As we know, Electronic Arts never jokes with the content of its football simulations, and UEFA Euro 2008 is no exception to the rule. Even if it turns out to be less nuclear than that of FIFA 08, the database of the game still has about fifty national selections, the eight official stadiums which will host the matches of Euro 2008, as well as large workforce, which does not prevent a certain frustration. The supporters of Olympique de Marseille will therefore not be able to rectify the situation by retaining Steve Mandanda or even Mathieu Valbuena, just as the Lyonnais will have to ignore Mathieu Bodmer, yet acclaimed on many occasions by observers of the environment. In terms of game mode, UEFA Euro 2008 is classic with the Exhibition matches of course, but also a Scenario mode in which you will have to accomplish a certain number of objectives, a Battle of Nations section where you will have to increase online his training in the European elite, an "Online Euro" mode to improvise tournaments on the web and play up to four players in the same team, and the famous "Become Captain" which takes up the concept of "Become a Pro " inaugurated in FIFA 08. It is moreover this which constitutes the heart of UEFA Euro 2008, since it will be necessary to create its own character - or to take again an already existing player - and to help it to climb not less of eight rungs to earn the respect of his partners, and incidentally the captain's armband. More concretely, the young footballer learns his ranges by multiplying the matches in selection A '.
Right to the bus
Like the great Libero Grande, well-known to football fans, we therefore occupy one and the same position - right or left side, central defender, defensive or attacking midfielder, winger or striker - throughout the game. Those who have mastered the "Become Pro" mode of FIFA 08 will quickly find their marks, while neophytes will undoubtedly be destabilized by the fact that the CPU embodies the rest of the players of the team. That said, the AI is sufficiently skillful not to mess up well-constructed actions. Each pass, each tackle, each strike, each crossbar, each hook executed in the rules of the art allows you to earn experience points, and to return a clean copy at the end of the meeting. But this "Become Captain" mode is paradoxical, insofar as you have to play as a team to win the match, while trying to curry favor with the coach by crunching the ball. Indeed, three other players – controlled by friends or the AI – also seek the role of captain, a competition that turns into the unhealthy at times. From a visual point of view, UEFA Euro 2008 uses the same graphics engine as FIFA 08, which gives it a high-end achievement. The character design has even been improved, with player faces that better match the original copies. For the rest, it's hard to be surprised since the artists of Electronic Arts continue to gratify us with neat stadiums with small onions, an animation of the players that is glaringly realistic, and the songs of the supporters still as captivating. Where UEFA Euro 2008 stands out clearly from its brother, however, is in terms of the gameplay, which has undergone some modifications. First of all, the game imposes a slightly higher rhythm, which sometimes tends to make it a little more arcade, without making it fall back into its ways. The ball transmission gains in fluidity, which allows you to switch the game with exhilarating ease. Finally, we will especially remember that the goalkeepers are always so stupid, whether on their line or in the air, with dumplings from elsewhere.
