FIFA 97

Game Details:

Released in 1996, FIFA 97 marked a significant technological breakthrough for EA Sports in the field of football simulation. This installment adopted "Athlete Motion Capture Technology," resulting in more natural and realistic player movements. The game's graphics also featured full 3D rendering for the first time, presenting players with more three-dimensional match scenes. It included real teams and players from various countries around the world and supported single-player and two-player modes. Furthermore, it introduced the Indoor Soccer mode, offering players a more compact and exciting gameplay option, a highly innovative feature at the time.

Editor's Recommendation:

As a pivotal turning point in the FIFA series, FIFA 97 marked the beginning of football games evolving towards greater realism and freedom. It not only retained the consistent handling of the FIFA series but also incorporated cutting-edge 3D technology and motion capture at the time, greatly enhancing the game's immersion. The Indoor Soccer mode was a major highlight, allowing players to experience fast-paced, intense 5-a-side football battles. Even today, FIFA 97 is still worth revisiting for old players and trying out for new ones.

Game Guide:

To achieve victory in FIFA 97, mastering the basic controls is key. First, familiarize yourself with the key bindings for passing (short/long pass), shooting, and switching players, which are fundamental. At the start of the match, try to control the ball with short passes to establish a rhythm, avoiding frequent long passes to prevent interceptions. In defense, make good use of the "auto-switching" function to quickly switch to players in suitable positions for interception. Using speedy players to sprint past opponents can effectively break through the defense. The goalkeeper AI performs reasonably well in this installment, but can still falter against shots with tricky angles, so defensive focus is essential. If you choose to play Indoor Soccer mode, you need to quickly adapt to the fast-paced matches on the small field, utilizing wall rebounds for passes. Furthermore, understanding the characteristics of each team's key players allows you to arrange the optimal starting lineup, further improving your win rate.