FIFA

Since 1998 EA Sports has had the exclusive rights to the FIFA World Cup video games. However, due to the dominance of the PES series during those years these games were often overlooked by the soccer purists and sales were usually dependent on a younger audience and those who wanted a game to enhance their World Cup fever. Times have changed though and EA Sports now stands tall as the publisher of the king of soccer games, due to the success of FIFA 09 and even more so FIFA 10. Naturally the expectations for this year’s exclusive World Cup game were exceedingly high, particularly since the last time EA produced a specific tournament titled game, EURO 2008, it was received pretty well. In steps Simon Humber (and his team) to take up the challenge of delivering a soccer title that will fill us with excitement levels to match those we feel once the tournament kicks off.

Lace up your cleats, strap on your shin guards and step onto the pitch and play professional soccer your way in EA Sports' FIFA Soccer 09. Customized and designed exclusively for the Windows operating system, FIFA Soccer 09 allows players to experience the most authentic soccer simulation EA Sports has ever delivered on the PC platform as you live the fantasy of playing as a professional soccer player on the international stage.

Designed with a new 360-degree collision and shielding systems-representing the biggest innovations to the game engine in four years-FIFA 09 delivers more responsive, intelligent and realistic physical action than ever before. The combination of these enables players to behave according to their physical attributes. Player speed, direction and strength now determine everything from the severity of the collision to the outcome of possession. Plus, contact occurs with shoulders, arms and legs.

Players choose a team from the 199 nations available and compete against the computer or against other players through online gaming services PlayStation Network or Xbox Live. All 10 official World Cup stadiums are available for play.

EA has announced that there will be gameplay improvements over FIFA 10, such as a higher rate of player fatigue for matches at higher altitudes, with an advantage to a home team who plays at a higher altitude against an away team who does not. EA have also announced that players can get injured outside of international matches.

EA has also announced that the "Captain Your Country" mode will return, and that FIFA 10 owners can import their Virtual Pro for this purpose, and then earn CYC Accomplishments and attribute boosts. The game's penalty kicks have been changed in order for their outcome to better reflect the player's own composure. A "scenario" mode will be included with 55 playable scenarios from past World Cup matches.