FIFA licensed football games always sell well as hardcore football fans lap up the annual update with the latest players, kits and stats. Partly thanks to a high profile advertising campaign ‘09 has been the fastest selling FIFA game of all time. The marketing department has obviously done their job well, but has the development team?
This year’s update sees new game modes and features added and the core game mechanics upgraded. Most notable is the improved physics engine, which gives a feeling of momentum to runs and adds a bit of crunch to the tackle. Players will jostle for the ball and their physical characteristics will come into the equation to decide who wins the challenge. Improved physics is also applied to the ball where poor first touches can cause the ball to dart away and blocked shots can rebound erratically.
New and more fluid player animations breathe some life into the thousands of professional footballers on the FIFA rosters. Coupled with the more realistic physics engine, it looks and feels like players are making contact and late or rash challenges at pace can result in some impressive spills.
Individual footballers’ skill levels now affect gameplay more markedly in all areas. Pinpoint passes and will be significantly easier with skilful midfielders, shooting from the edge of the box very difficult with the average defender. There is, of course, a high level of skill input required from the gamer. Trapping a ball when receiving a pass requires positioning of the right analogue stick, which if done correctly will allow you to guide the ball away from your nearest opponent. Even with assisted passing on the weight of a pass is determined by how long the button is held.
All these subtle tweaks to the engine have solidified FIFA’s claim to have the most realistic football action. As a result, match tempo and movement of the ball is reminiscent of what you might see in a real football match. Retaining possession and exercising a little patience in trying to expose gaps is key to scoring goals. Although it is a little harder to score than in arch rival PES, it is that much more rewarding and satisfying when your skilfully executed shot hits the back of the net.
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