Fifa Scores A Goal - And It's A Purler It Could Even Be Premier League

Sun Herald

Sunday October 12, 2008

ELIOT FISH

FIFA 09

Platform Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Publisher EA Sports

Price $99.95

Rating G

VERDICT Rating 4/5

FIFA has finally lifted its game to stand equal to Pro Evolution Soccer, its long-time football rival.

The decision will still be a tough one for fans, with each game exhibiting its own strengths and weaknesses, but FIFA 09 may tip the scales for some with its new 10-versus-10 online multiplayer.

FIFA's player animation is incredibly good, to the point where you could mistake the game for a Premier League broadcast. Improved controls now allow you to jostle for possession realistically as players show more responsiveness and agility on the ball instead of the stiff movement that spoiled past FIFA games.

The "Be a Pro" mode from last year has been expanded into more of a full career, allowing players to create their own fictional star and play over a number of seasons. Personal goals include getting picked for your national side and becoming first-team captain.

This practice should put you in good stead for online matches in which human players can make up every position on the pitch, bar a CPU-controlled goalkeeper.

There are still too many menus within menus to navigate and one or two glitches occasionally pop up but, overall, this is a super instalment.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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