This is by far the greatest soccer game ever created.  From the awsome 
amount of options to the great graphics this game has it all.  Since 
the playstation was released thier has not been a good soccer game.  
Fifa 96 was terrible, and 97 was a awful.   I had lost hope in the fifa 
series which once had been so great.  I could remember the times of 
playing fifa on my trusty genesis.   but those great times are in the 
distant past.  Finally EASPORTS has created a awsome 32 bit version of 
the legendary Fifa series.   

Graphics:  8/10

    Right from the start you are treated with a great opening movie 
which really gets you in the mood to play some soccer.  Another nice 
touch was the great looking fly ins of 16 international stadiums.  The 
stadiums look very detailed and are very different from each other.  
the players are all very detailed and overall look superb.  The 
animations are excelent.  from player raising thier arms in frustration 
when given a red card , to awsome diving saves by the goaltenders , and 
great celebrations after goals fifa 98 has some of the better 
animations in any sports game I have seen.  The goalie saves have to be 
seen to be believed.  Special moves also look incredibly real.  From 
doing spin-o-ramas, to putting it through the legs the players moves 
look great and are as smooth as silk.  Headers and a assortment of 
kicks also look true to life thanks to the great looking polygon 
players.  And if all that wasnt enough Fifa 98 has some great weather 
effect.  one awsome effect is when rain or snow falling from the sky 
actually starts to go on the camara screen.  Thier is  also thunder and 
lightning effects as well.  Another nice thing is that during a sunny 
game you actually see a ray of sun reflecting on the screen.  Night and 
day games are available as well.  The only negative thing is the 
occaissional slowdown.  But this rarely occurs.


Sound:  9/10

    If you want a game with great sound this is certainly the game for 
you.  the opening song from blur is awsome.  And it doesnt and thier 
the in game sounds are very well done.  From excellent crowd chants to 
the beautifly done play by play this game is among the best when it 
comes to the sound department.  The play by play unlike many other 
games is very loud, clear , and doesnt get repetetive.the commeentators 
not only talk about the actual game but also the weather and the crowd 
which really adds to the realism of the game.


Control:  8/10 with standard pad           9.5/10 with the dual analog 
pad

    On the back of the box and at EASPORTS web page thier is absolutly 
no mention of the dual analog pad working in analog mode, but to my 
surprise it actually works and really helps out with player movement.  
I have heard many complaints of the players in fifa 98 not responding 
quickly enough to controller movements.  This statement is true.  I 
found the d pad to players on screen movement  to be a little late.   
This problem is completely solved with the use of the dual analog padin 
analog mode.  Passes are very easy to perform as well as shots.  
Special moves are also very easy to preform.


Options: 10/10

    Fifa 98 has all the opions that you would expect from a Fifa game.  
a umbelievable amount of international teams, 16 real international 
stadiums.  You can have tournaments, friendly games, and also the road 
to the world cup.  Leauges are also available.  practice mode ,  and a 
shootout arre also included.  you can create players, change existing 
players ratings and how they look.  You can also change teams names and 
thier jersies.  You can also manage the teams money.


Overall:  9/10

    This game is definitely a soccer fans dream.  Its got great 
graphics, sound, control(with analog controller), and options.  This 
game is truly the total package