Bleacher Report Official FIFA 2009 Review

 Okay, I have been playing my brand new copy of FIFA 2009 since midday yesterday and the first impressions were good, and now my final conclusion is that the game is...well you'll have to read the review first!

Graphics

The graphics are much improved over the last game, with the players able to pull more facial expressions to show either their disappointment or elation at an instant. At long last, the referee is now running around during the game, rather than only appearing to make a booking.

The crowd have been seriously worked on, and rather than them all looking like 2D figures, they actually look quite realistic. It shows just how much work has been done over the last year to make this as good as possible.

After conceding a goal against Ipswich today, I could actually see a fan in the third tier of the North Stand at Old Trafford wailing his arms in frustration, now that is realistic.

Sound

The commentary seems to be largely carried over from FIFA 2008, which is rather disappointing, but it does mean that we remain with the best commentator in the world, Martin Tyler, and the man that infuriates me so often, Andy Gray.

One thing that has disappointed me is that the commentary is not that great with the transfers that took place on the deadline day. Yes, Dimitar Berbatov is at Manchester United, but he is referred to like he is still at Tottenham. Quite frustrating when you score a 40-yard volley with him.

The music on the game is as good as ever, with tracks from quality artists like Duffy, The Ting Tings, Sam Sparro, and Radiohead. Naturally there is a few that you will have never heard of, but if this is their big break then who are we to deny them? Nothing from Muse though, and that really is disappointing.

Gameplay

The gameplay is better than ever, with free kicks as difficult as they should be and long range goals just as difficult. The tricks are all there and remain as crisp and surprising as ever.

One big difference is the tackles, rather than a player falling once you have gone through him, he falls in response to the direction in which you tackled from. They also respond to the ferociousness of the tackle, something which I demonstrated today—breaking Frank Lampard's leg.

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