First things I notice in 2001 are the graphics, and basic UI; they're all quality. From the Tower Cam players look realistic enough to pass off as the real thing; the players faces have been modelled excellently, even little things like Cruyff turns have been captured perfectly. Now I think EA should stop concentrating on the graphics, even though its what they use as their main selling point.

So much time is spent on that aspect of the game that the whole basic point of computer games and especially computer games about football is completely neglected. Computer GAMES are about GAMEplay. When you play any football game you want it to feel as close as possible to playing at the Nou Camp, San Siro (or in my case White Hart Lane http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/wink.gif). Not just the looks, but the feeling and atmosphere as well. I know some people on this board aren't going to like it, but compared to the ISS series, the gameplay in FIFA games is terrible.

I just played a match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil on World Class and with Slower game speed and only lost due to a golden goal. 10 mins into the first half, I had Brazil totally worked out.Throughout the whole match, everything was repeated over and over. Rivaldo is completely untacklable, you can only hack him down. I don't see how EA think tackles which would win the ball on the Amateur level cant on World Class. Tackles are tackles, no matter what the quality of the opposition you play is. 90% of conservative tackles don't even force the CPU to change direction with the ball, and 70% of sliding tackles that aren't meant for hacking are just hurdled over.

CPU runs are all the same; one of my defenders makes some stupid mistake (like running at for an airborne ball whilst under CPU control, then suddenly stopping and running in the opposite direction, **** knows why) and the attacker just runs clear (with NO amount of 'W' tapping/sliding helping to catch him up/knock him down) and puts it away. Never any passes to the byline with wingers making runs and crossing in, always the same breakaway and goal. I just played ISS 2000, the first move the CPU did was a break down the wing and a cross, the second move was a burst through the middle...

The special moves still allow you to 0wn the game too easily. Master the hurdle and you've mastered every FIFA game for the next 20 years.

As some people have already said, the crowd noise in FIFA 2001 is pathetic. Scoring a goal gives you the same reaction as a real crowd would give to a decent tackle. Even if EA just add some banging drums I'd be happy, just something to acknowledge your efforts in scoring a goal. The keepers have got a lot better over the FIFA series, definitely not so many bug goals.

Don't get me wrong, I aint slating FIFA games. I enjoy most of them as much as the next fan; the flashy intros, catchy music, excellent graphics. But these things are all just material compared to gameplay. I just don't like the way EA are cashing in on us by releasing the same types of FIFA games, just with graphical extras (in 2001's case, the player's faces and the beautiful stadia). I think you'll all agree when I say I wouldn't mind if EA didn't touch the graphics AT ALL for 2002 and just concentrated solely on gameplay and fixing the few annoying things I've mentioned.

having played a match with tottenham, how have fifa 2001 portrayed them?. are they good or what. and another thing, in all the fifa games that i have got, the players on the game donot resemble the spurs players very much. is that the same case in this one or is it different