For the record, I am reviewing the European version of FIFA 2002, for PS2 (I imagine the european and usa versions are the same quality)written on February 12, 2003.
I received this game as a Birthday gift around Christmas, 2001.
It was frustrating to get used to the controls, and losing much of the time. But having progressed to NOW -- I LOVE this game! I have LOVED it for about 6 months. I had some initial trouble getting the database to agree with what I was asking of it (over 50 created players, over 20 created teams, editing existing team names/Player names and flushing out (or transferring) entire groups of players from existing teams, creating over 20 different cups/championships, managing team formations). It took me 4 different memory cards (for all of my tournaments, and database conflicts) ... but now things are smooth as silk!
I can sit around and play my World Cup Final Phase (including the acurate team rosters for all teams from W.C.Final Phase 2002). I created Senegal, and all of its players (+ uniforms, etc...). I updated Holland, and added missing players to other national squads.
Don't get me wrong. I am plenty angry at the database organizational problems I encountered (tell me which programmer I can yell at *hmph*). But, what the heck. It gave me something to problem-solve! And the end result is: Football Playing Bliss!
I have developed everything I want. For the record: FIFA 2003 doesn't even have a creation center and is not able to edit players, neither! FIFA 2002 is my adored game of choice for Football. (I also have "This is Football 2002", "FIFA 2003" and "Red Card 2002". I have played "Pro Evolution Soccer 2" on PS1 several times, I don't like it).
From the reviews listed here, I've noticed that many people (who DIDN'T like fifa 2002) complained that the game is too easy. My suggestion to them is : Alter the difficulty in the options menus!... That's what the options are for! Make the referee strict! Play in the hardest mode! Damn. do it!
Someone complained that the players are too small, and seem too far away. Answer: Change the camera! If you play with the ACTION camera, the players are close, and the action seems real (the faces of the players are even quite clear). Personally, I always play with the TV camera. That is my favorite (I gues it helps to have a 30 inch TV screen, as well).
That's my 2 cents worth.
I think this game rules!
I agree with almost everyone (in these reviews) that gave fifa 2002 4 or 5 stars.
