Please, before anything else, make note of Figure 1 below:
So yes, you can conclude that Wednesday I purchased the amazing "FIFA 09" for XBox 360. Use the diagram to help decide if you should make the purchase.
Let me just run down the quick game modes you get:
1. Team vs. Team (offline/on line)
2. Be A Pro (control one guy, on and offline)
3. Career manager mode
4. 10 v. 10 online mode (w/create-your-own clubs)
If a sports game has more to offer, please inform me.
Let me put it this way. I played a game online Wednesday. The other guy chose Liverpool, I choose plucky Wigan (Zaki ... a 71?!), not realizing they play on Saturday. Lo and behold, he get a little bit of space with Dirk Kuyt up the right flank, crosses through to Steven Gerrard, who fires a low rocket through a stream of players into the net. It truly is, for once, in the game.
For those interested, I'll probably create some kind of a "T.O.P." virtual club for whoever might be interested. Please contact me and I'll pass along the info when it is ready.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of "FIFA 09" is the addition of the "Live Season", where for a fee you can have stats/rating updated each week in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A and ... the Mexican League. This makes me wonder how much the players will be motivated by their numbers in real life. Most players -- Rooney for instance -- are unabashed gamers. Hell, Chelsea's run in 2004-2006 was in part fueled by Lionheart's Pro Evo parties.
There are the usual complaints. Such as, why is the Czech league and random second division Brasil and Swiss teams included, but UEFA Cup winning Zenit St. Petersburg, or any Russian team, no where to be found. And yes, the Netherlands national team still has fake names.
All I can say is this game is tits. If you're a gamer and you love the beautiful game, "FIFA 09" can only improve the experience.
Saturday
* Middlesbrough v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta 7:30 a.m.) About once a season 'Boro strings together a solid showing against a top tier team. You'd like to think that with Chelsea missing Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho with Jose Bosingwa and Alex also doubtful, Gareth Southgate can rally the troops. I'll probably regret this pick. ... Boro 1, Chelsea 1
* Arsenal v. Everton -- (Live, FSC 10 a.m.) Like milk left out in the midday sun, I've soured on the Toffees. Even with David Moyes signing a new contract, they've lost their mojo, totally. Meanwhile Arsenal are a lot like the Dow Jones, up-and-down. Saturday should be a rally. ... Arsenal 2, Everton 0
* Aston Villa v. Portsmouth -- If I had the time I'd try to make a line-chart valuating the performances of Randy Lerner's two teams -- Villa and the Cleveland Browns and see if there was a correlation. No, it wouldn't be like Watson and Crick decoding the double helix, but whatever I used to have a lot of time on my hands. Portsmouth's shaky defense will be put to the test against the run-and-gun Villa attack. This probably goes down as the all-England game of the week. ... Villa 2, Portsmouth 1
* Bolton v. Blackburn -- With a better coach Bolton has some useful pieces that could equal a team that wasn't just relegation fodder. As long as Rovers retain Roque Santa Cruz they'll have a puncher's chance. Speaking of puncher's chances, this one ought to be a war a the Reebok. ... Bolton 1, Blackburn 1
* Fulham v. Sunderland -- (Delayed, FSC 6:30 p.m.) After winning two straight, Fulham have dropped three in a row. Sunderland isn't much better. These are three pretty valuable points to squirrel away from next spring. If there's anything to separate these teams, I don't know. ... Fulham 1, Sunderland 1
* Liverpool v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, Setanta 9:45 a.m.) Defense is the word of the day at Anfield, with only 10 goals allowed between the two sides. Liverpool might not have Fernando Torres, which does change things up a bit. Hard to feel bad for a team that still can pencil in Robbie Keane up top. Liverpool hasn't won a PL game by more than a goal. That changes this weekend. ... Liverpool 2, Wigan 0
* Manchester United v. West Brom -- (Live, FSC 12:30 p.m.) Rooney, Rooney, Rooney, Rooney! ... Manchester United 3, West Brom 0
Sunday
* Hull City v. West Ham -- (Live Setanta Canada, 10 a.m.) The more you think about Hull, the more amazing it is. The Tigers, on 14 points, are already around halfway home to theoretical safety. Second, after getting whooped 5-0 by Wigan, they've won three-out-of-four without defeat. It's clear this team isn't as poor as we all thought, and they're probably fueled by that lack of respect. Will they finish third? No. But they aren't that bad, amazingly. As for West Ham either they show up and compete or get completely thumped, not a lot of in between. ... Hull 1, West Ham 0
