FIFA 19: 4 updates that will change the game

Last year, FIFA 18 was widely regarded as an encouraging reboot of the franchise, returning from the emphasis on midfield play in FIFA 17 to the pace dependent end-to-end gameplay of older versions. Despite this, FIFA 18 had much less success and longevity in the gaming world than in previous years, largely due to the meteoric rise of Fortnite. The changes made this year look to reverse this trend, and return FIFA to its former glory as the king of the gaming world.

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#4 Braver Challenges

One of the biggest problems in FIFA 18 was auto-defending, whereby players close to the ball would often not tackle the opposing player with the ball, an infuriating issue which resulted in goal-scoring opportunities which could not be prevented no matter how skilled the defending player was.

EA promised to address this issue in FIFA 19, and from the released gameplay there seems to be huge improvements with defenders making stronger tackles and sometimes even colliding with opposing players when winning the ball back. This in-game fix will make FIFA 19 a lot fairer, preventing skilful attackers from exploiting broken auto-defending and allowing players defensive tactics to shine through more consistently.

Auto-defending in FIFA 18

#3 Timed Finishing

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final

Dubbed as the most significant change to FIFA 19 game-play itself, timed finishing provides yet another frustrating layer to an already complex shooting mechanism in the game. After setting up a shot, players are now provided with a “risk/reward” shooting option, whereby pressing the shoot button again as your player connects with the shot can increase its stats, potentially moving the ball quicker and with more curve. Timed right, the indicator above the player head turns green, and the shot is improved; timed wrongly however and the shot will skew off above the net or dribble into the keepers hands.

Whilst many are backing the introduction of this new feature, it looks to work in a similar way to the new penalty taking mechanism which most casual players find infuriating to play with. Personally, I think this is a poor addition as it adds another layer of confusion to shooting and the timing bar will break the player’s immersion in the game, similar to the way penalty taking does in recent versions. However, normal shooting remains the same- so at least this new addition is optional.

#2 Player Profiles

Germany v France - Semi Final: UEFA Euro 2016

In another big update for local play, FIFA 19 has added profiles which can be chosen before any match. Each profile will supply huge statistical analysis on the player’s performance, showing a variety of strengths and weaknesses that become ever more detailed the longer someone plays the game, down to the number of average tackles made and cards conceded.

Even better, it compares between other profiles, allowing debates between friends to be ended forever, and making the competition more fierce than ever before. With this addition, the bragging rights don’t end at the final score, as the foolproof profile system makes sure the losing player never forgets that 5-0 demolishing they got from you ten games ago. This is my personal favourite addition to FIFA 19.

#1 House Rules

Olivier Giroud in FIFA 19

As part of the Kick-Off mode revamp, FIFA have introduced “House Rules” which allow players to hilariously change games up with a variety of rule changes. The “Headers and Volleys” mode only counts goals scored with (you guessed it) headers or volleys. The “Long Range” mode adds an intriguing basketball element to FIFA by giving two points to a team scoring from outside the box, whilst “No Rules” mode will provide endless brutal and priceless entertainment for casual players. “Survival Mode” is FIFA’s answer to Fortnite, where a random player is sent off every time a team concedes.

This mode was last seen in FIFA Street’s “Last Man Standing” mode, which used the same concept as Survival Mode in a 5-a-side setting. This mode looks to be the most interesting of the House Rules additions, as the tactics that can be used are endless. Do players go for the throat early on to get an advantage? Do they sit back and not risk conceding? How will gameplay change when both teams score multiple goals? With House Rules, FIFA developers have shown an amusing level of self-awareness after criticisms from fans that the game has become too boring, and provides a layer of entertainment which casual players will love.