"Same old FIFA, always boring" would probably be the chant echoing around the terraces when it usually comes to the heavyweight showdown that occurs around this stage in the year. Things could be slightly different this season, however, with a FIFA title that promises to become the highlight of the series before an entirely new game engine finally kicks the brand onto the next-generation.

Before that, FIFA 07 on the current-generation is a considerably improved take on the scandal-hit game we call football. Some subtle, and other not so subtle, changes to the fundamentals of the game, add up to create the most convincing effort from a FIFA title yet.

After stepping out onto the turf for the first time, it is immediately apparent that player AI has received a significant overhaul. Players make intelligent use of space more often, either to find the perfect pass or drag away a defender to create an opening for an attack. AI opponents also play with greater conviction and intelligence, bringing a more convincing tempo, build-up and overall play to matches.

A reworked physics system governing the nature of the ball is far more convincing then any previous FIFA title, bouncing around erratically and creating a genuine sense of the uncertainty of the sport. As a result there's a greater degree of precision and control over the ball, whether that's threading in delicate 30 yard passes that can split the defence in a second or a dinky little cheap over the line. The obligatory improvements to shooting also bring a more sophisticated technique to FIFA 07 that rarely guarantees the shot will be on target. Taking into account time, composure and a player's foot, there is a considerable margin of accuracy for players to master, along with an all-new Finesse Shot, when you have the time and space to accurately place a shot into the net.

The right thumbstick still governs tricks and first-touch control; though these appear toned down compared to previous FIFA titles and require players with sufficient skill to master. The difference between players is still not as defined as Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer, with plenty of areas to improve when it comes to the crucial aspects of tactics and strategy, if FIFA wishes to continue distancing itself from the arcade style that has hung around its neck since the series inception.

All of the improvements add up to the finest FIFA yet, a more believable, unpredictable and engrossing take, with the customary lavish and gloss that you would expect from an EA Sports title. FIFA 07 continues the improvements with a much improved sense of fluidity and freedom; players are no longer automatically tied to a position when jostling to win a long ball or fighting to control an erratic ball in the box. There is a change in the type of thinking and approach you need to take with FIFA 07 compared to the same old way that has characterised FIFA titles for the last couple of years; it's not a monumental shift, but there's more than just crossing from the wing to grab an easy goal.

A lot of the pre-release hype surrounding FIFA 07 has focused around the inclusion of 'Interactive Leagues', a chance for fans to get together and help their team on the virtual pitch by playing matches corresponding to the real world fixture lists of the English Premier League, French Division 1, German Bundesliga and the Mexican League. Your result on match-day is calculated along with the score-lines of all the other players taking control of your club, each win counting as a vote, with the most votes securing victory and the all-important three points. Although the concept is, at least an attempt to try something different, several potential flaws could leave the feature needing further development. If every club had the same amount of fans and they all went and purchased a copy of FIFA 07, 'Interactive Leagues' may balance itself out and actually work; as it stands the concept appears to leave you waiting for action unless you're willing to play as multiple clubs. To increase the action on offer, an 'Include Rivals Fixture' options allows you to play as the opponents to your club's biggest rivals on match day, setting up the scope for some compelling underdog scenarios. Of course, it is early days and it is hard to predict how the mode will develop over the course of a season; helping your team to win the league or avoid the drop towards the latter stages could be quite an enticing prospect if the mode gains enough support.

Thankfully, the Manager mode appears to have benefited from considerable improvements, most notably the inclusion of Player Growth to provide an RPG-like XP system based around the player's participating in matches to improve their skills. The mode also introduces a new Visual Sim mode, allowing players to manage the action in a textual fashion similar to Champ Man/Football Manager. Removing references to points and introducing the Pound, Euro and Dollar as the game's currency is movement in the right direction, however, there is still plenty of room to add further depth and realism to what is becoming FIFA's primary mode. If you cannot get enough of FIFA and own a Playstation2 and PSP, FIFA 07 provides the chance to carry on the season whilst on the move â?“ the only proviso that you will need to own two copies of FIFA 07!

Although the squads appear to be uncharacteristically out of date, with the default settings lacking many of the transfers that occurred after September 10th, a downloadable update is available to counter this issue. Although only available on the PlayStation2 at present, the Xbox and PC updates will be released shortly.

Despite a selection of new animations FIFA 07 on the current-gen and PC is a similar looking title to the last couple of versions. It seems as though the team have squeezed everything out of the current-generation, but in a move to address this, they have focused on the visual style behind the game. To accentuate the sense of emotion, dramatise the action and generally lay it on as thick as a football agent, FIFA 07 frequently over-saturates the screen to portray a sense of glory and washes it all away when your team is loosing. It is the type of thing you would expect from EA, adding little to the sense of atmosphere during the game and even less to the actual gameplay â?“ beyond thinking there's something wrong with the TV screen. On the other hand, the general audio is perhaps the finest ever heard in a football game, with a multitude of chants unique to each club bellowed down from the stands; shouts of 'Man On' and much, much more. Unsurprisingly, the commentary from Clive Tyldesley and Mr FIFA himself, Andy Gray, sounds essentially the same as it has for the last few years; it's just a different set of infuriating one-liners and moments where they must be watching another match.