Staff – September 25, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Each installment of EA Sports’ FIFA series innovates on the last, presenting players with increasingly authentic soccer play and granting them more control over adjusting and fine-tuning their gameplay experience to suit their needs. Though these changes may at first seem subtle or highly specific, they can make a world of difference for players who have had special concerns about FIFA over their years of playing it, whether these concerns be related to the graphical realism of the game, the ability to adjust match modes to be more inclusive of players with varying skill sets, or the desire for a more diverse range of ways to play. FIFA 19 makes meaningful adjustments to the FIFA formula in order to make even more players happy. We chatted with Associate Gameplay Producer Kantcho Doskov about the game’s most significant new developments.
One of the most striking additions to the game is “Survival Mode.” Its ruleset stipulates that each team lose a member should they score a goal, effectively providing an impediment to the team with the score advantage. This adds a tactical dimension to the game that is relatively novel for a game like FIFA that often attempts to adhere much more closely to realism. The result, however, is a fun new game mode that feels unconventional yet satisfyingly competitive.
Other new game modes include “No Rules,” ”Headers and Volleys,” and “Long Range Shots” Like “Survival,” these game modes run the gamut from being downright silly to presenting compelling new challenges, giving every kind of player a chance to have fun the way they want.
FIFA 19 has also added a litany of leagues. “This year, we’ve added the UEFA Champions League, one of the most requested additions to the game, that lets fans play what is considered by many as the pinnacle of club football,” Doskov said. “Additionally, we’ve added Serie A TIM, La Liga Santander, Chinese Super League, and more.”
Another major change to the game is the Active Touch system, which creates more animation variety when passing and shooting the ball. Control-wise, requesting any type of pass or shot will result in the player approaching the ball more naturally to contact it. Players will jump up more realistically to header air balls and stretch a foot out or slide for the ball when necessary.
To do the new flicks, all you have to do is flick the right stick in any direction and your player will attempt to lift the ball up with the first touch. With a controller plugged into a PC, holding RB and pointing the left stick towards an incoming ball will allow your player to disguise the first touch.
Above: FIFA 19
Image Credit: EA
The Timed Finishing feature is another addition that’s aimed at providing an extra mechanic to players who are seeking more ways to demonstrate their skill. It allows players to “time” an extra maneuver while making a shot to increase its power and accuracy. Failing the maneuver, however, might make the shot worse. It’s an optional feature and can be turned off completely for more casual play, but it’s a thoughtful design choice that allows players to adjust their game to complement their skill level.
The last major change to FIFA 19 is the addition of two new completely playable characters to The Journey, FIFA’s campaign mode — Danny Williams and Kim Hunter. “We wanted to give players a compelling story and the freedom to play through the story the way they want to,” Doskov said. “The ability to hop between each story at will, taking one character’s story well beyond another, adds a new dimension to playing The Journey: Champions and an interesting way to bring The Journey storyline to its finale.” Alex will also be able to choose a mentor as a part of his new team, Real Madrid.
These improvements, both major and minor, aim to make FIFA 19 a more inclusive experience for players of all different skill levels and gameplay preferences. If you’re curious about the conclusion to The Journey or have been longing for a new match mode with which to challenge your friends, you won’t want to miss out on FIFA 19.
FIFA 19 will be released for PC on Sept. 28. Currently, Origin Access Premier members on PC will be able to play the full game, and Origin Access Basic members can jump into the Play First Trial.
