Written By Alex "Hybrid" Mottshaw
16 September, 2008 07:47 PM

FIFA '09: First Impressions

What did everyone think? That I was given a fantastic first impression would be an understatement, because this game felt like it had been worked on for a whole year. While the demo is pretty bare and only showcases a glimpse of the final product, you can already see that every aspect the game has been improved. The graphics have been sharpened up and look much more appealing to the eye. The player faces have also been improved, along with the level of detail on the kits. The fans begged for responsiveness… and we got it, with interest. The three words I like to use to describe this game are organic, fluid and composed. If football games were likened to real life players, FIFA 09 would clearly be in the Zinedine Zidane mould.

The collisions engine has been met with warm reception by fans and FIFA diehards alike. Once you see it in action and realize the impact it has on game play, you simply can’t live without it. No more limbs through players and every ball, every tackle and every header is contested. That in itself makes FIFA 09 and even more realistic simulation.

The game play engine in FIFA 09 feels so different to last year's version it is unreal. A very close friend of mine who was hammering EURO 08 all summer claims it’s even significantly different to that in all aspects. One thing that seems to come under fire online is the ball physics. From playing the demo I feel that the ball physics in this year game are excellent, so I'm asking all the moaners to take a deeper look. There are claims that the ball consistently flies over the bar. However, this depends on so many factors it's unbelievable. The balance of your player, the timing of the shot, the type of shot and the momentum your player has before the foot-to-ball impact all play their part. Shooting in FIFA 09 may have become very technical, but in a good way. Once it’s mastered and gamers understand how to set themselves and find the best timing/positioning combos it will become a joy. That being said, scoring with the occasional hit-and-hope that flies in also feels great!

FIFA 08 saw EASports take a giant leap forward in satisfying the football purists and FIFA 09 is coming very close to finalizing their vision of the ultimate Football gaming experience. Come the 3rd of October we know you won’t be disappointed.

GotGames will be present at the Australian Media Launch of FIFA on the 17th of September, so stay tuned for all the latest FIFA 09 updates and news!