FIFA 09: Online Team Play
by 
Last night I had my first opportunity to get some time with Be a Pro: Online Team Play in FIFA 09. This year FIFA has expanded up to 10 vs 10 with only the goalie being CPU controlled. Also implemented is the Club system seen in NHL 09 and NBA Live 09.
In my first game I took on the LB position for Milan going up against Barcelona. The game ended in a 1-1 tie when Barcelona scored with just a few minutes remaining. It seems there is no OT in OTP. The game was completely full…20 different people connected and each player user controlled. Stunningly there was absolutely no evidence of lag. The online performance was about as perfect as can be. EA Canada continues to excel in this area and they deserve a lot credit for doing so. They’re delivering great online features and the performance to back them up.
Because of the slower pace that comes with soccer it felt as though there could be more strategy involved. I’m not sure if I would say it is as fun as the EASHL but it definitely gave a satisfying feeling that I haven’t had from playing a soccer game in the past. I’m much more comfortable focusing as an individual than taking over the whole team in FIFA. With so many people involved it gave me the vibe of an MMO. Even from just seeing all the gamertags above the players was a cool sight and made me feel a part of something bigger. As with NHL and Live they need to find a way to allow you to save replays from online games in the future.
I recorded a good portion of the game to show how the mode functions and how the game flows. I was pleased that both sides played true (no one attempting to ruin the experience) and had mutliple scoring opportunities. Continue on to view the video.
October 21, 2008 at 7:12 am
game of the year
October 21, 2008 at 7:58 am
Wow…all my bitching and complaining about the lack of different sports wasn’t for nothing. Thanks Pasta for finally switching it up!
I like the offline be a pro mode too.
I don’t know about game of the year but it is by far one of the best sports games of the year. PES is trash compared to FIFA.
October 21, 2008 at 8:11 am
nice vid… gonna have to rent this now
October 21, 2008 at 8:32 am
hey pasta, are the Sounders in the game?
October 21, 2008 at 8:36 am
Buying this one today, but getting Fable II as well. So many quality sports games and other genre games this year. 2008 has been a good one across all platforms.
October 21, 2008 at 9:02 am
No Sounders…that was actually the first thing I looked for. Unless I’m missing them somehow.
October 21, 2008 at 9:16 am
Pasta-
Is it like in NHL where you create your own character, or do you play with actual players on actual teams?
FIFA Noob here.
October 21, 2008 at 9:29 am
I’m not 100% positive since I haven’t even looked at the Clubs area, but I don’t think it is like EASHL. I believe it is just taking over a real player.
October 21, 2008 at 10:42 am
I too prefer the OTP in NHL, but FIFA excels in so many different ways that it edges out NHL 09 overall as my sports game of the year. Not by much, mind you.
October 21, 2008 at 11:57 am
The biggest issue with FIFA and NHL, both games I enjoy, is that these are not mainstream sports in the US. Yes, the NHL is popular in cities that have hockey however the lack of a network carrying the NHL (Versus doesn’t count) hurts the NHL.
Soccer is popular in certain regions. Both sports have strategies that most gamers, unless they follow the sport, may not comprehend. The sad thing is that both of these games are the best in EA Sports’ stable. I certainly hope that EA will catch up in Madden and NBA Live to these stellar franchises….
October 21, 2008 at 12:50 pm
[quote comment="42779"]The biggest issue with FIFA and NHL, both games I enjoy, is that these are not mainstream sports in the US. Yes, the NHL is popular in cities that have hockey however the lack of a network carrying the NHL (Versus doesn’t count) hurts the NHL.
Soccer is popular in certain regions. Both sports have strategies that most gamers, unless they follow the sport, may not comprehend. The sad thing is that both of these games are the best in EA Sports’ stable. I certainly hope that EA will catch up in Madden and NBA Live to these stellar franchises….[/quote]
100% Agreed! I don’t understand why EA as a whole can’t work together when it comes to their sports games? Madden is EA’s best selling game by far but yet it’s not even close to being their best sports game. Then you have NBA Live which is at the bottom of the barrell. The Madden & NBA Live team needs to take notes from FIFA & NHL. Not only for features but more importantly their gameplay.
October 21, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Epic game.
October 21, 2008 at 4:38 pm
[quote comment="42786"][quote comment="42779"]The biggest issue with FIFA and NHL, both games I enjoy, is that these are not mainstream sports in the US. Yes, the NHL is popular in cities that have hockey however the lack of a network carrying the NHL (Versus doesn’t count) hurts the NHL.
Soccer is popular in certain regions. Both sports have strategies that most gamers, unless they follow the sport, may not comprehend. The sad thing is that both of these games are the best in EA Sports’ stable. I certainly hope that EA will catch up in Madden and NBA Live to these stellar franchises….[/quote]
100% Agreed! I don’t understand why EA as a whole can’t work together when it comes to their sports games? Madden is EA’s best selling game by far but yet it’s not even close to being their best sports game. Then you have NBA Live which is at the bottom of the barrell. The Madden & NBA Live team needs to take notes from FIFA & NHL. Not only for features but more importantly their gameplay.[/quote]
definately. couldnt have said them both better. i live in south jersey so we get a lot of coverage for the flyers which i watch all the games i can. but for people in a non hockeytown(not just detroit lol), they probably dont get much. on espn, i barely see anything about hockey except maybe a really nice goal on top 10.
October 21, 2008 at 4:42 pm
wen i said “non hockeytown(not just detroit lol)” i worded it wrong. it sounds like im calling detroit a non hockeytown. i mean the opposite obviously. i know detroit is “hockeytown.”
October 21, 2008 at 6:59 pm
i played one game as a LB. I got kicked out. The team captain said I was playing too far back and keeping the other team onsides.
May 9, 2009 at 6:46 am
Excuse me, i have a few questions about online mode in FIFA 09. When i have set-up FIFA 09 in my laptop. so i clicked on FIFA 09 to enter the game, and it asked me do i want to download the latest version to play online, and then i clicked yes but i did't work and i went to the game and can't play the online mode in FIFA …. Can u solve this problem for me ? Thanks . Contact Email : terry-tran2691@hotmail.com
May 9, 2009 at 6:47 am
It was wrong email. terry_tran2691@hotmail.com
May 28, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I have the same problem do you already have a solution?
July 2, 2009 at 1:21 pm
amazing game
August 13, 2009 at 8:22 pm
HAVE THE SME OLD PROBLEM PERO VIVA MEXICO CABRONES
September 16, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Type your message here…