Fifa 09

Fitbah’ as they say, is a game of two halves. Virtual games are no exception, the standard halves are those who PES and them that FIFA. Up until the last few years, everything was clearly in PES’s favour. But socks have been a-raising recently, and as such, the competition for the top spot has never been stronger.

FIFA 09 is, in theory at least, just another update to the game that was FIFA 08 (see what they have done there?), boasting some 250+ enhancements to, well, stuff. As such, it’s not immediately apparent whether you should fork out for the game, but it seems 09 is not a year to mess around with.  Indeed, FIFA 09 is actually shaping up to be a ‘must have’ for the year.

Beyond many minor improvements that few are likely to notice, there are several key additions. One is the new animation and movement system. Players are, in theory at least, all a bit weighty, some more so than others (Roon’dog, we are looking at your carapace). This is now reflected in the new jostle system.  What this means is that locations, direction, etc. abiding, you can muscle folk off the ball if you are dense enough. This actually is a massively engrossing addition. Indeed, if there was one change that made the game feel more football, this is it. It changes your strategy, influencing when you pass and to who, and altering goal scoring chances quite a lot. Moreover, players gesture realistically too, calling for the ball, signalling offsides, etc.  These are small improvements, but engrossing ones for sure.  This system is the major leap forward both graphically and play-wise.

Other changes take the whole experience a step closer to simu-ball, with the game playing more realistically on several fronts. Players are all slower, as is the game in general. Scores remain realistically low, but as such, any goals you get are realistically satisfying. Headers and such must now be timed to when the player should jump, as opposed to just jumping in general; a subtle and somewhat confusing change at first, though again, massively satisfying when mastered.

Big changes to the team play come in the form of an on-the-fly tactics system. Allowing you to change battle plans via a range of sliders and button taps.  You can easily start and stop offside traps, or keep things midfield. Such tactics are definitely oriented for more advanced players, but are still an excellent addition; again, making the whole thing feel a more like a real game of footy.

Outside of the matches themselves, there is a whole range of game modes and whistely, bell-type things. EA’s new standard one player ‘Be A Pro’ mode is here, for those keen to make a player and play as him alone, in position, for a whole four seasons. Though why anyone would want to play a match only touching the ball 1/10th of the time is somewhat unfathomable. This has also been translated online to the new 10 v 10 multiplayer mode. Although this could be excellent with an abiding crowd, it will probably just descend into schoolboy ‘every man an attack’ styles.

Another new feature is Live Season mode, though 'mode' is quite a strong word for what is essentially a tacked-on subscription service, updating players stats to their real world counterparts. While you get one league free for one season, it is another money spinner.  After the first instalment, or if you want more than one league up to date, you are looking at the back of a fiver at the very least.

Chock full of new things and improvements, FIFA 09 is definitely more than just an update to UEFA 2008. It plays well, and feels much more engrossing. Teams play as teams, and players battle for the ball as they should. Controls are the best from any FIFA so far, and options both online and off give you plenty to do.  And as for whether it’s better than PES, it’s possibly more realistic, but perhaps a bit slower as a result.  In the end, personal preference will be the only decider, as things are certainly too close to call now. What can be said is that anyone who does buy FIFA 09 will not be disappointed.