EA FIFA 09 review

EA claims the PC version of FIFA 09 is specifically tailored to the PC gamer, and there's clear evidence to support this.

As well as providing sharper graphics than any of its predecessors, FIFA 09 has a keyboard and mouse mode in which you use the keyboard to control the movement of the player, and the mouse to pick where to pass, where to shoot and where you'd like players off the ball to run.

Playing a football game with a mouse feels awkward at first, but it's actually rewarding once you get used to it. The controls encourage a more patient, continental-style of football, as they make passing the ball much easier and more natural. As a result, you play more attractive and well-thought-out football, especially as using the W, A, S and D keys to control movement makes it difficult to run with the ball and take on players. The game supports joypads if you prefer, although using one will probably make you revert to a more athletic attacking style.

The players look incredibly lifelike, and the gameplay is smooth and largely free of glitches, such as superhuman goalkeepers. There's a lot of attention to detail, as players such as Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have unique animations. Crowd chants are specific to their teams and the commentary is far better than you'll find in any other football game.

The Be a Pro mode is a new addition to the game. Here you play as a single member of your team, rather than the entire squad. It's actually much more fun than we expected. Having to pay attention to your positioning and off-the-ball movement gives you a more realistic experience of what it's like to play top-flight professional football.

FIFA 09 is a much more realistic game thanks to its Live Season feature. This updates each player's statistics every week, based on the real player's form on the pitch. You get one league's updates for free, and you can buy further updates from EA for £5 including VAT per league. Customisable widgets in the menu screen also provide up-to-date news on your team, and you can challenge appropriate opponents online. The game's tactical management screens don't make the most of a PC's capabilities, though. You can't drag and drop for substitutions or scroll through the lists of teams or players, and control over tactics is limited.

Despite this, it's refreshing to play a football game that was made with the PC in mind. The keyboard and mouse control isn't perfect, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. The graphics are excellent, the gameplay is sophisticated and Live Season makes it thrilling to take control of your favourite team as it evolves during the campaign.