FIFA Football 2003

The FIFA Football 2003 came out amid the series' dispute with competitors and offered more refined ball control. The key innovation was free handling of the ball: instead of a set of rigid combinations, the player was able to set the direction of movement himself, which made dribbling more lively. This freedom took root in the series and developed in subsequent issues. In addition to single matches, a club championship mode has appeared, where the team goes through a big tournament, and between meetings you have to deal with the composition and money. Finances are limited, so purchases require calculation, and unsuccessful results affect the mood of fans and management. This was the first attempt to make a game not only about football, but also about managing a club. The matches look and sound rich by the standards of their year: commentary, sound from the stands, licensed leagues and recognizable stadiums. The shots received more variety, and the behavior of the defenders became more meaningful, which is why it was no longer possible to pass the defense with long passes on the move. The weather and lighting in the game contribute to the atmosphere: matches in the rain are played on a wet lawn, and this is noticeable in the movement of the ball. The comments change depending on the score, and the stands react to dangerous moments - little things that made a big impression in those years. Friendlies and local tournaments remain in place for those who want a quick match without a long season. The game belongs to the transitional era of the series, when it was still looking for its strengths. To get acquainted with the history of the genre, the FIFA Football 2003 is useful: it was here that experiments with dribbling began, to which the series later returned in earnest.