FIFA 09 is the latest in EA Sports FIFA series, and quite possibly the best FIFA game yet. It’s challenging, realistic, and most importantly; incredibly fun.
Introduction
Every year the debate rages on as to which game is better; FIFA or Pro Evo. Personally, I’ve always been more of a FIFA man than a Pro Evo fan, and whilst I do enjoy playing Pro Evo, FIFA is most definitely my favourite of the two.
FIFA 09 is the latest game in the series, and EA has once more outdone itself in releasing a more challenging, realistic, and rewarding game than ever before. The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is phenomenal, and everything about the game is just absolutely sensational.
| Gameplay | Rating  |
A lot of new features have been added to the game, and FIFA 09 is therefore all the better as a result. The game will certainly not be for everyone; FIFA 09 is a lot more difficult than FIFA games have been on the past, if you’re looking for extreme realism though then you won’t find any better football game on the planet than FIFA 09. When playing FIFA 09 you truly get the feel of a real football game; the way the ball travels in the air, the manner in which players take their shots, and the way goalkeepers function also; all has been vastly improved, and the game plays a lot better for it.
What’s also so brilliant about FIFA 09 is the way that players react to decisions, passes, and fouls; body language is now a huge part of the game, and players will even point to where they want the ball played for them. The players are extremely expressive, and it’s these neat little touches that are all so excellent to see. Watch any real football game and you’ll see players expressing their pleasure and dismay when decisions do and don’t go their way; players are now equally as expressive in FIFA as they are in real life, and this is another fantastic example of the game’s supreme realism.
| Graphics and Sound | Rating  |
In terms of graphics; FIFA 09 looks excellent. It plays fantastically well, but visually the game has a lot to offer also. There’s excellent attention to detail, and this therefore adds to the game’s appeal. I’ve always been a fan of the commentary with FIFA, and the commentary certainly doesn’t disappoint with FIFA 09. There are times when the commentary doesn’t quite seem to keep up with the in-game action; on the whole the commentary standard is strong though, Martin Tyler and Andy Gray impress, and this is another absolutely excellent feature of the game.
| Multiplayer | Rating |
Playing FIFA with friends has always been a huge part of the game’s appeal, and the multiplayer appeal of FIFA has now become all the more spectacular due to the quality of the online gameplay. With FIFA 09 you can now engage in a Be A Pro online 10 v 10 match whereby you control one of the players on the field, and all other players on the pitch are also controlled by human players. 10 v 10 adds a whole new dimension to online multiplayer action, and knowing that you’re playing online with so many other people makes the whole online gaming experience so much more exciting and enjoyable. Missing important goal scoring opportunities, misplacing passes, and straying out of position; all is far more important when others are counting on you, and the pressure is always on with 10 v 10.
FIFA 09 XBOX 360 Cover Art
| Overall | Rating |
FIFA 09 is arguably the greatest FIFA game ever; I’ve been following the FIFA series now since FIFA 96, and can’t ever remember having this much fun with a FIFA game before. The FIFA series has taken another considerable step forward; FIFA 08 was excellent, UEFA Euro 2008 was even better, and with FIFA 09 the series has once more been improved. A game has been released far greater than I ever would have expected, and with realism becoming an ever increasing issue in the FIFA series; it seems that FIFA is getting better every year, and already I’m getting excited at the prospect of playing FIFA 2010 in October.
FIFA 09 is a game that all football fans most definitely must own.