The FIFA series is definitely on a high right now. It’s taken full advantage of Pro Evo’s lack of innovation by making major innovations it’s self. The Be-A-Pro mode, the great online options and all around better match engine has really helped FIFA’s return to form. The thing is with the brilliant advancements FIFA has made over the last few years is it possible to do it again?
This years major addition or at least improvement is to the Be A Pro mode. Recently improved in the series summer expedition of UEFA Euro 2008, this mode basically allows you to play as one player on the pitch. You then attempt to work your way up from the reserves to the full team. Obviously in Euro 2008 it was limited to national teams only but now we are back to the main series they’ve gone whole hog with it by expanding it to four seasons worth of development.
You can now move between clubs at the start of every new season. Work your way up from the reserves to tweener to first team choice to eventually the fan favourite or captain. You also get a similar progression for the national team but that one takes a whole lot more work and time. Similar to a RPG you can easily update your skills by gaining experience and applying them to loads of different areas of your game. It’s probably best to sort out your finishing and shot power gages first so you are potent in front of the net, unless for some bizarre reason you are playing in defence.
Be A Pro mode is also played from an entirely different angle as default and this allows the game to not only show off it’s brilliant graphics but it also lets you see more of the action that’s important to your player. The game’s indicator bar has also been improved but still gets a bit confused when your player is involved in the thick of it. This mode is quickly becoming a major element of FIFA and now it’s tough to imagine a future game without such a mode.
Meanwhile the core game is quite similar but if you can believe it, it plays even more fluid and smoother than previous renditions. The animations have been tweaked especially in tackles and the commentary has been slightly improved if a tad bit repetitive. The game still lacks a serious offline season mode with injuries, transfers, cups and progressive leagues with relegated and promoted teams but there is enough here for you to enjoy.
Online wise the highly bated 10 vs 10 mode makes it’s debut and it plays really well if you fancy the long wait for all 20 players to join. 10 vs 10 mode is exactly what it sounds like by having 20 real gamers play as separate individuals on the pitch. These games require team work and cohesion but they also need nobody to disconnect or prat around making harsh tackles and generally ruining the game. It’s a shame that these things happen quite a bit and like previous versions any players who have disconnected are then controlled by the captain. This can lead to you controlling one player on a team and the skipper controlling the other nine and this ends up with a lonely feeling experience. Nevertheless if everyone is up for a game and preferably microphoned up this mode can be brilliant.
FIFA 09 is another example of EA Sports’ vision for innovative games. This time four or five years ago it was incredibly easy to mock or dismiss any EA Sports game but now it’s quite the opposite. FIFA along with NHL is leading the way with it’s innovative features that are hard to put down. FIFA 09 surprisingly ticks all the boxes for what the sequel to FIFA 08 should be and then some. If your remotely interested in Football games then this is a must buy.
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