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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Powered by the third generation of the EA SPORTS football engine, FIFA 09 features more than 250 core gameplay additions and enhancements that deliver the most responsive, intelligent and realistic action ever for the series. Enjoy turning defenders with more controlled dribbling and ball control, snapping off precision shots with improved first-time shooting mechanics and firing beautifully timed passes with greater accuracy, placing the ball exactly where you want it. With new player momentum physics the speed and weight of the player determines everything from the distance of a slide tackle and the power of a header to the severity of player collisions and the height of a player’s jump. Plus, players now behave according to their physical attributes with larger, stronger players dominating collisions, battles for control of the ball, and position in challenges for two player headers. FIFA 09 features new Custom Team Tactics that gives you all the tools to become a first-team coach. For the first time, go inside the game engine to customize the positioning and support play of your teammates and decide exactly how your team will play in any situation. Now you are the player, coach and manager! You have the power to adjust and customize tactical settings so CPU players and your team perform just like the real-world team plays or how you think it should play. Save your tactics and then make strategic decisions to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses, all on-the-fly. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 96
Play.tm
FIFA 09 is more than just an update; its another huge leap forward for EA. It is the marzipan on a Battenberg, and the designer dress on a super model. How they're going to top this I don't know, so enjoy this near-perfection while you can. Yes, this is simply the best football game ever made.
 95
MS Xbox World
If you are desperately seeking football pursuits both offline and online, FIFA 09 ticks all the right boxes. No longer is FIFA considered an exclusively glossy presentational tour-de-force, but can also relish in a flowing sensation that will be incredibly hard to contest.
94
Console Monster
With 30 fully licensed leagues, over 15000 players and a shed load of other features, FIFA 09 has really set the bar high.
93
MEGamers
FIFA 09 is an improvement over every football game ever released. The game now posses the gameplay engine, options, teams and online play. All in one package worth every bit of your money.
93
Team Xbox
A game for the soccer die-hards and for the general gamer looking for that breath of fresh air within the sports genre. There’s room for improvement, of course, but it’s easy recommending FIFA 09 to pretty much anyone.
93
WonderwallWeb
It is hard to say if this game will win over Pro Evolution Soccer fans, however it is a top quality football game which anyone who loves the beautiful game would be proud to have in their collection.
91
3DJuegos
FIFA continues its improvement with 09, probably the best title in the series. Traditionally this soccer brand from EA was well-known for its quality in the licenses and by the large amount of official championships, now it´s also famous because of its gameplay values. Impressive visuals, fast answer controls and polished pace. FIFA 09 is soccer. And that´s all.
91
ZTGameDomain
With all of its improvements FIFA Soccer 09 is by far the most impressive upgrade to any sports title this year. If you are even remotely a fan of the sport FIFA 09 is a must-buy.
91
PGNx Media
FIFA Soccer 09 is an extremely polished soccer title with great gameplay and presentation. The gameplay is a lot tighter than it was in previous years thanks to the new physics system and animation while still remaining fun to play.
91
Game Chronicles
EA does it again with FIFA Soccer 09. I am amazed that there are still those who swear Pro Evolution is the best soccer game. FIFA Soccer 09 has everything Pro Evo has, plus the kitchen sink. FIFA is simply the best soccer game on any platform.
90
DarkZero
FIFA is the new home of the hardcore football gamer.
90
PTGamers
From the refined playability to the game modes and, naturally, the new online experience for 20 players, FIFA 09 is the best football game available.
90
Destructoid
The responsive controls, improved animations and mechanics, the new collision system, and the amazing Be A Pro mode all come together beautifully to create one of the best football games I've ever played and certainly the best in the series. In short, FIFA 09 lives up to its own hype.
90
Cynamite
More realistic and a better atmosphere than ever – definitely the best FIFA-game up to date.
90
AceGamez
Even if you've got every other version of FIFA ever released, I can still recommend FIFA 09; the tweaks and twists that have been applied to the heart of the game make this edition indispensable.
90
Xbox World Australia
If you're a past FIFA player who hasn't liked the direction the game has been going, or feel its just the same old same old, pick it up and I guarantee you'll be impressed with the depth and the way the game plays.
90
Level7.nu
The gameplay on the field might not be perfect this time around either and still feels a bit sluggish compared to PES, but the shear wealth of content and improvements on the field are still massive. The Be A Pro mode and all the online functionality makes this a huge step up for the series. FIFA 09 is the best edition yet and definitely worth your money.
90
GameSpy
FIFA 09 is jam-packed with new content, from clan-based player support to real-world stat updates. Although it feels more like an incremental update than a revolutionary overhaul, EA doesn't need to reinvent the wheel so much as smooth out its edges.
90
Meristation
The best soccer sim of this generation. The groundings of UEFA 08 have been optimized in each and every most important sections; visually impressive, with improved playability and faster controls response, which was the biggest flaw on previous installments until today. Online mode for 10 vs 10 play will surely be a record-breaking in terms of participation. Features full licences, options and several game modes to entertain the audience for months to come.
90
360 Gamer Magazine UK
So FIFA – the series that has epitomised EA’s cynical ‘annual updates’ business model for so long – has suddenly turned the game on its head. No longer playing second fiddle to Pro Evo, the series now stands up brilliantly on its own merits and has set a lofty standard for Konami to match. Consider it EA’s way of saying sorry for churning out the same sh.t – year in, year out – for so long. And as apologies go, they really don’t come much more sincere than this.
90
Official Xbox Magazine UK
The best game in the franchise to date. It's genuinely good enough that it might even convert diehard PES fans if Konami's update this year ends up being as lacklustre as last year's.
