FIFA09 full game: 1st Impressions
Okay, so today was supposed to be all about the PES2009 demo. And it would be if I could get hold of the damn thing. For some reason the demo download from the PlayStation Network is a whopping 1.45GB, and it’s chugging along at a decidedly sub-optimal speed. I started it nearly 2 hours ago and it’s only now hit 30%.
I don’t ever remember PSN downloads being so slow for me. Ordinarily it’d take about 30 minutes to grab a file that size—perhaps 45 minutes on a bad day. This looks like being a FIVE HOUR download. At first I thought maybe there was something wrong at my end, my ISP doing some sneaky traffic shaping, or whatever. But no. Looking at the forums, it seems everybody’s trying to get the demo at once.
And in a little while, I’ll have to pause the download while I do other things. For various reasons I won’t be able to resume it until very late tonight or early tomorrow. So, no PES2009 demo 1st impressions for me today. It’s disappointing but it can’t be helped. I’ll do it tomorrow now—hopefully.
————–
Today what I have got is the full FIFA09 game. My pre-order arrived through the post late this morning, thanks be to GAME—the best pre-order service in the UK, in my opinion. And no, I don’t get anything for saying that.
I had strong admiration for the gameplay on show in the FIFA09 demo. My equally strong dismay at the lack of any work on the single-player side of FIFA09, especially Manager Mode, is also on record. So will the full game make up for that?
I won’t beat about the bush. My trademark waffling style will have to be set aside, for today at least. Having spent a couple of hours playing FIFA09 just now, I’ve got no time for waffle.
FIFA09 could well be the greatest football computer game ever made. I played several exhibition games, 10 minute halves, England vs Scotland. I always play this fixture (as England) at the start of every new football game, and have done ever since the PS1 ISS games. For the record, it’s because it was always THE classic international fixture when I was growing up. A South American might play Brazil vs Argentina in their first few games. I play England vs Scotland.
I was almost literally open-mouthed. The handling of this game (football games have a handling in the same way that racing games do) is astonishingly great. And it’s faster than its predecessor. A good deal faster, not just in terms of player movement but in their response times. One-touch passing moves. First-time shots. All the elements that we still know and love from PES games of old are here in full, married to an apparent new FIFA philosophy of simulating the game of football whilst still retaining intuitive arcade elements that enhance the overall experience.
I played on Professional level difficulty, expecting an easy time. I didn’t get it. I went behind early, but then scored a neat goal with Rooney. It was from the edge of the box, a sort of quick snapshot of a goal that was rarely possible on FIFA08, where the players nearly always wanted an extra touch before shooting. Scotland won a penalty after I dived in rashly—I love the new ‘tumbling’ tackle animation, by the by—and they scored it and I lost.
I didn’t care. I had a big dumb grin on my face. I played another few games, drew some and won some. This is football.
There may be some down-sides. I’m not sure how effective the new tactical system really is, but I barely touched it so I’m definitely being unfair. The PS3 graphics are disappointingly chalky, especially in cutscenes—but, after spending all my PES years in asserting that gameplay is what really matters, I have to reaffirm that stance. Gampeplay certainly is what matters, and the gameplay of FIFA09 seems stupendously good to me right now.
I know, I know. The true measurement of how good this game is will be decided by how good I think it is in January, not now. But these are my first impressions, and I am pretty damn impressed.
I need to stop now. I’ll come back to FIFA09 on Saturday with a more in-depth look.
Greg
I downloaded the PES demo from the Marketplace no probs, not tried PSN as have also being playing FIFA 09 (thanks ShopTo) and like you IT IS THE BEST FOOTBALL GAME EVER MADE.
My customary match Celtic v Rangers on Professional 3-0, 2-0 and a few games with Man City. I have started my MM with Man City on world class first three matches have ended 0-0 draws on Manual controls with the exception of Semi shooting.
I am going to give PES another crack, first impressions are not complimentary. I will play a few more games before making a judgement.
It looks like FIFA for me this year.
My girlfriend has got me FIFA for Christmas.
I’m not allowed to open it until Christmas day.
I’m going to kick her head in.
heraldo – I started downloading the PES2009 demo on Marketplace first, before PSN, but it was damn slow too. I left it and went back to check after an hour and it was still only on 15%! Then it kicked me out. Charming.
The full FIFA09’s shooting feels different to me – a lot tougher to keep down and on-target. I can’t believe the forums are already filling up with people crying about the shooting. Let go of sprint! (I’d go in and tell them in person, but I’ve no time…)
What camera are you using? I’m using Tele, with camera height up to maximum and zoom down to minimum. It’s the first true Wide cam of the next generation. I love it.
Something I didn’t have time to mention above: the player individuality. They really come alive for me in this FIFA. The likes of Ashley Cole, Lampard, Rooney – all felt like their real-life counterparts.
Let me know how your PES demo session goes. I tried it briefly on the PC last night, but without a joypad my playtime was limited. My fleeting impressions were of an updated PES2008. Just using the cursor keys on my keyboard and nothing else I was able to ‘wonder dribble’ around the park with Messi, indefinitely. Worrying.
Big Al – I’ve been tempted, looking back at my post up there, to go in and edit it down and make my first impressions of FIFA09 a bit less gushing and giggly and breathless.
But this is a subjective blog, not a supposedly objective piece of journalism, and I’ll leave it be.
If I want to dial down my enthusiasm in the day, weeks, and months to come, I’ll post about that separately. FIFA09 is an extraordinary game of football, but the proof of any pudding is in the eating. Just don’t try to PES-it-up out there. Keep that finger off the sprint button….
hey dude
well i did manage to get the pes demo and it feels very much like an updated pes 2008 to me. as ive said here already ive been super impressed with the fifa 09 demo and everyone seems to love the full game. i think its too late for me honestly. fifa 09 has ruined pes for me forever……
74ND4 8E42 – I’ve just managed to get the PES demo and I’m working on a 1st impressions post as we speak… What you say about FIFA09 ruining PES for you is interesting. I was thinking exactly the same thing, and have thought it all year really, ever since FIFA08 appeared out of nowhere with its slow pace and rugged sim-like qualities. FIFA has changed the way I perceive football gaming, and for me that is the most shocking thing.