I picked up the game last night. Pretty sweet as expected and I'm really looking forward to the 10v10 online games.

I started a Be A Pro career last night and so far it's entertaining but I do have a few minor gripes:

After sending a pass with you player he just stands there like an idiot. I can't seem to keep him moving immediately after making the pass. This is problematic.

When calling for a pass the computer will generally put the ball on the spot you happened to be when calling for the pass. This makes no sense to me unless you're standing still when calling for the pass. It seems like they would pass it in front of you so that you could continue moving and run onto the ball. I know that you can call for a through ball and those generally work as expected but a through ball is not always what you need.

I can't TELL you how many times I've called for a pass at roughly the same time the computer is already passing the ball to me. This results in my player immediately passing the ball into oblivion when receiving the pass. VERY annoying. They need to fix this. It's a bigger issue than you'd think actually b/c sometime the computer will pass to you at logical times and sometimes they will dribble aimlessly while you're in a perfect position to receive the ball and make a run on goal.

I guess in comparison to the Be A Pro on NHL '09 this FIFA '09 Be A Pro mode is a little disappointing. The passing in NHL '09 is perfect.

The normal gameplay of FIFA '09 is outstanding however and there are a ton of improvements. In particular I like the new jostling and the more seamless animations. Shooting has changed a little bit. It seems like the power bar is more sensitive (you generate more power more quickly than in last year's version) and it's MUCH harder to shoot an accurate shot while at a full sprint. All of these changes seem to make for a more realistic game.

I'm loving this game (as I did last year's version) but unless they fix the Be A Pro passing flaws I'll either stick to Career Mode or 10v10 online play.

Anyone else have any impressions?

I love it. Admittedly, I haven't had a football game since WE7, and before that it was FIFA 01, I think, so this is WAY different for me. I love Be A Pro (tho I have noticed the same passing issues you have) - in general, playing as only one player in a game is a fun and different approach than the "be the ball and telepathically control the nearest player" method of play sports games normally have.

I'm really looking forward to jumping into the 10v10. That looks like awesome fun.

I used to absolutely love the FIFA games. I spent countless hours in college with my roomate playing each other on FIFA 06 for the original XBOX. FIFA and Gears of War are what made me break down and get a 360.
I got FIFA 07 with it and was SOOOO disapointed. Seemed like such a step back compared to '06 on xbox1. I hardly ever played and haven't been able to buy a FIFA game since. How does this compare to '07. I kept telling myself that it was the first iteration with the new 360 engine, etc. but I was not at all impressed with the Euro 08 demo either.

I'm really looking forward to jumping into the 10v10. That looks like awesome fun.

The 5v5 online play of FIFA '08 was incredible so 10v10 is going to be even better.

I've hated the last few fifa's on 360, but am really enjoying this so far. much improved.

The 5v5 online play of FIFA '08 was incredible so 10v10 is going to be even better.

It would be worth getting a team together for this, so players can stick to positions and play properly. I have a feeling 10 players you don't know may do just the opposite and all want to dribble and score goals.

It would be worth getting a team together for this, so players can stick to positions and play properly. I have a feeling 10 players you don't know may do just the opposite and all want to dribble and score goals.

I agree completely. I'm up for it. I've played soccer my entire life so I know the game pretty well.

How do we start a team? I've only had the game one night.

Maybe we can get this started tonight...

How does this compare to '07. I kept telling myself that it was the first iteration with the new 360 engine, etc. but I was not at all impressed with the Euro 08 demo either.

Man - it's WORLDS better. But if you didn't like Euro '08 then you may not like this game either. Try the FIFA '09 demo - it's out there and is fairly close to the real game play.

I kicked FIFA to the curb a few years ago and started playing Winning Eleven but a tried FIFA '08 on a whim and was instantly hooked. THEN I tried the online gameplay and all of a sudden I found myself sitting in a dark living room at 2 AM playing without trying to wake the kids with my screams of post-goal scoring glory. The concept of teamwork and building up the play is amazing when you're playing with human players.

FIFA '09 is even better.

I used to bash FIFA a few years ago raving on and on about how WE was better but eventually FIFA surpassed them and now they are WAY ahead.

I'd give it a shot if I were you.

Played online today. Fun! Playing with people who you aren't familiar with results in a lot of very direct play, but generally the teamwork is there. I assisted on a brilliant goal - managed to turn the right back and dribble down the end line, play a low pass in, who my teammate backheeled into the goal. Everybody on the team was screaming out loud! Gooooooooooooooooooooal!

Man - it's WORLDS better. But if you didn't like Euro '08 then you may not like this game either. Try the FIFA '09 demo - it's out there and is fairly close to the real game play.

I kicked FIFA to the curb a few years ago and started playing Winning Eleven but a tried FIFA '08 on a whim and was instantly hooked. THEN I tried the online gameplay and all of a sudden I found myself sitting in a dark living room at 2 AM playing without trying to wake the kids with my screams of post-goal scoring glory. The concept of teamwork and building up the play is amazing when you're playing with human players.

FIFA '09 is even better.

I used to bash FIFA a few years ago raving on and on about how WE was better but eventually FIFA surpassed them and now they are WAY ahead.

I'd give it a shot if I were you.

Didn't realize they had an '09 demo up. I will have to check it out tonight when I get home from work. I watched one of the videos the other day and it was looking like they may have made some progress.

That's so damn annoying. Generally, the team with the best spacing and positioning wins. You have no idea how many 5 on 0 breaks there are because the center backs and outside backs decide they need to push forward.

You can start a FIFA club - it's an option on the game. I think MileHighMurder will start up a team like this soon - it's in another post.

I've played a few times where all players are in their correct positions, and the result is amazing.

I agree completely. I'm up for it. I've played soccer my entire life so I know the game pretty well.

How do we start a team? I've only had the game one night.

Maybe we can get this started tonight...
That's so damn annoying. Generally, the team with the best spacing and positioning wins. You have no idea how many 5 on 0 breaks there are because the center backs and outside backs decide they need to push forward.

You can start a FIFA club - it's an option on the game. I think MileHighMurder will start up a team like this soon - it's in another post.

I've played a few times where all players are in their correct positions, and the result is amazing.

ok i'm a little late to the game but i just picked this up. i've noticed something strange with the carding -- it seems a lot of my (computer controlled) players will pick up a yellow card at random, without even doing anything, and without being near the ball! anyone else noticed this? i picked up 4-5 yellow cards in a game like this and it's already getting annoying

ok i'm a little late to the game but i just picked this up. i've noticed something strange with the carding -- it seems a lot of my (computer controlled) players will pick up a yellow card at random, without even doing anything, and without being near the ball! anyone else noticed this? i picked up 4-5 yellow cards in a game like this and it's already getting annoying

Probably the ref let the play go on and give the card to the player once the ball goes out of bounds, and you're not noticing the foul when it happens.