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In this review I will be commenting on the game of football, or as we Americans know it, soccer. Try not to get lost.
Football season is in full swing for most of the world, and for gamers that means one thing: Football Games are being released! In previous years Pro Evo has been the footy game that has reigned supreme, can EA and FIFA take control this year? Yes they can.
FIFA ’09 was touted by EA as having something like 200+ changes to the mechanics of the game. Well, I can’t comment on that as I never played ’08. I can, however, say that this game is absolutely amazing. It looks beautiful, plays amazing, and is tons of fun (kinda like a fat chick).
The main mode for most will surely be Manager Mode. In this mode you take over the club of your choice and try to lead them to championships. Along the way you will be able to utilize the transfer window to sell or buy players, as long as you have the budget. You see in football, unlike American football, players get paid weekly or per game. So, you start out with a budget, set ticket prices, and pick a sponsor. But, depending on how much you are paying your players, you could still lose money each match, especially away matches. I play with United, I’ve sold about 6 players that never saw the pitch and bought Becks and Ashley Cole as my big buys. For winning home matches I typically make about $600k, for away matches I lose about $300k. So, you’re budget won’t be going up as much as you think. Still, you will make money for winning trophies and doing well in tournaments. You may also receive a bonus or two if the board is extremely happy with your performance.
The next popular mode will probably be the Be A Pro mode. Personally, I was not a huge fan of this. I found myself always wanting to play to the ball and that doesn’t end well. In the mode you make a character or choose an existing pro, and play only as them in your career. You have objectives to meet in order to succeed and you can even make it to your national team if you do well enough.
Of course, these are all fairly standard and what’s really important is gameplay. I can say that 100% FIFA ’09 delivers an extremely satisfying game. You feel ecstatic when you score a goal, and depressed when you give one up. You are able to adjust on the fly offensive and defensive positions and it works like a charm. Sending through balls in over heads is amazing. Bashing a header in off a corner feels ridiculously satisfying. Not clearing the ball properly only to give up an easy goal will make you want to cry, or at least shout a few expletives.
None of this would matter if the graphics and animations of the game were not A+ material. Luckily for you and I, they are. The tackling animations are amazing. Seeing Frank Lampard or Stevie G. double over because Vidic did a brutal slide tackle on them is almost as good as it gets. Or when you see Ronaldo clapping at the attempt Berba made to get him the ball, even though he missed, it’s spectacular. When players are hurt or winded they will show it. When they are making runs, they will point or wave for the ball. When they mess up, they know it. EA has outdone themselves here and set the bar very high for next year.
All in all FIFA ’09 is as near a perfect football game as I’ve ever played. The few flaws that are there, no dynamic weather or seemingly no night games, are few and far between. Other than that I can put almost everything else down to user error, well, except for the horrifically called offsides that occasionally pop up. If you love the sport of football, or even just like football games, FIFA ’09 is a must.
Sound: 9/10 - Andy Grey and Martin Tyler do an outstanding job. The crowds chant and sing as well.
Graphics: 9/10 - The game looks phenomenal. Only once you get up close do some of the flaws become apparent.
Gameplay: 10/10 - As good as it gets. Scoring is extremely satisfying, tackling is brilliant and win you lose you feel empty inside.
Overall: 9.5/10This game is too good. It is right up there with PES ’08 on the Wii when it comes to football glory.
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