Final whistle
Finally, we have the Adidas Live Season, where you can download updates each week which changes players attributes based on how real players have performed in the most recent real-world matches. Gameplay changes dynamically as the performance of players in the real world experience the highs and lows during their campaigns.So early into the shelf life of FIFA 09, I’ve only been playing it a week, it’s hard to see how the changes impact on the pitch, but it has already made me experiment more with my team than I usually would - switching players that have performed poorly in the weekend’s real matches for one’s whose ratings have spiraled. So far, it’s proved to be an interesting feature, if only to see how the scouts have ranked real-life player performances.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out over the season and to judge whether if it really does have impact on players and matches. If so, it’s yet another innovative inclusion from EA.
Considering where the FIFA franchise was a few years ago where many, myself included, preferred Pro Evo’s substance-over-style approach to the beautiful game, FIFA 09 is a remarkable turnaround. Boasting great graphics, presentation, slick gameplay and an abundance of game modes, it's a tactically dazzling and entertaining game of footy!
Pros
Best looking football game on the planet
Tweaks on the pitch make a big difference
Wealth of game modes all of which are brilliant
Custom team tactics bring added depth to gameplay
Cons
Not enough time in the day to play it
A tactically dazzling game of footy!
HEXUS Awards
FIFA 09 (9/10)
