Yes, you read that right: the FIFA series is now better than PES. (In my opinion, of course). And that's what it's all about really, opinions, as I'm sure the PES-hardcore are already laughing at that statement. However, FIFA is such a complete football package that I really find it difficult to understand any real argument against the notion.
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We'll start with the superficial: the looks. This needs no introduction as fans of the series will know that this is and almost always has been the best looking footy game money can buy. Sometimes it seems as though every blade of grass is individually rendered, the players look more realistic than ever, they've toned down that plastic, next-gen sheen and generally the graphics can't really be faulted. Yes, you've got the odd players looking nothing like they do in real life, but the days of tall, skinny, Asian-looking players called Michael Owen are long gone.
However, it's not just the looks department where FIFA deserves praise, the plethora of gametypes and gameplay options are overwhelming. You can simply play a one-off match, a full season with the club of your choice, go online, the new 10v10 multiplayer, Be a Pro Season - both online and offline - it's all too much.
Be a Pro is the most fun I've had in ages. Taking control of one position of your choice, sitting back and following the game, gaining XP for you to use leveling up your player is a completely unique experience that everyone must try out. 10v10 multiplayer works very well, but you really need a cohesive unit and good communication otherwise your team of superstars end up looking like an U9s school team with everyone running in packs after the ball.
The most important addition this year is the tactics. Your team is now completely customizable and tactical changes mid-game really can make a difference. However, it's not just cycling through some pre-sets at half time; you can now make use of the new quick tactics option which allows you to map instructions to the D-pad to change the game on the fly. I've found myself losing a match and in the last 20 minutes I just flicked a button and my full back pushed right up and one of my midfielders made his way into to the box. I ended up coming back to win the game. It's those little things that make a good game a great game, and FIFA 09 has an abundance of them.
The animation and ball physics have also been restructured, and its with the latter that we start to see a few cracks in the woodwork, so to speak. Whilst the animations are lifelike and seeing your players clap a pass that perhaps he couldn't get to only adds to the realism. In the case of the ball physics, they might not be to everyone's taste. The ball moves a lot slower now and players wishing to recreate the fast passing and moving of the Manchester United's and Barcelona's out there might be a little disappointed.
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Also, if we really put the game under the microscope, it still suffers from the monkey goal-keepers with Kenny Everett hands syndrome: Basically, it's almost impossible to beat them at range, and the easiest way to score is to break into the box and slot it under them. You do begin to ask yourself why you bother to create space for yourself on the flanks and put a cross in as the AI mops up nine times out of ten. In fact, sometimes it feels like your only route to goal is through the middle, which is a shame. Of course, this is the AI we're talking about, as these problems don't exist when playing against friends or some random nobody on the Internet.
FIFA 09 VERDICT
But we’re being really harsh there, as these really are quibbles. There’s so much to see and do and everything is so well executed that it feels relatively cheap at the asking price. If you really are sitting on the fence as to what football game you should be buying then you really need look no further than FIFA 09. Even if you’ve bought PES for the last 148 years in a row, if you don’t give FIFA a look in, you really are missing out on something special. Can’t say more than that, can we?
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