14 DAY TRIAL // When we found out earlier today that FIFA Manager 09 would hit the stores this autumn, we also started to dream about the new FIFA 09 and wondered how much it takes until Electronic Arts announces it, too. As you can see, we were not left waiting for too long, since the official announcement is here, filled with details: platform-specific features, overall revamps of the game and basically everything else you want to know regarding the new iteration in the successful soccer franchise.
The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version of the game promises to bring us no less than 250 additions and enhancements! We have no specific details on the matter, but we must admit we're really pleased - it's probably the biggest host of changes ever brought by Electronic Arts in a game. I might even dare to go that far and say that probably not even brand new, original IPs released by EA during the past few years had so many new things!
New animation technology and a more responsive first-time shooting and passing, faster and more controlled dribbling, improved trapping, new player momentum physics and realistic player collisions are just a tiny bit of the improvements to be brought to us by FIFA 09 for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
"We listened to our consumers to make the changes that they wanted," said David Rutter, Producer of FIFA 09 on the PlayStation 3 system and Xbox 360. "No other game has over 250 feature changes and additions focused on improving core gameplay. We have an absolutely authentic recreation of the real sport through attention to detail."
The Nintendo Wii version of the game will offer two ways of playing: the classic 11 vs. 11 and a new arcade 8 vs. 8 mode featuring Mii versions of the football players (including superstars like Ronaldinho and Rooney). Of course, this version of the game will feature motion and point and play controls with four levels of difficulty, from the advanced ones ready to be a challenge for the experienced players to the easy, AI assisted controls best suited for novice players.
On the PC, FIFA 09 promises to bring some huge improved visuals that exploit the power of hi-spec systems. Players have been remodeled in order to bring some ultra-realistic gameplay and the control schemes have been revamped a bit, too, this time EA offering us customizable mouse controls.
500 new animation sequences have been introduced in the game, which is going to be released this fall, in order to turn virtual titles into something as close to the real thing as possible. Also, a brand new collision and shielding system has been implemented among other goodies, all of which prove that, this year, FIFA 09 will be the ultimate hit when it comes to football simulation.