FIFA 09 Event in Munich
The PC-Version
written by
Daniel Kaltenthaler, FIFA 4 Fans.com
For years there haven't been too many changes on the PC version, the graphic engine is old and ugly in FIFA 08 and even the gameplay was not as excited as lot of people wished. But with FIFA 09 there apears a new kind of FIFA: We have played the game, and it looks much better, you can play it much better and it feels better - it is better!
Designed for the PC
In recent years there have been used the Playstation 2 version for the PC version. This comes to an end now. The PC version is designed for the PC, it is not a converted version of a console. Thus, the game is now independent, and no longer dependent on certain characteristics of consoles.
Polished, deep gameplay
The changes in gameplay is clearly evident. In the range of collisions (especially in the air) have been worked a lot: A completely rewritten logic with 350 new animations ensures that collisions of two players are very realistic and understandable. If two players jump simultaneously to the header, it now makes a difference whether you have a heavy boulders or a flyweight as opponents. Height and the weight of the players and of course the right timing to decide about who is the winner of a two-fight.
In practice, the game is now very smooth. Passes go quickly to the next player, the player animations are elegant, and not bumpy anymore. The ball jumps more realistic now, and it bounce from players comprehensible. Well: It's really fun to play FIFA with this gameplay.
Comparing the gameplay with the NextGen version, so there is no big difference anymore. In my own opinion, there are still some points which could be improved to get perfect, but on the other hand there have been some guys on the event who said that they prefer the gameplay of the PC version instead of the one of the NextGen version. Which one is really better is probably a matter of taste. The fact is, however, that the biggest change in the gameplay since 4 years pays off.
Redesigned menu
A renewal can be found in menu design. Here are not only the already known menu items, but also various widgets. If there is available an Internet connection there widgets include some information about your own status, your own team, the community up to news of your own favorite teams from the real soccer world.
The menu itself is now also optimized for higher resolutions, even in HD monitors the menu now looks nicer..
New controll by using keyboard and mouse
If you do not have a gamepad, you previously had always to play by using the keyboard. This was unfortunately always a little wrinkled and inaccurate, gamepad users have always had an advantage. EA Sports now has built in a new control system where you use a keyboard-mouse combination.
The principle is basically very simple: The player can be moved with the keys W, A, S, D. If you want to use these keys because you think it is too complicated, you can optionally activate the "follow the mouse" mode. Then the player is automatically following the cursor whereever you move it. With the space bar you can run faster, by using the Alt key the speed of the player is reduced.
By using the cursor you can decide where the pass will go. Left click is a pass to the selected target, if you hold the left button, there will be a cross into this direction. Right click stands for a shot. Tricks are also on the middle mouse button. If you hold this key and move the mouse in a certain direction, the trick will be done.
This sounds strange one the one hand and complicated one the other hand - but it is not. If you practice this controll a bit, and you get used to it, you have a very precise control about the game.
Of course, you still can use a gamepads or use only the keyboard without a mouse - these possibilities are still available.
Next Generation Graphic
The fact which everyone had been waiting is now finally finally: FIFA 09 contains the NextGen graphics and makes a big step towards console version.
The player models are now as pretty as the ones out of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox360 version, so that even the muscles of the players can be identified. 3D grass grows from the ground, pretty shader and glowing effects have been added. The players look totally realistic, have a natural skin colour. It is possible to recognize Michael Ballack not only because of his face, but also because of his deceptively similar 3D hair.
However there are still missing some things. The stadiums are not yet adapted to NextGen, the spectators and the surrounding area in the stadiums have not been renewed yet. The NextGen changes have been primarily done in the area of the playing field which you can see all the time during the game. Nevertheless, the overall picture of the graphic is very positive.
EA has made a big step. The main focus has been on the NextGen graphic on the field in FIFA 09. EA will continue working on the graphics, so that - perhaps next year - there will even more Next Generation graphics available
Fully constomized PC controll
Also a new feature is the possibility that the whole controll is fully configurable - which also means that the defence and attack commands can now be separated. previously The command for "shot" and "tackling" have always been on the same button, but in FIFA 09 it is possible now to assign two different keys to these commands.
Online Mode
EA now has removed the outdated Match Maker. Now it is no longer necessary to load an external program to be able to play online. Instead it is now the same system as in the NextGen consoles: The online lobby is directly included to the FIFA menu.
System requirements
The NextGeneration graphics - of course - increases the system requirements a lot. How much these requirements will be is not clear yet, because the game is still in development and EA still tries to improve the graphic performance more and more.
If you have a high-end graphics card as the GeForce 8800 and 3 GB of RAM, you don't have to worry, you will be able to play the game in full details.
If you have a rather weaker PC you can adjust the level of details and lower it step by step. It's possible to set it to the FIFA 08 level. So if the game is not running fast enough, just switch of some details, and you can play FIFA 09, too.
Conclusion (PC Version)
The PC version makes a big step forward. Because of the Next Generation graphics it looks really great, the gameplay is similar to the Next-Gen consoles. In short: The game is just fun, it plays out different and looks different than the predecessor. FIFA 09 has no reason to hide, EA has done a great job.
I look forward to the Games Convention where we can have a look at the game again.
fifa09.de
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I can't wait, guys!
You dont see much. And where did you see these infos for the PC? 