* Stoke City v. Tottenham -- (Live FSC, 11 a.m.) The battle for 19th place. Woo-hoo! Giving a quick glance at the fixture list, things still may not have bottomed out for Spurs yet. To say notching three points against promoted Stoke is necessary is an understatement. I've probably posted this before, but who is the leader on this team? If this was an American sport they could just mail it in and regroup, but a drop to the Championship would be entering the abyss with no way back. Now, go watch them win the UEFA Cup. Stoke, meh. Like the long throw-ins. ... Stoke 1, Spurs 1
Monday
* Newcastle United v. Manchester City -- (Live, Setanta 3 p.m.) For as out-and-out awful the season for Newcastle has been, they're still not in last place, which is a minor miracle. Shay Given said some stuff during the week, that may have rallied the troops. Having a rock like him in net, barring injury, put them in a better spot than say Spurs. Meanwhile, for all the bluster Manchester City has won three and lost four, which is pretty mediocre. Why I make this pick, I don't know. ... Newcastle 2, City 1
Last round: 4-6
Season: 29-40
So yes, you can conclude that Wednesday I purchased the amazing "FIFA 09" for XBox 360. Use the diagram to help decide if you should make the purchase.
Let me just run down the quick game modes you get:
1. Team vs. Team (offline/on line)
2. Be A Pro (control one guy, on and offline)
3. Career manager mode
4. 10 v. 10 online mode (w/create-your-own clubs)
If a sports game has more to offer, please inform me.
Let me put it this way. I played a game online Wednesday. The other guy chose Liverpool, I choose plucky Wigan (Zaki ... a 71?!), not realizing they play on Saturday. Lo and behold, he get a little bit of space with Dirk Kuyt up the right flank, crosses through to Steven Gerrard, who fires a low rocket through a stream of players into the net. It truly is, for once, in the game.
For those interested, I'll probably create some kind of a "T.O.P." virtual club for whoever might be interested. Please contact me and I'll pass along the info when it is ready.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of "FIFA 09" is the addition of the "Live Season", where for a fee you can have stats/rating updated each week in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A and ... the Mexican League. This makes me wonder how much the players will be motivated by their numbers in real life. Most players -- Rooney for instance -- are unabashed gamers. Hell, Chelsea's run in 2004-2006 was in part fueled by Lionheart's Pro Evo parties.
There are the usual complaints. Such as, why is the Czech league and random second division Brasil and Swiss teams included, but UEFA Cup winning Zenit St. Petersburg, or any Russian team, no where to be found. And yes, the Netherlands national team still has fake names.
All I can say is this game is tits. If you're a gamer and you love the beautiful game, "FIFA 09" can only improve the experience.
Saturday
* Middlesbrough v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta 7:30 a.m.) About once a season 'Boro strings together a solid showing against a top tier team. You'd like to think that with Chelsea missing Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho with Jose Bosingwa and Alex also doubtful, Gareth Southgate can rally the troops. I'll probably regret this pick. ... Boro 1, Chelsea 1
* Arsenal v. Everton -- (Live, FSC 10 a.m.) Like milk left out in the midday sun, I've soured on the Toffees. Even with David Moyes signing a new contract, they've lost their mojo, totally. Meanwhile Arsenal are a lot like the Dow Jones, up-and-down. Saturday should be a rally. ... Arsenal 2, Everton 0
* Aston Villa v. Portsmouth -- If I had the time I'd try to make a line-chart valuating the performances of Randy Lerner's two teams -- Villa and the Cleveland Browns and see if there was a correlation. No, it wouldn't be like Watson and Crick decoding the double helix, but whatever I used to have a lot of time on my hands. Portsmouth's shaky defense will be put to the test against the run-and-gun Villa attack. This probably goes down as the all-England game of the week. ... Villa 2, Portsmouth 1
* Bolton v. Blackburn -- With a better coach Bolton has some useful pieces that could equal a team that wasn't just relegation fodder. As long as Rovers retain Roque Santa Cruz they'll have a puncher's chance. Speaking of puncher's chances, this one ought to be a war a the Reebok. ... Bolton 1, Blackburn 1
