Naturally, being part of the FIFA stable, this offering features practically every world football league known to man (and possibly a few that aren't) so if you happen to support a team of some description, then chances are it's included here. In terms of game modes, the usual suspects are joined by some entertaining newcomers. The execution of set-pieces is still a bit iffy but by and large EA has clearly listened to the criticism aimed at the 2008 instalment. Within a few seconds of loading up a game (Leicester City against Nottingham Forest - a classic East Midlands derby match between two largely mediocre teams - what better way to put the game through its paces?) we found ourselves effortlessly skipping through the hapless Forest defence, popping off reaction-shots on goal with almost clinical precision.Īlthough it doesn't quite offer the same intuitive controls as the home console releases, FIFA 09 nevertheless overcomes the rather awkward control layout of the DS (which to be fair has never been the ideal machine to play football games on) to offer a fairly comprehensive degree of command. Passing, crossing and shooting all feel more natural and computer-controlled team mates are also smarter generally the entire package seems to hang together more convincingly. The control setup is very similar to the one seen twelve months ago, but everything feels like it flows far more effectively - this could have something to do with the excellent frame rate but we're more inclined to put it down to tightened control and faster responsiveness.
The kits themselves even possess a visible 'sheen' and appear to shimmer in the sunlight.ĭiving straight into the game itself reveals that EA hasn't been idle when it comes to gameplay, either. This increased fluidity hasn't come at the expense of detail, either compared to last year's version FIFA 09 looks far more sophisticated, with complex player models and instantly recognizable kit detail. Like a player proudly pulling on the season's latest kit design, FIFA 09 is resplendent in its shiny new graphics engine and although we're sceptical about the publisher's claims that it runs at sixty frames a second, there's no denying that it's as smooth as a baby's posterior. Sporting a new graphics engine, updated statistics and the coveted 'Be A Pro' mode, FIFA 09 on the DS is serious about capturing the title, but does it possess the consistency required to become the ultimate champion?įirst impressions would suggest so. Konami's last effort possessed all the flair and skill of an inexperienced bench-warmer fresh out of the youth academy, and while FIFA 08 was a step in the right direction for EA, it was still a far cry from the kind of brilliance we've become accustomed to on other systems.Īnd that brings us neatly to this year's update. However, despite some sterling performances on the home console formats, both FIFA and PES have struggled to make a significant impression on what is undoubtedly the world's most popular console right now: the Nintendo DS.
UPDATE FIFA 09 PRO
It's somewhat fitting then that the fans of EA's FIFA and Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer are engaged in a similar rivalry both series have been running for well over a decade now (although PES used to ply its trade under the name International Superstar Soccer) and in that time they've succeeded in annexing the entire world soccer video game market, making rival franchises look like hopeless low-league minnows in the process. These hotly contested encounters are given an additional degree of interest by fans purely for territorial reasons - as the name suggests, the proximity of the two teams involved means the fans of both sides are forced to spend the entire year eyeing each other up and waiting for the handful of times a season their respective clubs clash. In football, few matches cause the pulse to race as much as a tense local derby.
0 kommentar(er)
