Platform reviewed: Xbox 360
Fifa’s progression since the leap to the current generation of consoles has been as resurgent as Hull City’s rise from the depths of the football league to the top flight. Just three years ago, Pro Evolution Soccer was the uncontested king of the football genre, capturing the hearts of the majority with its thrilling pass and move action. The Fifa series on the other hand was unceremoniously plodding along, producing yearly disappointments, and only maintained its fan base because of its official licenses and superior graphics.
Stunning: The visuals are as fantastic as ever, but the gameplay now holds up alongside them
Metaphorically pulling their fingers out of their back sides, the EA Sports team turned the battle on its head, with Fifa 08 proving a hugely popular instalment, which many believed edged PES 2008 to the crown. Returning to basics and focusing on the core elements of the game, the 08 edition made up huge ground on the competition, but nonetheless fell a tad short of the complete package.
This year, Fifa 09 has hit the nail firmly on the head, and the promise of ‘250 improvements’ has been seemingly fulfilled. With the pace upped considerably from its somewhat sluggish predecessor, along with considerably enhanced responsiveness, utilising some of the world’s finest talents is a joy to behold - especially when the pioneering trick stick is thrown into the mix.
Although it has edged ever so slightly towards PES in style, veterans of the series need not worry about the update moving away from its roots, because it still maintains the game’s traditional qualities. Passing, for instance, remains the key focus when attacking, but thanks to substantial advancements in off the ball intelligence, offensive manoeuvres are now more diverse than ever. Whether you fancy delivering Arsene Wenger’s stylish attacking moves or Sam Allardyce’s effective long ball game, the choice is now there to inflict either successfully.
In the single-player modes, Fifa 08 felt quite one dimensional at times, with wing play unwittingly forced upon the gamer when taking on computer controlled opponents. You now have to be more cunning, because simply smashing at the right analogue stick will no longer suffice when skipping past the full-backs, who now seem worth their salt.
Fifa 09 demands further involvement in all areas, such as the need to time headers and challenges to perfection. Witnessing John Terry and Wayne Rooney jostle to connect with a high ball is authentically gripping, particularly in and around the box where defenders appear to fight desperately for the ball like their cushy careers depend on it, rather than casually hoof the ball from danger without breaking a sweat, as they have done in the past.
Everyone says that goalkeepers are crazy, but Fifa 08 took this too far, with the likes of Petr Cech demonstrating the same intelligence that you would expect from a lobotomised goldfish. Screeching at them as they stand idly by with the ball two yards in front of them is a distant nightmare thanks to EA Sports, who have evidently spent a lot of time rectifying this issue. Although they aren’t without dizzy spells, it can be said that this area is arguably the greatest advancement from its predecessor.
In the multiplayer modes, these enhancements are greatly appreciated. Last year’s offering frequently inspired quite tepid affairs, but these have been substituted by open games with the increased potential to become goal-fests.
Egos will blossom with the new ability to rub salt into the wounds of your battered opponents through signature goal celebrations that are triggered by a few button presses. Seeing Sol Campbell perform Peter Crouch’s infamous robot dance is worth parting with £40 on its own.
Licensed: Hundreds of teams from around the globe are available with up to date kits
Carousing around with nine other team mates can become especially humorous in the newly improved ’Be a Pro: Team Play’ mode, which allows you to take control of a player in ten-a-side encounters online. You can guarantee that games will revert into schoolyard madness from time to time, as all user-controlled players hunt down an unfortunate opposing defender. Despite the increase in participants from last year, this mode runs extremely smoothly with minimal lag, summing up how far the Fifa series has advanced.
There are plenty of options to keep the solitary gamer entertained too. The ‘Manager’ mode once again returns, and although it does not quite capture the magic of the PES Master League, it remains an engaging and worthwhile experience. Beyond that is the expanded ‘Be a Pro’ feature, which allows you to create your own player and attempt to guide him from the reserve team to international glory in just four years.
As we expect with any Fifa instalment, there are a few irritating niggles, such as the synchronised jigs prior to kick-off and the odd crazy reaction here and there, but there is nothing significant enough to deter anyone.
Overall, this is a massive step forward for the Fifa series, fantastically capturing the hustle and bustle nature of the beautiful game, with an array of new animations and game play features. Every level of competition, whether it is League Two or La Liga, now oozes fun, and still manages to deliver the most realistic football experience on a console to date.
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