FIFA World Cup 2006 did not come with the best premise. The game had "rehash" written all over it, and turned out to be exactly as it appeared. Though I rarely complain about frequent game releases, when you've got less than six months in between FIFA updates, you can't help but question their validity.

FIFA 07 was the game that would change that. It'd make us forget all about the hype and hoopla by delivering exactly what we wanted: an overhauled game engine. Said to have been in development for two years, the new engine would "allow players to recognize their favorite athletes by the way they move."

Unfortunately, the new engine turned out to be an exclusive for Xbox 360.

What would the current generation of consoles have to look forward to? EA was quiet on details, pointing to new moves and an interactive online league as series updates.

The verdict: FIFA 07 is another change, but you're not going to notice a massive difference the second you start playing. The ball moves more naturally, and players' reactions are their most realistic yet. Early on you'll find that it's easier to lose control of the ball, which is part of the game's dedication to realism. Topspin and backspin may now be applied. Laces, Chip, and Finesse shots add some much-needed variety, while the secondary defense function lets you call in a second defender to help mark an attacking player.

These options, coupled with various passing concerns (is your player under pressure? Is he moving or standing still? Which does he excel at – short or long passes? Etc.), are sure to keep FIFA loyalists happy.

The new Interactive Leagues are also destined to appeal to that crowd. Choose from the F.A. Premier League, Mexican 1st Division, Bundesliga, or the French League. I wouldn't say it's any more interactive than the rest of the game (aren't all video games supposed to be "interactive?"), the difference here is that you're supposed to play the game whenever the real players play. Winning does not affect the course of a real game (but wouldn't that be incredible!?), but it does make your club look good in the online standings. For those who care – awesome. If Live Anywhere was up and running, people would go crazy with the Xbox 360 version.

For the more casual soccer fan like myself, this is just another feature. It's a step in a different direction that could eventually lead to innovation. And it's another way to get more out of the game, but I don't need an excuse to play it when I already want to.

FIFA 07 doesn't look like a game that uses an engine that took two years to develop, but that's only because we're used to thinking that "new engine" means "new visuals." The developers have run out of power on the current generation. Their primary goal for FIFA 07 was gameplay improvement, not visual augmentation.

This is one of the few EA sports games that has yet to incorporate a Dynasty Mode. FIFA's Manager Mode is likely the reason. It's comparable to NHL 07's Dynasty Mode in nearly every way that counts, and has a few unique elements that the other titles have yet to tackle.

New to this mode is the Visual Sim, a deeper (but still automated) version of the quick sim function. Quick sim is still available - select it and the game takes over. Seconds later the duty is done. If your stats are high and your players have proven themselves in previous games (while under your control), chances are the outcome will be favorable. If you jumped in too soon, however, you're not likely to be happy with the results.

Whereas the quick sim does everything automatically without any immediate feedback explaining how the game progressed, Visual Sim clearly shows what happened and when. Text commentary lists every detail. You may speed up or slow down the action, and may intervene at any time by pressing X.

While not as visually detailed as I had hoped (all text, no graphics), the Visual Sim is an effective way to cut back on the plethora of matches you'll have to play. Just remember not to start simulating games until your players have reached a high enough status.

FIFA 07 isn't groundbreaking. It won't take the world by storm, at least not on PlayStation 2. I've yet to get my hands on the 360 version but hope it will prove to be the revolutionary title a new engine promises to create. Don't have a 360, the only next-gen platform the series is coming to this year? Then you're stuck with the current-gen iterations. Because it's a rehash, I can't tell you to rush out and buy it, regardless of the new functions and Interactive Leagues. In spite of that, I can't tell you not to buy it either. FIFA 07 is the third FIFA game released this year (Street 2 and World Cup 2006 are the others), and it's unquestionably the best of the bunch.

Gameplay: 8.2
The refined controls and new ball mechanics set FIFA 07 apart from its predecessors. The game is loads of fun to play, just as it was last year. Those who follow the sport closely will love what EA has done with the physics and physical detail of the ball and player movement. Visual Sim is a nice edition, and if you’re the type of gamer who must insist that your players are the best, you won’t be able to get enough of the new Interactive Leagues.

Graphics: 7.9
Another attractive addition to the FIFA series. As with FIFA World Cup 2006 (and before it, FIFA 06), FIFA 07 has some of the best cinematic, animation, lighting, and shadow effects in the genre. Not just among soccer games, but among all sports titles. Next to Madden, this is the best-looking sports game for PS2.

Sound: 6.9
A continuation of FIFA World Cup 2006, FIFA 07’s soundtrack is almost entirely European. Keane provides a notable track, and there are a few others that might float your boat. But for the most part, if you don’t have the urge to listen to this stuff on the radio, you won’t want to hear it in the game either.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
More challenges await, but is it truly something new – or more of the same? Despite various tweaks (more than in most 07 sports titles, but still not a phenomenal amount), FIFA 07 will not be a match for anyone who’s mastered last year’s game. It won’t take you long to learn the new moves, nor will it take much time to grasp the differences in ball control.

Concept: 6.9
FIFA 07? More like reiteration 07. New control additions and Interactive Leagues are a great start. However, it seems that for the current generation, the content of last year’s game is as far as the series can go. FIFA on PlayStation 2 has turned into Star Wars, a movie that George Lucas will never stop tweaking. But unless he grabs new actors, a new script, and designs entirely new (perhaps entirely digital) sets, it’s still the same movie. I love it, but do I really need to own another version of the original trilogy? Aren’t the three I own (theatrical cut on VHS, special edition on VHS, special edition on DVD) enough?

That’s what you get with the PS2 versions of FIFA. That’s what we got in the summer with World Cup. That’s what we got last year with FIFA 06.

When it comes to sports games, I will not miss this generation. I hope to see more innovation, more variety, and more true sequels with the next batch of consoles.

Multiplayer: 8.0
On par with FIFA 06 and FIFA World Cup 2006. The changed and updated player mechanics will have an impact on your overall experience, but that hasn’t caused an increase (or decrease) in the amount of enjoyment gained from playing with others.

Overall: 8.0
FIFA 07 has got the looks, gameplay, and features of a masterpiece – and it would be such if the majority of its content hadn’t already been introduced. Those who are unsure of this update are encouraged to rent it first.