Anthony Martial has simply scored a belter. He picked the ball up 35 yards out, ghosted previous one defender with a shimmy of his hips, froze the following man with a stepover earlier than shifting the ball to his proper and leathering it into the highest nook from simply exterior the field.
It regarded spectacular in real-time, however once I gradual it down within the on the spot replay, it’s even higher. I can see the defender stumble on the first shimmy, the ball slowly rising after Martial hits it with backspin, and the keeper getting the slightest contact because it fizzes previous.
It’s solely after watching the replay, about 4 hours into my time with FIFA 19, that I actually begin to discover the little issues EA has modified since final yr. You crunch into tackles tougher. Strong gamers throw their weight round extra, shielding the ball from defenders. Agile wingers can slip away from tackles quicker, and if you do smash a volley previous a despairing keeper, it feels higher than ever earlier than in a FIFA game.
Yes, it’s one other yr of small enhancements, however they add as much as one thing that’s extra enjoyable on the pitch. Even if it doesn’t take the identical steps ahead off it.
The large headline function in FIFA 19 is timed ending. You can shoot the identical method you probably did in FIFA 18, however in case you faucet the shoot button once more as you’re about to strike the ball, you’ll hit it with additional energy and accuracy. Tap it too early and also you’ll scuff it. Too late and the ball will have already got left your foot.
It makes capturing really feel extra like actual life: in case you attempt it when the ball is caught underneath your toes, or when it flashes again to you out of a crowd of gamers, you’ll must react faster to get it proper, and due to this fact you’re extra more likely to fluff the prospect. But in case you have the time and house to arrange a shot, you’re extra more likely to join.
You can fully ignore it as a function, in order for you. But the standard of targets you’ll rating if you use it – like that Martial strike – make it a continuing temptation, and I like having a risk-reward battle each time I’m by means of on purpose.
I’ve all the time most popular capturing in PES as a result of it feels extra various, however timed capturing closes the hole by providing you with each screamers and scuffs. When mixed with new ball physics, which makes the ball really feel extra full of life, and fewer prefer it’s simply pinging between gamers, you’ll see way more selection in your targets than in FIFA 18. For each screamer, I’ve scored off a fluky deflection. For each overhead kick, I’ve poked the ball residence by means of the keeper’s legs from six yards. The act of sticking the ball within the internet merely feels higher in FIFA 19, and it makes an enormous distinction.
Things are higher in midfield and on the again, too. EA has reworked the best way gamers battle for the ball, which suggests it’s now not a case of simply getting alongside your opponent and mashing L2/LT. If a participant is close to the ball, they’ll go after it aggressively. Defenders will take ball and man in slide tackles, however attackers may also chase down free balls, generally turning a seemingly misplaced trigger of their favour.
In previous FIFA games, it’s typically felt like both tempo or pace dominates, however EA has bought the steadiness spot on this yr. A pacey winger can nonetheless burst previous a full again, and ability strikes usually tend to incorrect foot the CPU, however an enormous centre again will win a shoulder-to-shoulder battle with a smaller ahead. You can actually discover a participant’s strengths and weaknesses, and it makes for a extra plausible game of soccer.
Tactics are one other level of enchancment, however the brand new system isn’t excellent. You can set separate methods for every of the 5 mentalities (from ultra-defensive to ultra-attacking), shifting a variety of sliders to determine how deep your defenders will drop, or how huge your wingers will play.
You also can select completely different overarching kinds for each attacking and defending for every mentality, and there are many choices to select from. When defending, for instance, you’ll be able to select to get males behind the ball, go for all-out stress, or for one thing in between, resembling dashing after the ball for seven seconds after you lose it. You can actually really feel the impact on the pitch, too, and it creates loads of freedom for the way you arrange your sides.
