FIFA 09: This Years Winner?

Just a quick hands-on preview with the PC version of FIFA 2009 - Rumor has it that the differences between the PC version and next-gen consoles are night and day. Next-gen versions are rumored to be running on an entirely new engine with massive game play improvements. We will compare versions when all have been released.
First and foremost, I must touch upon the new control scheme. For a first in any sports game, and contrary to my skepticism, EA comes through with a full mouse-keyboard control set. The mouse acts as a cursor throughout, borrowing a few tricks from the RTS genre. In combination with the standard WSAD-movement controls we see in FPS, you've got a whole new way of playing FIFA. It's very intuitive and just feels natural. Usually I'd be playing with my 360 controller. Not anymore.
Intrigued by the innovative new control scheme, I fired up a friendly match. Game play has been tweaked per Euro 2008 style, with minor adjustments to thru-balls and overall ball mechanics. Goals are relatively easy to score on Semi-Pro, and proves a bit more challenging on Professional and higher difficulties. Game play has been realistically enhanced over previous incarnations whether it be the new controls or physics tweaks.
As I dug deeper, a few flaws were noticed in the execution of the game. My first complaint are first touches, they are not only terrible, but there is no way to trap the ball either. Unlike Konami's PES series, FIFA has struggled with ball management . While I'll give them credit, it's much better than it used to be, it still needs work. Secondly, goal keepers just suck, literally. It seems EA has sucked all the life out of their frantic GK's. They simply don't do much of anything. They charge less, and tackle less. It makes for some annoying goals. What helps some is a feature within game settings that allows you to change the GK's difficultly separately from the overall difficulty. It helps but it does not save.
Visually, you definitely see an upgrade from last year. Players are represented well with a nice touch up on their looks. 3D grass is a visually pleasant feature as well. Although graphics for the PC version look better than 08's variant, I'm not convinced this is what 360/PS3 versions will have to offer. EA has delivered over 500 licensed teams and 30 leagues accurately represented with correct kits and badges. Manager Mode offers an ample seasonal mode that even offers more benefits than last years FIFA and PES releases. Tournament mode offers authentic tourneys as well as custom made. Gotta give EA props for the customized PC controls, that actually work, even with the few game play quirks you can tell FIFA 09 will offer some fantastic football gaming.
I'll be following this up with a preview of PES 2009 for PC in the coming week. Hopefully we'll be able to distinguish a winner out of the PC pack of these games.

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3 comments, 9344 trackbacks
Glad to see someone putting them to the test!
You'll Never Walk Alone
The article is good. I'm glad to see we're incorporating keyboard and mouse possibilities. The goal keeper thing is a let down, there's nothing I hate worse than a shitty goal by fault of the GK. We'll see how it goes.