* Fulham v. Sunderland -- (Delayed, FSC 6:30 p.m.) After winning two straight, Fulham have dropped three in a row. Sunderland isn't much better. These are three pretty valuable points to squirrel away from next spring. If there's anything to separate these teams, I don't know. ... Fulham 1, Sunderland 1
* Liverpool v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, Setanta 9:45 a.m.) Defense is the word of the day at Anfield, with only 10 goals allowed between the two sides. Liverpool might not have Fernando Torres, which does change things up a bit. Hard to feel bad for a team that still can pencil in Robbie Keane up top. Liverpool hasn't won a PL game by more than a goal. That changes this weekend. ... Liverpool 2, Wigan 0
* Manchester United v. West Brom -- (Live, FSC 12:30 p.m.) Rooney, Rooney, Rooney, Rooney! ... Manchester United 3, West Brom 0
Sunday
* Hull City v. West Ham -- (Live Setanta Canada, 10 a.m.) The more you think about Hull, the more amazing it is. The Tigers, on 14 points, are already around halfway home to theoretical safety. Second, after getting whooped 5-0 by Wigan, they've won three-out-of-four without defeat. It's clear this team isn't as poor as we all thought, and they're probably fueled by that lack of respect. Will they finish third? No. But they aren't that bad, amazingly. As for West Ham either they show up and compete or get completely thumped, not a lot of in between. ... Hull 1, West Ham 0
* Stoke City v. Tottenham -- (Live FSC, 11 a.m.) The battle for 19th place. Woo-hoo! Giving a quick glance at the fixture list, things still may not have bottomed out for Spurs yet. To say notching three points against promoted Stoke is necessary is an understatement. I've probably posted this before, but who is the leader on this team? If this was an American sport they could just mail it in and regroup, but a drop to the Championship would be entering the abyss with no way back. Now, go watch them win the UEFA Cup. Stoke, meh. Like the long throw-ins. ... Stoke 1, Spurs 1
Monday
* Newcastle United v. Manchester City -- (Live, Setanta 3 p.m.) For as out-and-out awful the season for Newcastle has been, they're still not in last place, which is a minor miracle. Shay Given said some stuff during the week, that may have rallied the troops. Having a rock like him in net, barring injury, put them in a better spot than say Spurs. Meanwhile, for all the bluster Manchester City has won three and lost four, which is pretty mediocre. Why I make this pick, I don't know. ... Newcastle 2, City 1
Last round: 4-6
Season: 29-40
Labels: FIFA 09, Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer, video games
I still have to see it to believe it. I picked up Fifa '08 last year and quickly traded if for PES. I hated the menus (you can't read them if you don't have a hi-def tv), the season mode (any game that doesn't include assists in it's stats gets a fail), the generic player ratings (what on earth do they base that one number on?), and the over all arcady feel of play.
I've heard good buzz on fifa this year, but it's going to have to have more than super gimicks to get me to pick it up. Seriously 10 vs 10 on-line? Is there anyone really clamoring to step into Gary Neville's shoes for 90min? Won't every game turn into 8 year old bumblebee style soccer? I just have visions of some 12 year old yelling roscoe jenkins!, as he tries to dribble up the middle of the field with Phillipe Senderos
I agree with Kevin. It's tough to believe that FIFA has finally figured it out. I've played the demos of both FIFA and PES on the 360 and so far PES still feels more natural. I'm probably still going to buy FIFA but it's a tough decision because PES comes out early in the States this year (November 11 according to EB).
PES also has the be a pro mode although they refer to it as Become a Legend or something like that. I'm very interested in those modes.
I actually would like to fill the Neviller's shoes for 90 mins. I think it would be more fun to give it a go at that position in a game than to just try and score as a striker. It would take a lot more skill and discipline to properly overlap to get crosses in. You would of course want to get a group of solid gamers together before trying it or else you would get stuck with crazy 12 year olds.
If I buy the game I would definitely be interested in the virtual club. I'll let you know. Keep up the good work.
for what it's worth PES lost the La Liga license and only has about half the actual Spanish teams. yeah, you can edit it, but in 2008 to not have the actual team licenses is a big thing.
also, fifa basically ripped off the PES controls.
I didn't like FIFA 08, but couldn't get enough of the Euro game, which FIFA only improves on.