“EA Sports… Is it in the game?”

Graphics and Presentation

Let’s put this into context here, it is laughable but the first footballing game I played was Football Italia ’90 for the Sega Mega Drive. Now you may ask why I mentioned this, well its simply because I only finished playing it a couple of years ago just because it brought me and my cousins days of enjoyment. The graphics in that were obviously shocking, in the context of comparing it to the graphics in any of today’s games, of course they blow you away and Fifa ’09 for the Playstation 3 is no exception.

What can you say about the graphics really? Apart from they are a revelation; EA Sports have taken the ’plastic’ look form FIFA ’08 and really done a good job on them. The features on their faces even down to their boot detail are just breath taking.

Sound

In FIFA ’09 there has actually been a lot of work put into this as well. The commentators are Andy Gray and Martyn Taylor from Sky Sports and this adds a reality and likeness to the play. What’s more impressive is the fans chanting your team songs, so you can make them chant Chelsea’s song so that you hear “From Stamford Bridge to Wembley Stadium” to my personal favourites Manchester United song “Glory Glory Man United”. It all plays an integral part in the complete simulation of football.

Gameplay

Ever since its release in September 2008 this game was set to take the simulated footballing world by storm. This is EA Sports 16th instalment of the ever-popular FIFA range. Since its start back in 2003 it really has come a long way, which you would expect. This particular one is as far as I’m concerned is the pinnacle of the series so far. You would expect this because last year was a busy year for EA Sports releasing 3 titles in little over a year, FIFA ’08, shortly after UEFA Euro 2008 and finally FIFA ’09.

As you would expect FIFA ’08 was a brilliant game, although there were a lot of tweaks needed. If you think of UEFA 2008 as a test copy for FIFA ’09 then you would kind of be right. They had taken comments from reviews etc about FIFA ’08 and implemented these into UEFA 2008. This was quite successful, however being as notoriously harsh as the reviewing world is this still did not make gamers or serious fans happy so they took a step into the unknown for FIFA ’09. One major part that they have implemented that went down a storm from UEFA 2008 is the self-controlled celebrations when you score. I feel that this gives you more control over how much you get involved in the game and is a brilliant way of rubbing it in your mate’s face that you have just decimated their defence.

The game play has been mixed up a bit. As I was previously predominately a Pro Evolution Soccer player with the changing in the controls this messed with my head and it took longer to adjust to the reverse in controls e.g. PES shoot was circle but in FIFA shoot is square. What is good is that you can actually change the controls yourself which I found would have been useful but I believe in playing a game the way it should be so left the default controls. With the addition of the D-pad and the integration of team tactics this allows for a more varied and intricate Gameplay and build up.

The game as I said has come a long way, it is now a lot harder to score and create anything. When you first start you think this isn’t too bad. However, as you go along, the computer is constantly learning from you and anything you try is pretty much rendered useless. This is where the varied approaches come into play. You just can’t put it down the pitch and expect your playmaker or pocket rocket to do something. It takes a degree of patience and build up will be more prolific. This is in a game that is now dominated by a complete Midfield playing game. It is no longer simply end-to-end stuff. Long gone are the days that you can simply walk it round players and expect to score. Now you have to have a real patient approach as mentioned previously. You can however use the right trigger to cleverly side step your opposition but they do not give up and will chase you down and probably quite successfully dispossess you unless you are able to move the ball on.

One of the major additions to the game is the Be A Pro function. It is nice to step into the boots of your favourite player and brush teams aside, but it is a complete different kettle of fish when it is you that is playing with your name and number on the back of the shirt. In addition to this they have now added four seasons in which to play in. I feel this limits you, as you have to come up through the ranks and take the captaincy of your country in four seasons. It is very challenging and worthwhile. It is a must if you choose to buy this game as you get a real sense of achievement if you do it.

An extra feature to the game play is that the AI now when you are on the attack the player ahead of you points to where he wants the ball, this allows for more deadly through balls with devastating consequences. These all add to the overall experience.

The only thing pretty much that annoys me about the game are the silly decisions the AI makes whilst choosing a player. You may be on the defence and you want to choose a particular player to confront the on coming attack, this makes sense …right? Well not according to the computer it will choose everyone that is chasing the ball until finally you get to choose the right player and you are still chasing the ball. Maybe the lesson from this is get your tackle in before it gets that far but it really is easier said than done.

Closing Comments

All in all FIFA 09 is a brilliant all round game. The players are realistic the game play is too realistic (Haha). There are still some minor faults that could be tweaked but I thoroughly enjoyed this game and would advise any budding footballers out there to buy it as it is worthwhile game, it can bring numerous hours of pleasure and even bring rivalling friends together and put their football teams aside for a simple all out football tournament.

John McGarry