EA Sports allowed the international assemblage of game journalists extensive hands-on time with the upcoming new version of FIFA 2009. Here's what GamePro saw in this impressive demonstration.
Considerable gameplay improvements: Consistent with the company's improvements on its other football titles, FIFA 2009 exhibited some promising gameplay improvements. Most noticeable is the game's increased responsiveness. Passing, dribbling, and even the physical pushing and shoving that occurs in the game all occur at a much faster and more realistic pace than previous versions of FIFA.
The game's graphics have traditionally been impressive, and the heightened realism around the animations has a huge positive impact on the overall quality of play. Here's an example: During sliding tackles, the ball-handler can adjust and prevent themselves from falling if their non weight-bearing leg is tackled. Another example is goalkeepers' ability to reach behind their bodies if they misjudge a shot on goal.