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FIFA 09 is the best FIFA game we've ever playedIt's interesting times in the world of virtual footie. For years Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series has scored the winning goal in the gameplay stakes, and EA's FIFA franchise has lifted the trophy in the graphics stakes. And for years gamers have, on the whole, considered PES the superior game. But last year something happened. Something happened that was very interesting indeed.
Overall, FIFA 2008 was a better game than PES 2008. It came as somewhat of a surprise to us here at VideoGamer.com. Perhaps it shouldn't have. For a while now EA's money making powerhouse has been creeping up the quality ladder, with solid tweaks to its game engine, functioning online play and a more simulation approach to gameplay. FIFA 09 is the culmination of all of those tweaks. It is the coming together of a game engine now supremely confident that it is the most realistic representation of the game of football the industry has to offer. And it is the best FIFA game ever made.
AdvertisementWhy? Because it plays superbly, a more important factor in the game's quality than the new 10 versus 10 online play, the new Adidas Live Season (which imports real world, real time stats every week to keep the game up to date) or the new four season Be A Pro mode.
Despite the fact that you can change the game speed, FIFA plays almost sluggishly. The players are more responsive than in previous efforts, and turn quicker, but if you're not controlling a speed demon - Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, for example, there's absolutely zero chance of you putting clear blue sky between your heels and the defender's hacking big toe. Sure, you might beat a man - using one of the many tricks assigned to the right analogue stick - but you won't get away from him.
Players feel as if they carry real weightWhat you will do is immediately notice the new player physics which make shoulder barges and 'turfing' opponents off the ball a realistic reality. For example, if Chelsea sledgehammer Didier Drogba chases for a ball with lightweight Manchester United left back Patrice Evra, he'll out muscle his opponent - fairly, if he's appropriately positioned. This doesn't happen all of the time, of course - it's not a guaranteed win - but it feels like it happens when it should. And it's class.
This has an overwhelmingly positive impact on how FIFA plays. More than any game in the series, FIFA 09 makes you think before you shoot. You're forced to craft goal scoring opportunities cautiously, eking out killer through balls only when defenders have been pulled out of position, or players have made penetrating runs (they now raise their hand when calling for a pass, Wayne Rooney style - a useful and realistic visual clue for when to hit through balls). At least that's how it plays out during the first hour or so of a match.
After that, just as in real life, games start to get stretched, players get tired and space begins to present itself. You won't be able to simply wait for this to happen, however. You'll need to react to how your opponent is playing and adjust on the fly, with the excellent new custom team tactics system. Here you'll be able to change tactics on the fly from three overarching types - defensive tactics, attacking build up style and attacking chance creation.
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Diddy Drogba wrote at 10:55 on 30 September 2008
The demo is my most played game this month friday i cannot wait after all the PES games i have bought this is the best footy game yet by miles
Seabass wrote at 12:31 on 30 September 2008
The new football simulator is here to stay. I myself recently said in an interview that we at Konami want a mix between arcade and realism to have as big audience as possible. We know what people want and it is not realism!
RiggersD wrote at 13:03 on 30 September 2008
You're wrong Seabass. You obviously aren't a true footy fan.
We want realism. Maybe the casual gamer wants an arcady, goal fest, but they will be on and off pes before you know it.
Fifa 09 is a revolution, a beautiful, flowing, challenging, realistic football game.
You guys obviously are making a game for non football fans
Dani wrote at 13:30 on 30 September 2008
this is a new generation game and a best of fifa
Gaffer wrote at 14:09 on 30 September 2008
Realistic football is fun, that's why we love it. Konami lack innovation, an unfinished product, unprofessional and dragging behind. Last year I bought PES, this year I will buy FIFA.
The DJ wrote at 14:13 on 30 September 2008
Great review guys! I seriously cannot wait to get my hands on this!
MorgaNext wrote at 14:22 on 30 September 2008
wow.. this is THE football!!
