FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

[Krebstar]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

I woke up this morning and knew there was something I was looking forward to. I couldn't think of it, so I just figured it was the presidential forum on CNN tonight, haha.

Now I remember, FIFA demo!

Sadly I'm at class for another five hours, but I'm seriously considering skipping my next one to go download the demo and play.

How long are the halves on the demo?

[Qb]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

How long are the halves on the demo?

Two minutes. As a student advisor, I can't in good conscience recommend that you do that. But since I'm on vacation today, go for it!

[thriller92]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

So its only out for xbox right now and ps3 is coming out next week like the nba live demo too? Why dont they come out at the same time for both gaming consoles?

[Vince]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

PS3 should be out tonight.

[Qb]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

OK, I think I'll play one more then log some time with NHL. Some final thoughts for now:

* The ball physics feel pretty good. Crosses still feel a little floaty to me, but better than 08 I think. I haven't had much opportunity to experiment with the different types and powers (I'm using Semi crossing assist for now), so take it for what it's worth. But the shots are fantastic! Guys who can hammer the ball are noticeable and to repeat, the hard driving, rising shot is finally there. No more floating or balloons that go into the stands. You'll miss high for sure, but it seems to be much more realistically implemented...

* Again to reiterate, so much more movement this year on both sides of the ball. Defenders cut out passing lanes, attackers move into space (seems more prevalent on free from organization which makes sense). I haven't had that "why won't anyone do anything?!?" feeling of frustration that I often got in 08 while waiting for my teammates to make themselves useful.

* The aerial game is fantastic. I've seen tons of different heading animations depending on my position, jostling and timing of the command. Defensive clearing headers are still a tad weak, but manageable and maybe better than 08, but don't quote me on that. Also, I've seen some decent power on offensive headers, some really weak ones if it was awkward, but have yet to so a truly powerful one. I think I'll use Chelsea again and try to feed crosses to Mr. Drogba all game.

* I can definitely tell the difference in playing against Chelsea (got outshot 6-0 and outpossessed by a fair margin), Schalke/Marseille (pretty even due to my lack of skill at this point) and Toronto (they barely threatened and I had around 60% of the possession). Not only does talent seem to matter more, the style differences are apparent as well. Schalke is set as an aggressive defensive team & played as such, while Chelsea were all over me. I think I'll do Chelsea/Milan to finish and try to experience that thrilling Italian sit back & defend style...

* Almost forgot, regarding offsides... Defenders now raise their arms just like real players so annoyingly do! Also, I've seen different timing on the whistle, not sure if this was in 08. I've had a few obvious ones blown dead immediately, but also had one or two that were delayed enough that I didn't expect them. It was so incredibly frustrating, just like when it happens when you're watching the real thing...

* Another thing I noticed immediately but keep forgetting to mention, CPU defenders will not hesitate to clear the ball into touch. I've seen numerous clearances hammered over the sidelines and over the end line for a corner as well when they're under pressure. I don't think I've seen any of the incredibly annoying upfield clearances that go directly to the CPU attackers to start the counter that was so prevalent in Euro. I hope this plays out like this over the long haul as that was one of my biggest gripes with Euro's gameplay...

* Did I mention I love the new shooting? If you have time & space, you can rip 'em, so I think that defensive positioning will be at a premium. I am at least a tad bit worried that it might be a little too effective, as I'm on semi-assisted shooting and I'm having no trouble placing hard shots and beating the keeper when open. Perhaps that's good, perhaps bad, only time will tell. I'm more worried about online, as I suspect most people use assisted. I can only imagine the scores of some 10v10 games...

* Again, PK shootouts are so well done. Everything from the crowd to the cutscenes to the pacing and right down to the reactions of a crucial miss or conversion from both sides is spot-on. If you played Euro, it's very similar and the overall feel is simply great.

* If this is any indication of my overall impression of the demo, I just got NHL 09 yesterday and hockey is my favorite sport (footie is a close second)... I can't stop playing FIFA right now. Unbelievable...

[foreversport]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

All of this sounds fantastic. Can someone please post when the demo hits the PSN Store?

[Spanky]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

thanks for impressions guys - waiting on my new gold card in the mail or for the demo to change over to all accounts...ARGH

Can't you just create a new XBox Live silver account, with a different username, email and gamertag, and get a month's free gold trial membership, just for the purposes of downloading the demo? That's what I did a few weeks ago and I was able to download a few demos (NHL 09, NHL 2k, NBA Live) on the first day with a silver account.

[chicubfan]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

can someone tell me how to curl the ball on set pieces? thanks

[welshman11]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Can't you just create a new XBox Live silver account, with a different username, email and gamertag, and get a month's free gold trial membership, just for the purposes of downloading the demo? That's what I did a few weeks ago and I was able to download a few demos (NHL 09, NHL 2k, NBA Live) on the first day with a silver account.

We're about to find out

WOOT! downloading now - ty for this tip brother

[Qb]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

FYI, if anyone is still reading my stuff, I keep adding edits in so there may be some things you missed. I just realized that I didn't comment on the overall speed/pace of the game. I think it's reasonable, but I'm still looking forward to giving the slow setting a go. With the default speed, I think online could be quite quick with top-drawer teams, as it was at times in Euro, especially in OTP when everyone is sprinting like mad...

[DaImmaculateONe]

Wats that song playing sounds like a Prince song?

[Hutton]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Can you check out the custom tactics in the demo? Like can you mess with your teams strategy, forms etc?

Also, can you check to see if they added the ability to select FK takers in-game on-the-fly, like you used to be able to do in the PS2 version?

[Posty-McPost]

Forgive me if I missed this in previous FIFAs but I just noticed that AI players will point at where they want the ball to be played. And then make the run. Very cool.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Getting ready to fire it up, just got home. I was only able to play for about three minutes in the arena this morning before rushing out and almost being late to work. One thing I noticed in those few precious minutes is how the ball is so much more "alive." I hammered a couple from range to see if that was improved and the ball danced all over the place in flight. Very real. Also Ronaldinho handles like a dream. Well I'm off to fire this up again! Hopefully my Xbox will hold up through a few matches before I have to ship it off...... Brian

[KG]

Re: FIFA 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

FYI, if anyone is still reading my stuff, I keep adding edits in so there may be some things you missed. I just realized that I didn't comment on the overall speed/pace of the game. I think it's reasonable, but I'm still looking forward to giving the slow setting a go. With the default speed, I think online could be quite quick with top-drawer teams, as it was at times in Euro, especially in OTP when everyone is sprinting like mad...

Can you put the edits in bold or another color por favor?