FIFA 19 - Footy Headlines Review
Within the last few days, we have been able to check out FIFA 19, which will be released September 28th, early on to provide you with a comprehensive overview of gameplay changes, all modes and everything else notable. First, we tested the Demo and its features, while we got a digital copy of the game one week prior to release thanks to EA.
Gameplay
Beginning with the most important piece of FIFA 19's clockwork, we are taking a look at the dynamics of FIFA 19. This year's biggest change is without a doubt the pace of the game. While it still stays true to being rather an arcade game than a realistic approach to football, FIFA 19 now delivers a slower pace than its predecessor, making it harder to burst through the enemy's defensive line with pacey wingers. On another note, EA emphasized the importance of tactics to now offer techniques to deeply support each playing style.
License-wise, EA now owns the creme de la creme of licenses with the addition of UEFA's Champions League as well as Europa League, which is also heavily promoted inside the game, even offering its very own mode as well as Kick-Off option. Considering the presentation, EA does a good job to live up to the hype.
Ultimate Team
FIFA's crowd puller has been Ultimate Team in the last years. This year's installment now offers deeper insight within the likelihood of drawing a top-notch player. Also, the Divisions system was revamped to now be a weekly contest of the so-called Division Rivals, which offer a rewarding system according to your skill level, similar to the Squad Battles one.
Kick-Off Mode
Normally, we would not feature EA's usual Kick-Off mode within a review. But this year, EA tremendously expanded the variety of options throughout the mode to deliver a wider selection - ranging from Survival Mode (Battle Royale tribute) to No Rules.
The Journey
This year's FIFA comes with the last chapter of The Journey. Always a hectic mix between training, cutscenes and matchdays, the Journey now has three main plots of Alex Hunter, Danny Williams and Kim Hunter to tell, which all on their own experience interesting events. However, The Journey suffers from being a mix of too much, sometimes losing track of the events or finding it hard to maintain long-term motivation to still work on your character's abilities and bring the story to an end. After all, it's nevertheless a satisfying addition to FIFA as a whole and fills the gap of storytelling.
Career Mode
As many may have already expected, FIFA 19's career mode is the biggest let-down. The mode, once praised and loved for its ability to make your dreams with your favorite team come true, nowadays rather advanced to a fill-in. It seems, as if EA does not care about Career Mode at all, as the only real change is the addition of UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Summary
FIFA 19 is somewhat an upgrade. The game adjusts some screws, but nothing huge eventually, with new license additions, gameplay changes and a more insightful Ultimate Team offering the possibility to keep FIFA fans entertained for another year. However, it's not the big feat its most recent predecessors have been.
