Football fans are happy: The ‘real’ Champions League will enter the hot phase at the end of February. Before that you leave in EAs UEFA Champions League 2004/2005 pop the corks with the virtual kickstars. However, until your speed-kickers stretch the pot to the sky, you have to master over 50 multi-layered missions in the brand new ‘Season’ mode. For example, it is important to catch up a lead in the last thirty minutes or to win the decisive game by several goals. Achievements not only bring you fame, but also numerous unlockable gimmicks: Look forward to games from the first-person view. Opposite to FIFA 2005 a lot has happened on the pitch: the CPU team-mates skillfully close holes that have been created and their dribbling and reaction skills have been refined. In addition, EA enhanced the standard situations with intuitive functionality and shot meter reuse. Finally, the advantage rule was included in the regulations for the first time.
Online, you’re playing in the virtual stadiums on Playstation 2 and, more recently, the Xbox: Here, consistent anti-cheating measures, a significantly improved EA Messenger and the ticker appointment calendar for an optimal overview are convincing. Speaking of overview: For the first time you will experience the fantastically presented football spectacle with two thick black bars. These have the following advantages: Here, a wide variety of data is clearly displayed during the game, the table football gets a cinematic touch and the frame rate is much smoother. By the way, the German commentator couple is made up of the experienced Steffen Simon and the dapper but emotionless Monica Lierhaus. Finally, EA Sports Talk Radio provides the authentic extra kick: With funny and snappy commentators, fans from all over the world report on the course of the game and the tactics you have chosen.
