EA Sports’s long-running soccer series has always grasped a crucial concept: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. FIFA 19, out Sept. 28 on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC, is no different.
Sports titles go about their annual refresh in different ways, some years bringing about more tangible change than others. For its last several iterations, FIFA, has continued its steady progression: given the overall quality of in-game action, there’s never been a need for the game to reimagine itself, and thanks to mindful tweaks to the look and feel of the game, there’s still something new to sink your teeth into.
To be fair, I’ve spent time playing FIFA dating back to 2002, when Thierry Henry covered the game and there were only like 10 criteria with which to determine a player’s rating. Admittedly, I’m slightly biased, but in that sense perhaps even more appreciative of how the gameplay has evolved. This year’s chief adjustments work together to make a significant difference in allowing for more realistic styles of play, if simulation is what you’re looking for. An improved first-touch system coupled with ball physics that feel appropriately random make winning and retaining possession more rewarding than in years past. FIFA introduces a new timed finishing mechanic that places emphasis on users’ skills and allows for gratifying wonder-strikes if executed perfectly. The play feels more measured and appropriately paced on whole.
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