Now before you read this review let it be known that until the release of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 I was a proud PES fan boy. I would defend the game to the hilt especially to those FIFA Fan boys who said that theirs was the better game.
Let it also be known I have only ever owned two versions of EAs game.
FIFA 94 for the Mega drive II but I preferred Sensible Soccer & the FIFA spin off Road to the World Cup 98 for the PS1. Again not a favourite of mine and hardly played.
I have however, rented most FIFAs to see if they had been slowly catching up with Pro Evolution Soccer and until the last 2 years they hadn’t got close.
After the debacle that is PES2009 (see review on this site) I decided to take the plunge and have a look at FIFA09. I felt dirty for the thought even entering my mind but I had lost total patience with Konami’s latest offering. I had read reviews on various sites and FIFA always came out on top but you need to see and feel the game for yourself don’t you?
I went down to HMV and two blokes were playing the game on the 360 in one of those console stands. The game was Chelsea Vs Liverpool and the two blokes seemed to be having a good time. First thing I noticed was that FIFA looked like a Next Gen game unlike Pro Evo. Although being a PES fan I have never been one for correct kits and names, it was nice to see the teams how they should look and to top it off playing at Anfield which was instantly recognisable. The game seemed to look like it played really well and as one of the guys spun round in amazement that Drogba had rattled the Liverpool crossbar from 6 yards he bumped into me.
After apologies were exchanged I asked him had he played Pro Evo this year and if so what did he think of it? Also how did FIFA play and compare as it looked impressive? They told me that they had given up on Pro Evo and so to had his mates who had all gone for FIFA this year. I explained that FIFA always looked like the old Millennium Dome. Stunning on the outside but not much going on inside.
To my amazement and in an act of total generosity he said for me to jump on the controls and take over from him giving his mate a game. I was explained that I had never played FIFA before and never used the Analog stick opting for the D Pad every time so his mate would kick my arse. But as soon as I took control I was amazed how easy it was to adjust to FIFA from Evo. The game is smooth and now has the game play that the graphics deserve. After a few minutes they said they had to go and I was left with both controls. I left it on 2 player mode and just got a feel of the game.
I was Liverpool and there were some nice exchanges between Keane and Torres. I then thought there was an earthquake but realised it was only the controller vibrating after I had hit the crossbar. Nice touch.
I was hooked so I ran back to work and ordered the game (£10 cheaper online with free delivery!) from where I had ordered the soon to be on eBay Pro Evo 2009.
The next day the game arrived and I cracked it open as soon as I got in from work and loaded it up.
The first thing you notice is how much effort EA put into their sports games. When the game loads it asks you to set up your profile so that it remembers how you like your controller configuration, game speed, camera, favourite team and the level of difficulty. If someone wanted to play on my 360 they would have to set up their own user tag so they didn’t muck up my settings. Great Idea.
The menus are friendly on the eye and the options are limitless and easy to use. After adjusting the game speed to slow (as normal speed is a bit too fast for my liking) and adjusting the camera angles I decided to set up a friendly match. As the game already knows that Liverpool are my favourite team it automatically selects them for me in the team selection. Not only that it also automatically selects a game against your local rivals so I get to play Everton. You don’t have to use these teams but I like the train of thought by EA.
While the game loads you can have a kick about with Torres and fire shots at a keeper to get used to how the game feels. Another nice touch.
But this is what has let down FIFA’s in years gone by all the above is great but means nothing without game play. Komani has had none of the above before but had the game play that EA could only dream about. But in FIFA09 EA finally have a game that is not only as good as Pro Evo (and it pains me to say) but is better.
While Konami have stood still in the New Generation era EA haven’t and have used these consoles to full advantage. For example the game is actually made in HD so it looks even better on a HDtv than a normal game. Konami take note. The players look real and look like who they are meant to be. No blocky legs and shorts made of cardboard here.
Passing is good the harder you press your button the harder and faster the pass. The same goes with shooting.
Players will make space and point to where they want the ball but defenders are good at reading those passes. But whereas previous versions have made a meal out of the simple things like passing, shooting, running and heading EA seem to have nailed it this time around after 14 years of trying. Another negative aimed at previous versions is that there is no passionate feel to it especially when scoring. Again EA have worked on this and listened to their public and sorted this out.
This is not to say the game is 100% perfect. It isn’t . It still has a few things that bug like when a goal is scored they could leave the focus on the ball in the net rather than trying to get you to do a celebration using your controller. I’d like to see the ball in the net longer and the keeper moaning at his defenders rather than try to get my player to slide in celebration of his goal. Sometimes the players do feel like they are on ice but not as much as before. Also when shooting the ball feels as if its one of those Woolworths 99p balls. You can finese to your shots but that move it tricky as you have to hold R1 when pressing the shoot button as well as trying to keep another finger on the R2 for pace. All a bit much for my pork sausage like fingers.
The commentary is from Sky Sports and Man Utd loving Andy Gray plus his sidekick Martin Tyler. They are not my favourite pairing in the commentary box but even I’ll admit they sound like they do at on TV. But then compared to John Champion and Mark Lawrenson on Pro Evo who doesn’t.
I haven’t tried the other game types yet but what does intrigue me is the Adidas Live League. I’m under the impression that the game is synced via Xbox Live with what’s going on in the football world today. For example if you were to choose Liverpool you couldn’t at this moment play with Torres or Skrtl as they are both injured. Only when they are declared fit by LFC can you use them. I would imagine that Red and Yellow cards obtained in real life would also stand in the game.
EA have really pulled out all the stops this year and have the game that the graphics deserve. After many years EA have finally caught and now overtaken Konami. That is something I never thought was possible. It will be interesting to see how Konami act as I know many who have left them for EA this year. One thing is for sure is that Konami need to work very hard in getting those fans back next year.
EA has proved that the best things really do come to those who wait…….
My Rating: 9/10 – Total football.
Posted under Games, Other Stuff
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