FIFA 08

The series approached this part with a ready-made foundation and one important innovation: the Be A Pro mode appeared in FIFA 08, where instead of managing the entire team, the player is responsible for one football player. The goal is to earn a place in the team, act for the benefit of the team and receive marks at the end of matches for decisions on the field. At first it was unusual that you couldn’t switch to a partner, but that’s what made the mode interesting. Basic football has also been improved: ball handling and kicks have become more accurate, and the behavior of defenders has become more meaningful. Improved feint mechanics made it possible to beat an opponent in a one-on-one fight, and goalkeepers stopped hopelessly going out of bounds with every cross. The online life consisted of leagues and tournaments, and a connection with interactive leagues allowed you to compare your results with real championship events. The cover was again occupied by Ronaldinho - at the peak of his fame, and his feints in the game were not immediately repeatable. Matches are played at a leisurely pace, customary for that era: players do not fly around the field, so attacks have to be built through passing, and not through high-speed dribbling. The stadiums and stands looked elegant for their time, and the interfaces became noticeably clearer - everything was confusing in the previous parts of the menu. It was in this version that many first tried to play not for a club, but for a specific person, and for them there is still nothing better. Graphically, the FIFA 08 looked solid for its time, and the interfaces finally became clear. This part became the bridge to the modern era of the series: it was here that both the Be A Pro and the approach to online took shape, which then evolved over the years.