FIFA is once again reborn on next-gen consoles, though this time as predicted, it is followed by an '08'; one of many things we'd assume that separates it from '07'. 07 gave signs of revival, and re-introduced a spark back into the series last year; because let's face it; EA had been kicking a flat ball around the pitch for too long. FIFA 07 wasn't a fantastic game of football by any stretch, but it was EA's efforts to try and innovate and breathe new life into the series that gave fans something to lift up their heads and get excited about. With FIFA 08 rocking onto shelves, we can only pray that the good vibes keep vibin', and that EA can score the equalizer to send its feud with Pro Evo into extra-time.

So "what's new in FIFA 08?" I hear you asking. Well while the game hasn't been completely reconstructed from the ground up like last year's effort, EA Sports promised a score of new features and modes to help refine the system that showed such promise in FIFA 07. A feature rather evident as soon as you pop the disc in is that the 08 model plays at a much more regular, slower pace. It's this coupled with the newly enhanced ball physics and computer A.I. that makes FIFA 08 a football experience that oozes realism. Though it's not all bright smiles, as the aforementioned A.I. can become quite the bother (not only that, but the inconsistent referee decisions). Many times I'd find my player's legs swept out from under him only to have play resume, though when I approach an opposing player from the side in a seemingly innocent challenge, I'll have the whistle blown on my effort which was very agitating.

The learning curve for FIFA 08 is rather steep. In general, ball control has become more of a challenge, as your speed and angle are pivotal for executing precise passing. Making this arduous task a little simpler though are 'skill moves'. Whilst dribbling the ball, the player can simply hold down LT and let loose with the control sticks. Depending on what pattern you move the sticks in; your player may perform a body feint, or even a rainbow flick. Either way, these 'show-off moves' really do make it sweeter when you're weaving through the opposition's defense on World Class difficulty.

As in previous outings, FIFA 08 bursts at the seams with options. Fans of the series will relate to the standard run-of-the-mill features, such as the ability to jump straight into a quick game, and of course an endless number of tournaments (not to mention the option to create your own). What makes 08 shine, however, is the brand spankin' new modes on offer. Not to mention a new league at the disposal of us Australian fans; that's right, the A-League is now apart of the FIFA series! Not only that, but you can manage your favourite A-League side to a premiership in Manager Mode, or heck, you could even skip the administrative mumbo-jumbo and take the glory by yourself as the player. It's up to you. But in any case, we're very excited about the inclusion of the A-League!

'Be a Pro' is the most promising new mode featured in 08. Straying away from the team aspect of football, you can assume the role and position of an individual player. Be it Wayne Rooney or Ronaldinho, you are in total control of that individual for the match duration. At the match's conclusion, you're given an indicative grade of your performance which is dependant on how effectively you use the ball, your score sheet and how well you fill out your position (eg; calling for passes as a striker). All in all, it's a fantastic mode that I've put plenty of time into so far; it's very engaging. It's just a shame it's not online...

While it's not new to the series, the 'Manager Mode' has undergone fine-tuning as it is now presented as a much more complete and fulfilling experience. While it doesn't come close to the experience found in a game such as 'Football Manager', you'll still find many hours of fun with the Manager Mode conquering with big guns such as Manchester United, or Barcelona. Or you may take the opposite path, write a 'rags to riches' story with the lesser rated teams as you attempt to become the greatest manager ever.

The online component of FIFA 08 is, without understating, titanic. It is as deep as the series has ever seen. Interactive Leagues and Online Leagues make up for the most of this. Interactive Leagues support up to 32 players who play out real world fixtures over Xbox Live, and the statistics from all platforms are compiled. Of course, along with these League features are the standard ranked and player matches for those who love football to a lesser extent. Having played a few games of FIFA 08 online, I was disappointed to encounter the game stuttering from a mild case of lag. While it doesn't make the game unplayable, it certainly does create an unfair playing ground when the host in another country is playing lag-free. I remember issues with FIFA over Xbox Live from past games, so while it's a shame that these issues can't be ironed completely out, FIFA 08 online is still superb. The unpredictable nature of human intelligence creates even tenser climaxes than you'd experience watching your favourite team hit the field on the TV. If you can either look past the minor lag issue, or play with fellow Aussies, there's a great deal of enjoyment to be had online with FIFA.

In the graphics department FIFA 08 is certainly easy on the eyes, though this has always applied to anything baring the EA Sports name. The player models are designed in incredible fashion to closely resemble their real-life counterparts; especially the big name players (Beckham, Ronaldinho). It's an impressive feat for most players to have their unique features, considering the vast amount of players actually in the game -- which for those playing at home is over 15,000! Along with the players, the stadiums in the game are almost good enough to want to sit on your television and claim you're at Old Trafford. As I mentioned the A-League earlier, it's my sad duty to make note that no Australian stadiums were present in FIFA 08, which is a shame because there'd be no greater feeling than running around Telstra Dome as the Victory, or around Aussie Stadium as Sydney! Playing conditions in the stadiums are only further enhanced when weather effects come into play, as the rain looks slick as usual and adds to the already tense atmosphere you'd expect.

Familiar commentary from the likes of Martin Tyler and Andy Gray returns for FIFA 08 also. At like most years, their voices soon become monotonous, and robotic. While they get the play right more often than not, by the end of your very first match you'll swear you'd heard it all before. So my simple remedy is to turn the commentary down (or off) and then load up a custom soundtrack. In regards to soundtracks, FIFA 08 offers up its usual mix of house music and indie rock from a majority of unknown artists and popular artists such as the Cat Empire, Travis and Junkie XL make appearances on an overly impressive compilation that is suited to a good game of football.