My week with FIFA 19

There is always a concern that spending R1,000 on a video game is going to be a complete waste of money. Our wallets are no longer as loose as they used to be, so we need to make the right choices when spending our hard-earned cash. This is definitely a concern for lovers of the FIFA franchise, as dropping that type of money on a game that looks and feels the same is certainly not a wise financial decision.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy on release day last week, and I was excited to get stuck in. There was a lot of hype around this release (I suppose there is every year where FIFA is concerned), so I wanted to check out what set this game apart from 2018's edition.

I must admit, I am very hard on FIFA when it comes out, as I know that the subtle changes made are hardly recognisable, meaning you get the same feel and a sense of déjà vu. However, that is not the case in the slightest this year, and I am so glad I get to write that - we have something new to enjoy!

The game just feels more realistic than ever before. Yes, you still get some ridiculous goals scored against you, but on the whole it feels like you are part of a properly physical game of football. You can no longer just take the fastest guy in your squad and glide past defenders, you have to work to hold onto the ball. This means that defenders are now on a level footing as those attackers who used to just push and run past them - remember, defending is an art in itself, so it is only fair that the realism of a top defender outsmarting a pacey attacker is brought to life in the gaming world.

The passing aspect has also been turned up a notch, making it far more difficult to just pop the ball around. You need to time your passes correctly, get your angles right, and ensure there is enough pace on the ball to reach your intended target. This is where players with better passing statistics stand out, as they are able to move the ball with precision, but you as the gamer still need to get it right, as a weak or strong pass can easily end in a counter attack for the opposition.

That physical side to the game and need to know what you are doing when passing the ball really stuck in my mind, as those two aspects bring that greater realism to the game on the pitch. While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may still be able to do the seemingly impossible, players like Jorginho, Koke, and Naby Keita become just as pivotal to your chances of reaching glory.

For the first time, I decided to give FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) a real go. My goodness, am I having a load of fun with that! Basically, the idea behind FUT is to allow players to build their own squads by using coins to buy packs, players, and consumables like contracts and fitness boosters. The further you go in FUT, the stronger your side becomes. Yes, I know FUT has been around for a while and I am a bit late to the party, but this aspect of the game is so cool, and I am sorry I didn't give it a real chance in the past. Oh, in those aforementioned packs you can pull legends of the game, including the likes of Pavel Nedved, Ronaldinho, and the real Ronaldo. That is not easy, but can you imagine being able to use Ronaldinho in a side that also contains Neymar and Harry Kane?! *shivers*

For the first time, FIFA includes the UEFA Champions League, which just adds to the overall professional presentation of the game. It is pretty damn cool being able to listen to the UEFA Champions League anthem with your favourite side out on the pitch (Arsenal fans, take note). I haven't tried taking Kaizer Chiefs to the CL yet (you can play it in friendly mode) - that might be a bit trippy, though.

For those who enjoy something a bit more aggressive and 'out there', you are able to play some new game modes in the friendlies section. You can play games with no rules - meaning you can hack down anyone and everyone... and get away with it, or you can try your hand at survival mode, which removes a player from your side every time you score a goal. That is a challenge and a half!

While I still have a lot more exploration to do with FIFA 19, my first week with the game has been a lot of fun. It doesn't really feel like I am still playing FIFA 18, and that is the minimum requirement fans of the FIFA franchise look for. There is no doubting the longevity of the title, and the fact that I have only been able to scratch the surface of the game so far means I will be at it long into the new year. There is a lot to be happy about with FIFA 19, I just need to work on my passing a bit more...

Images courtesy of EA Sports / FIFA 19