When you finally fire up the game, you're treated to by far the best introduction of any sports game ever – a soccer movie of sorts is displayed using the graphics rendering in-game engine to the tune of Moby's “Bodyrock.” If you aren't ready to rock by the time this movie ends, you need another Prozac, and this time I'm not waiting for you.
At the main menu you are treated to a rather sparse listing of options: you can “play now,” select a “game mode”, adjust “options,” or watch a movie of other EA games coming soon. After selecting “play now,” you are treated to another menu where you can pick an exhibition (aka Friendly), Season (duh), Tournaments (three to choose from), Custom (you make your own league/tournament here), or you can hit the training pitch.
The MLS league is set up perfectly. I did not think they would pull this one off, but everything is dead on with the real league: the three divisions, the 90 minute then two 5 minute golden goal overtimes, the playoff structure—everything is matched up with the MLS league.
The in-game graphics are nothing short of jaw-dropping gorgeous. Players are so accurately rendered that you don't even need their names under them, a la' Madden. If you know the players in real life, you'll recognize them very quickly. New this year in the graphics department are resolutions of up to 1600x1200. On my system, this particular resolution didn't run with very high frame rates, but at least the option is available.
Since we're talking about graphics, the lighting and shadows in the game are spectacular. The way shadows fall on the field depending on the time of day are just amazing. In addition to that, touches such as security guards in the stands only add to the atmosphere. The player kits (uniforms) are dead on accurate with one glaring exception—the kits for the English team Arsenal seem to be missing a logo on the front. Arsenal's sponsor is the Sega Dreamcast. Apparently chivalry is not dead in the videogame wars.
While all that is well and good, my personal favorite new graphic is something I've been waiting for since 1994: linesmen. They are finally in the game, and they even have flags. You do not know the joy I am now experiencing since they are there. Granted, they signal throw-ins incorrectly from time to time, but at least they are there.