You probably have already tried the demo to this game. This game is a lot like FIFA98 with some improvements. World Cup 98 is a lot like FIFA98 because they basically almost look identical except the models have been changed, not their actual form but their height. More types of player models have been added so everyone on the field doesn't look the same. There are now newer fields to play on and newer textures.

There are also newer camera views to the game and the AI has also changed. You can now also do newer moves. When you want to pass the ball now you can see a little target appear under the player running near you which indicates who the ball is going to be passed to. Reactions are now faster also and the soccer ball is more lighter now. The goalie doesn't wait anymore before doing a goal kick, he just straight out kicks it.

The ball is lighter now, so that means it will be easier to kick and a lot more easier to get it across the field. When a player kicks the ball it now goes faster and is a lot more easier to steal. The goalie is now more human, by saying that I mean that the goalie does not always catch the ball anymore, he will most likely deflect the ball with his chest or arms which leaves the ball to go back to the field.

Fog in the game has greatly changed also, it is a lot more thicker now. Stadiums have also changed and the people in the stadium look a little bit more real than FIFA98. Players move faster now also and the stadiums are now visible in 3D in the menu. Also when you pass the ball to the other player it doesn't take long for the guy to get a hold of the ball and then get running, now it takes a few seconds less.

One bad thing about this game was the size, which is large if you take into consideration the Play by Play addon, unless you have the original CD. And in World Cup 98 it is easier to get the ball out of play. I guess EA Sports tried to make the game a little bit more realistic and to make the AI better. One nice thing is that there is a lot more menu music you can listen to now, I think there were about 4 in FIFA98, and there are 7 in World Cup 98.

FIFA98 was really the king of soccer games. I didn't really think you could make a better soccer game than that, and I still think that. World Cup 98 looks a lot like FIFA98. I believed that there wasn't a way to make a soccer game look any better than that. But EA Sports tried their best, basically I think they made the gameplay better and the graphics slightly better, and its nice that they added more camera views.

Graphics: 16 / 20
Sound: 13 / 15
Gameplay: 24 / 25
Fun Factor: 18 / 20
Multiplayer Play: 2 / 5
Packaging: 2 / 5
Overall Impression: 6 / 10

Great, a new soccer game. It's just FIFA World Cup 98, a copy of FIFA 98 but with new menus, music and some other things, but the essential game is almost the same. Graphics in FIFA World Cup 98 are awesome like in the earlier FIFA: Road to the World Cup. I only gave 24 cause I think EA will do much better in the future so I will keep the perfect score away for now. 3DFX shows all it glory in WC98. The high resolution of the graphics makes me dizzy. When I played this game I thought I was playing real soccer, try it with the ball camera perspective and you will get my point. The sports games only miss a bit in the atmosphere, the crowd just doesn't exist, you only see some graphics but no motion so it makes the crowd always the same. Maybe I'm asking too much but they can do it, work on this programmers!. I only played the game in 3DFX, didn't test the d3d or the normal mode but in 3dfx the game is very, very good. The best in soccer games. The game runs smooth with no tickles or anything else, but I think that the game is slow in the gameplay, not a graphics or smoothness problem.

Sound is good, better then in FIFA RWC. The crowd is more active, more chants. The game loses some interest when you don't have the play by play. Since the play by play is too large it was ripped out but a play by play addon is out there. Get it cause it's needed to have a good sound atmosphere. The music in the menus is great, better then in FIFA RWC.

A note to EA: Please, next time put all the National Songs with better quality and in full cause we can only hear part of it and that's no good!.

The game is easy to play but you have various difficulties. Just chose the best that fits your skills and start learning how to play in the professional difficulty. It's easy to control the player but the gameplay in FIFA is not the best for soccer. You cannot control the player like in Actua Soccer (c) Gremlin for example, you have pre-defined moves in FIFA and you have none in Actua soccer. That's why it makes Actua Soccer (c) Gremlin the best game in soccer gameplay. The shots, the passes, the crosses are the same thing. They are all pre-defined. The gameplay is good but it could be better, reading this maybe makes you think the gameplay isn't very good but nope, the gameplay is good, just could be better.

Fun factor is the same that you got in FIFA: RWC. I played this game till the end and I won the world cup with Portugal.

Easy to install but it would be good to have an installer. There's a Razor fix out there but I got till the end of the game without crashing, so I don't know why we need a fix.

I didn't play this game in multiplayer but you have network and modem support. I played the old FIFA by modem and I just loved it! I think the game gains more fun factor when you play with a friend by modem. The game is smooth like you were playing it alone so if you have a chance play it against someone over the a network or modem.

EA made some changes in the game but it wasn't as much as I'd read in some magazines articles. When I read those articles I thought the game was different but playing it is the same in general of course. There are some minor changes. This is a great game and I was impressed that EA included some teams that didn't reach the World Cup, so here's a "hurray!!" for EA. Go get this at your local shop cause you need the full cd to get all the features in this great soccer game. Enjoy this great game and cheer on your National team in the World Cup!

Graphics: 24 / 25
Sound: 19 / 20
Gameplay: 18 / 25
Fun Factor: 15 / 15
Multiplayer Play: 5 / 5
Packaging: 4 / 5
Overall Impression: 9 / 10

World Cup 98 is the second edition to the EA soccer lineup this year. Totally revamped menus with new music, a new commentator to call the action and they also added in some commentator's review of your game progress (specific to your team). It features great 3d graphics and sound. Most of the gameplay commands are the same as used in FIFA 98 RTWC. Also added are new special moves with the alt/ctrl keys . Every soccer team is included just like the FIFA 98 RTWC.

A special edition is the ability to play with PAST soccer World Cup champions. This option is unlocked after you progress your team's ability. What this means is you can play with the greats like Pele, etc. Stadium graphics are improved greatly and the AI has been improved to not make the same moves that they do in FIFA 98.

The AI goalies are much more aggressive and much better overall. Some will say its a repacked FIFA98, but if your a soccer fan you will want this. All around everything has been improved in World Cup 98 by EA. EA continues to bring the best soccer games to the PC. This won't be a dissapointment for you, I guarantee it.

FEATURES :

1) World Cup mode (take your favorite team (or 32!) through the World Cup path to decide the best team in the world)

2) Classics mode (win the World Cup to unlock this special mode of eight of the greatest World Cup finals.

3) Team Management (new and improved with the addition of In Game Management (IGM) and In Game Tactics (IGT) - these allow the user to change formation and strategy on the fly while executing set plays)

4) Front End PBP (now in the World Cup mode, hear commentators remark on your progress!)

Ok here is the low down. Its virtually the same as FIFA 98 with the new additions of a little better graphics, a few moves and more strategy. Also enclosed as said above, the old WC teams. I guess they replaced all of FIFA 98 leagues they had. All around its worth getting if you just want to play with World Cup teams and old World Cup champions.

Graphics: 19 / 20
Sound: 13 / 15
Gameplay: 23 / 25
Fun Factor: 18 / 20
Multiplayer Play: 2 / 5
Packaging: 5 / 5
Overall Impression: 9 / 10