But it nonetheless appears like a primary try. It’s fairly fiddly to arrange your techniques, and there’s no option to copy a template between two mentalities. I needed Paul Pogba to have a free position on the balanced, attacking and ultra-attacking mentalities, which meant flicking between the three and setting it every time. During matches, you’ll be able to’t change techniques for any mentality aside from the one you’re presently utilizing, which appears weird.
The new first contact mechanics are equally up and down. Tapping the best stick in any path earlier than you obtain the ball will make your participant do a elaborate flick. It feels nice if you pull it off – nevertheless it’s too straightforward to tug off. If you’re in house, you’ll be able to reliably flick the ball up and blast a volley residence.
These are each minor gripes that EA may repair, however the greatest grievance about FIFA 19 is that it merely feels too straightforward in opposition to the CPU. In profession mode, I performed on Ultimate problem, which was beforehand solely in Ultimate Team. I anticipated an actual problem. Instead, I ran away with the league as Man United. Opposition defenders will persistently fail to select up runs out of your midfielders, resulting in straightforward targets.
In one six-minute half in opposition to Watford, I ran up 4 targets, 17 photographs and 65 p.c of the possession, and I missed solely two or three sitters. Yes, my group was stronger, nevertheless it shouldn’t be taking place on FIFA’s highest-ever problem. FIFA has all the time been extra end-to-end than the extra thought of Pro Evo, however I might’ve appreciated to see EA gradual the tempo down barely, and make it tougher to create possibilities.
Still, you’ll be able to all the time go into the settings and fiddle with the gameplay sliders, altering every part from the CPU’s default dash pace to the prospect of a passing error, or the seemingly severity of any accidents. Those sliders are considered one of my favorite issues about EA’s sports activities games, and you’ll actually make FIFA 19 really feel like your individual.
Off the pitch, FIFA 19 doesn’t make many strides with its game modes. EA have secured a brand new Champions League license, and it’s undoubtedly cool to stroll out whereas the voice everyone knows so nicely sings “THE CHAMPIOONSS”, however I might’ve a lot reasonably they revamped Career Mode, which hasn’t modified in years.
The Journey story mode receives extra consideration, and now you can management three characters, together with the principle man Alex Hunter, who’s enjoying at Real Madrid. Switching between gamers if you need is novel, however I couldn’t convey myself to care in regards to the characters, who’re principally unlikeable. Lanky striker Danny Williams, who’s climbing up the Premier League ranks, merely calls himself ‘The Williams’. Ugh.
Worst of all, you’re requested to finish numerous coaching periods early on, so that you’ll must battle by means of a pair hours of boredom to get to the meaty bits.
And then there’s the behemoth of FIFA Ultimate Team, which is greater than ever: within the new Division Rivals event you’ll play placement games earlier than competing in opposition to gamers of an identical ability stage in tournaments. As in earlier years, I nonetheless assume you accrue gold cash too slowly in FIFA 19, which funnels you in the direction of spending actual cash to get higher gamers. But build up your group together with your favorite gamers is admittedly satisfying, and few different games can beat the fun or frustration, relying on which facet you’re on, of a detailed on-line match.
The greatest adjustments, maybe unexpectedly, are in Kick Off. You can arrange matches in several eventualities, essentially the most imaginative of which is Elimination, the place you lose a participant each time you rating. But my favorite addition is the power to create an account to trace your outcomes throughout completely different consoles, and file your matches in opposition to different gamers who’re additionally logged in. Last yr, I performed 50 games of FIFA over a few months with a good friend, and we wrote each outcome and scorer on three A4 items of paper. This yr, FIFA will maintain it for me.
I’d fortunately play one other 50 games with my good friend, and numerous extra on-line and in opposition to the pc, in FIFA 19. It’s a disgrace EA has uncared for profession mode and enjoying in opposition to the AI feels simpler than regular, until you’re keen to tweak gameplay sliders. But the adjustments EA have made – significantly to capturing – have paid off. FIFA 19 is healthier than FIFA 18 in nearly each method, and it’s extra enjoyable to play than another soccer game proper now.
For all issues FIFA 19, check out our guide.
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