorms in June, and the game play is more realistic than the run-and-dunk of "NBA Live" or the touchdown-happy "Madden." The focus "FIFA" puts on soccer's team aspect pushes it to the forefront of sports gaming.