Another day, another football title from EA. Though we often come to expect an extra football title when we’re on the dawn of a big footballing event such as the European Champions or the World Cup, we’re now seeing a football title based upon Europe’s premiere club competition; the Champions League. The question on our minds is, does an annual European competition warrant a game of its own?

It’s almost difficult to call UEFA Champions League an entirely new game. It’s easier to look upon it as FIFA 2007 v1.2 and as a result, now would be the ideal time to check out our FIFA 2007 review if you haven’t done so already. In the knowledge that FIFA 2007 is a highly commendable game, we expect the same to be true of UEFA Champions League and it does deliver. Building upon the solid foundation of its predecessor, UEFA Champions League offers a few improvements of its own.

In terms of gameplay, the most notable change would be that of the game’s pace. The game is noticeably slower than FIFA 2007 and as a result matches are played in a more believable manner. With players moving less quickly and balls tending not to zip across the grass, the game becomes all the more intricate with thought, accuracy and precision going into each pass. With FIFA 2007 making huge strides in terms of gameplay for EA’s football franchise, it would perhaps be asking too much to expect similar strides with this new title some 6 months later. Consequently, UEFA Champions League doesn’t offer huge improvements in gameplay. It does offer a few simple yet noticeable changes but as FIFA before it, the AI leaves a lot to be desired and is all but predictable.

In our FIFA 2007 review we stated that it was “clearly the best looking football game on the Xbox 360″ and though that was true at the time, UEFA Champions League now takes the crown in terms of visuals. Though the gameplay itself looks very similar with minor improvements here and there, it is the presentation of UEFA Champions League which truly raises the bar. If one were to walk into a room to see this game on a giant screen and mistake it for live Champions League coverage on ITV, they could easily be forgiven.

From the opening intro blaring the Champions League theme to the way the team sheets are displayed before each match, EA have done a remarkable job of re-creating that atmosphere building up to a big European night. As tends to be the case with an EA football title, the sound plays a key part and does a great job of replicating a European game. With more real life chants than you could recite and Champions League specific commentary, it all comes together in one very well presented package. Even the silky smooth transitions between replays featuring the Champions League logo are prominently pleasing on the eye.

The focus of many a football game tends to be the football itself and whilst that seems the obvious choice, EA have added a new innovation to UEFA Champions League which is a very welcome addition. Football fans who think back to their youth will likely have a memory of collecting football badges, stickers or trading cards. EA have brought that childhood passion to UEFA Champions League in the form of its Ultimate Team mode, the games vital new feature.

Upon completion of a match, you’re awarded credits dependant on your performance and these can then be used to purchase packs of cards. Your goal is to build the ultimate team and then use it to win the Champions League. Sounds easier than it is! Though a team can be easily put together, an ultimate team is harder to achieve. Collecting the world’s best players would be a simple solution but you’ll also need to take into account a player’s nationality, natural position and a whole lot more.

The Ultimate Team mode and trading card system proves to be incredibly addictive and is almost a game in its own right. Being able to trade cards online via Xbox Live is another great addition to this new mode and offers a whole new aspect of football to fans everywhere. Our only complaint of Ultimate Team mode would lie with its presentation. With the game itself being presented so well, Ultimate Team mode often proves to be a maze and the initial learning process is unnecessarily difficult. Providing not nearly enough tips or on screen information, you have to wonder how many users actually take the time to get accustomed to it.

FIFA 2007 made huge progress in terms of gameplay, UEFA Champions League has added the stellar new Ultimate Team mode and raised the bar of presentation in general whilst at it. However with both games still having a few shortcomings, most notably in the gameplay department, we can only look forward in hope at what FIFA 2008 could be.

The majority of football fans will tell you that you can never have enough football. That may well be what EA is banking on with UEFA Champions League. Though the game itself is solid and does indeed take steps forward from FIFA 2007, the steps aren’t quite big enough to justify this game alone. Without Ultimate Team mode, there wouldn’t be a whole lot of new content to see here. The FIFA series is certainly making progress but if you already own FIFA 2007 we recommend you hold onto it until FIFA 2008.

Final Score: 6 out of 10 - Average (How do we rate games?)