MIsix wrote at 15:16 on 30 September 2008
CANT WAIT!!! think Im gona put tent outside the shop on thursday night... ;-)
jezzer79 wrote at 18:25 on 30 September 2008
Great review! Why is it that other sites reviewing the game are already starting to play it down as what is the best football experience without getting your feet dirty? Its blessed with playability, graphics, sound and masses of innovative extras that other sports games will be lacking for years. It looks way ahead of its time and if the demo is anything to go for, a real, complete football match. Well done EA you have finally got there. You all must agree??
jezz79 wrote at 18:32 on 30 September 2008
I forgot to mention the online play!
Gezza wrote at 19:11 on 30 September 2008
Good positive review, demo is ace but as an evo fan will still wait till thursday to see demo but it will have to be special to stop me buying fifa this time around
Gordo01 wrote at 21:09 on 30 September 2008
This game is outstanding. All you u.k. people get to the 24hr ASDA's on thursday night. just after 12 and grab your copy lol.
So far pro evo just looks like last years edition. But a do like pro too soo hopefully the demo will do it justice.
The Swede wrote at 23:13 on 30 September 2008
I've always bought FIFA, since the 94 game for Sega. I really do hate PES, why, because the lack of realism. I mean the movements are awful (ex. when the players shoot and whem they run, I mean I run like that when I want to take a dump), the graphics are hideous (even FIFA on PSP is more sharper than PES on next gen) and they don't have the license amount that FIFA has.
I can't wait to thursday (release oct 2 in Sweden), I've already made plans on which players I will buy and etc. I sincerely hope that the young guns in FIFA looks authentic, say Aguero, Vela, Denilson, Bendtner, Huntelaar, Marin, Özil, Aissati, Nasri, De Silvestri, Giovinco, Bojan and dos Santos. I also hope that they've fixed the faces of Ibrahimovic, Dani Alves, Eduardo, Albiol, Pavlyuchenko, Arshavin, Danny, Mati Fernandez, Rosenberg, Riera, Cazorla, Capel, Babel, Zarate, Pandev and Sagna. If EA want to make this game appreciated to maximum, they need to make worldclass players and big talents more authentic in the apperance, for example in 08: Vassel, Viduka authentic and Aguero, Benzema not = really bad!.
Some of my thoughts there, sorry=)
Masi wrote at 05:59 on 01 October 2008
meh, tried the demo and the ball physics were unrealistic. Player models still look plastic.
Game play is too slow and its boring.
PES is still King.
Wido wrote at 08:13 on 01 October 2008
I haven't downloaded the FIFA 09 demo, as of not wanting to be put off from the series. From getting FIFA 08 again a couple of months back for £12 which was a bargain, the visuals don't look that much different but the gameplay sounds very different and more realistic. Maybe Konami might have to look at this FIFA and compare it to PES 2009, so roll on to friday!!! FIFA09 flys add me people Wido_15 I shall be Arsenal and yes I do play the PODS (Pass of death situation) tactics.
Folkert wrote at 09:27 on 01 October 2008
I think Fifa is an excellent game for people between 12 and 19 yrs old.
Stones wrote at 12:29 on 01 October 2008
You can wax lyrical all you like in a review, probably taken a backhander from EA. I've tried the demo and for all its faults pes 2008 is still a better game than fifa 09. Fifa has always tried to imitate pes and there's only ever been one winner. Online play fixed in pes2009 means i know where my moneys going again this year.
tent wrote at 13:01 on 01 October 2008
How many people actually buy a new football game every season? I mean, when the camera is zoomed out you can't tell any huge differences in graphics anyway. I think I've bought 3 in the past 8 years, which has given me plenty to play. PES's Master League is enough to keep me occupied for a good 2 years. I'll wait until all the reviews are in and both titles are in the bargain bin before purchasing my first next gen football title. Until then, I still have PES 6 and Fifa 2004!
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