90
X360 Magazine UK
In truth, FIFA was pushing an eight last time around, so to award this significant jump anything other than a nine would be absolute cruelty. As they say, bravo.
90
VideoGamer
The best FIFA game ever made. Over to you Konami.
90
Games Master UK
The best FIFA game yet and a big, big improvement over last year. [Nov 2008, p.58]
90
Thunderbolt
Its refined gameplay is at the heart of a title brimming with confidence and its multiple modes will keep you playing for months.
90
Gameplanet
A truly spectacular soccer title with exceptional player animations, ball handling and gameplay to boot. The AI will provide a significant challenge, but the implementation of one of the most advanced and complete online modes will mean that this game will truly last you a long time.
90
Gamestyle
An impressive variety of modes, great online play and plenty of touches make this a football fans dream.
90
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
Here is the best football simulator available in the market. It presents the emotion and tactical elements of football like no other, maintaining a connection with real world trough the Live Season. The online mode 10 vs 10 is a milestone in the genre. [Oct 2008]
89
IGN UK
FIFA 09 returns to the pitch full of swagger, and it does it’s very best to deliver on EA Sport’s promise of creating the definitive football title. An exacting game on the pitch and an overwhelmingly comprehensive one off of it.
89
Jolt Online Gaming UK
FIFA 09 is by far the finest football game of the year, if not ever, but there’s still a way to go before EA Sports’ series can be classed as perfect.
88
Cheat Code Central
If you haven’t played FIFA in a while, now’s the time to jump back in; this is a great game of soccer. But, if you’re an old hat to the series, the most compelling reason to purchase FIFA 09 may only be the roster update.
88
HellBored
The FIFA series has been stuck somewhere around Division Two for the last few years, but the 09 version is the best yet.
87
XboxAddict
I would highly recommend this game to any soccer fan and would also go as far to recommend it to someone looking for a bit of a change in the sport genre of games.
87
Da Gameboyz
EA Sports has finally gotten into gear with FIFA Soccer 09 after some very good but flawed efforts in past.
87
GameZone
Aside from some AI problems, FIFA Soccer 09 is a fine representation of the sport, and the new features keep the series fresh and competitive.
86
IGN
FIFA Soccer 09 is the tightest playing football on the market and has definitely raised the bar for what Pro Evolution Soccer will need to accomplish to retake the crown this year.
85
GameFocus
EA Sports has finally gotten into gear with FIFA 09 after some very questionable releases over the past three years. The sound and graphics are among the best available in any sports game and the overall game-play has improved leaps and bounds from the past HD releases. There still is room for improvement and I am confident that the future editions of Be a Pro will be better tuned and more rewarding.
85
Xbox360Achievements
A very pleasant surprise and one that finally appeals to football fans of any ability. This game is simple to pick up and play but offers enough depth for veterans to still find something new. With plenty to do both on and offline it’s a real turnaround for a series that has had its share of criticism down the years.
85
Official Xbox Magazine
The best addition, though, is undoubtedly the glorious 10-vs.-10 Be A Pro online mode, which lets every participant commit to a single position for the duration.
85
Planet Xbox 360
FIFA Soccer 09 is a step in the right direction with online play, but fails to have intelligent computer AI to give you a challenge by your lonesome. The on-field controls have improved though, at times, you won’t notice it since you’ll be exceedingly frustrated by your teammates kicking the ball out-of-bounds.
85
Game Over Online
FIFA Soccer 09 looks the best it ever has, the controls make it user friendly, and the improvements to player movement and animations make it the most realistic soccer game on the market.
83
GameShark
FIFA 09 has two interesting features, and while they don’t always live up to their full potential, are exciting and intriguing enough to warrant giving the game a shot.
83
1UP
FIFA 08 suffered from stilted, unnatural movements and imprecise controls, but 09 models players' physical weight, speed, and momentum with impressive verisimilitude.
80
LEVEL (Czech Republic)
FIFA 09 comes with a new system of passes, stunning graphics and the all elements are taken almost to perfection. Fun for both newcomers and veterans! [Oct 2008]
80
Game Informer
Some strategies, such as asking your AI players to perform freeform offensive runs, aren’t really executed, and I found that they expressed themselves better in the traditional playing mode rather than Be a Pro.
80
PALGN
FIFA 09 might not be a photorealistic replication of the beautiful game, but it’s finally reached a point where you can care about the type of game played within your console as much as the one played in Old Trafford.
80
D+PAD Magazine
As a heavily-tweaked version of last year’s game, FIFA 09 may not have arrived with as much flair as that of its predecessor, but nevertheless it’s a solid and impressive assertion of the ‘new’ EA’s intentions to be market-leaders, rather than simply settle for second-best.
80
Gameplayer
Pro Evo, for me, is a better single-player game. FIFA is a better multiplayer game, and also, this year, a better football game overall.
80
Video Game Talk
Overall, "FIFA 09" only appears to have minor adjustments to the game play, but they provide more responsive controls.
80
G4 TV
FIFA 09 is the culmination of lots of great features, like robust online support, stat tracking, and the excellent Be A Pro mode, that have been marinating for quite a while. This is the first time they’ve all come together to form a very tasty mix of soccer action.
70
games(TM)
This dripfeeding of improvements is starting to frustrate. [Dec 2008, p.106]
Nam T gave it a9: Gord P gave it a9: AnActual Game Designer gave it a6: Jim P. gave it an8: Tony D gave it a10: Adrain G. gave it a7: Nik B gave it a9: |
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