Fifa 09! finally!!!

FIFA 09
Release Date: 3rd October 2008

I recently downloaded and played the FIFA 09 demo and thought I might post some thoughts on it.

Gameplay

As with the FIFA series gameplay is basically the same, soccer (football), in the demo version there is only one team from each league available and I chose Chelsea. Advanced tactics are similar to the FIFA 08 ones. I am unable to comment on Manager Mode because that wasn't there in the demo 

A new feature of FIFA 09 is the ability to get weekly player form updates from EA so instead of having to rely on EA's guessing mechanisms you can well see how well your players are going. The one flaw in this is that usually gamers don't play one game a week so form updates might affect a month in game time or so depending on the user.

Graphics

The graphics have drastically improved in this version when being compared to the FIFA 08 graphics... The players are actually shown with high detail especially on the face. Physique differences are also noticable now. The graphics have improved to the point where I get 30-60fps which is exactly the same as I got on Assassin's Creed on the same machine both with details maxed out. The 60fps is the VSync if you haven't noticed already. I hit 30fps when the camera zooms in to a few individual players such as a goal kick or free kick. Anything in between is when the players are celebrating or when the ref is walking over to give the beloved red card. I wish they would make the audience a bit more dynamic though, they are just 2d objects waving their hands in the air, I don't care if you make 10 different 3d spectators and re-use them in the entire crowd, it'll look better at least.

I believe it is possible for a computer with worse graphics to still be able to play this at reasonable settings. (Low)

The Vista required rating for this game is a 3.0 and the recommended is a 4.0 if that gives you an idea.

EDIT: *In-Game Settings*

Graphics Settings:
Resolution
...

Level of Detail
Low, Medium, High

3D Grass
On, Off

Post Processing Quality
On, Off

Depth of Field (Shader quality must be 2 or automatically set to Off)
On, Off

Shaders Quality
0,1,2 (2 is highest)

Sounds

No commentary was available in the demo version unfortunately which I noticed instantly and missed . The crowd's cheering and booing reacts with what is happening on the field, make a bad tackle and they respond accordingly, ref makes a controversial decision and instant booing.


Conclusion

FIFA 09 is definitely a step up in terms of graphics but thats pretty much it. Manager mode isn't here yet so can't really comment on that. The User Interface has stayed the same so not much can be said. This is a demo version so they could always add stuff to the full version. People who enjoy the FIFA series like me should get it when it comes out and if you can't wait you can get the demo (link at bottom).

Pros 
- Improved Graphics
- Weekly player form updates
- Crowd cheer accordingly

Cons 
- Weekly form update a bit flawed
- Crowd is still.... 2D....
- No commentary... yet

Rating: Recommended!

Sims 3 is COOOMING!!!

Never two without three for Maxis and Electronic Arts which parties appear to be well for us repeat the dual of Sims and Sims 2 with a new simulation of life that is expected on PC in the course of next year. Because of the reputation of the series which leaves clearly not indifferent, Sim 3 has been sinking a lot of ink. We had only a few catches, a few animated sequences since its announcement and the Games Convention has enabled us to see it all in motion and in the details. First impressions on a game still in full development. 

The Sims 3

The Sims that are no longer afraid to go to the corner? 

From the beginning of the presentation, officials from Maxis who made the trip to Leipzig have been very clear: the version we saw, though already very rich, is only a rehash of work and many elements are to refine, rework or even completely redo. On the merits, things should not change that much, and at first glance you realize that the gap between The Sims 2 and The Sims 3 should be substantially identical to that which we had already experienced during the passage of the first Sims named the Sims 2. 

The Sims 3 Photo

While many extensions have been developed to bring some life into the Sims 2, this third series of the famous series should, at the base, already be very open. Thus, during the presentation, guests were initially insisting on the concept of city / village. Our Sims are no longer alone in the world and their house is incorporated into a city, a community that moves, changing ... In short, lives. This community can enrich the lives of our comrades who have real friends that you can see that evolve and can meet for example through small parties. 

It is of course in this community that our Sims will exercise their professional activity. It does not really change what we were used to seeing with previous Sims except that now the concept of work is much richer. The Sims are defined in different ways and the concept of "traits" makes its appearance. A Sim can be lazy worker or, rather nice or rather bad, very open, very curious or lymphatic frankly ... These criteria will obviously shape the character of our Sim and have an influence on its development. 

The Sims 3 Pictures

It is interesting to note that these character traits should not directly be found among children of our Sims. Through the education of children, players can actually really act on these traits of character and we have also learned that a pregnancy carried out more or less disobedience can lead to more negative traits. The genes are thus not everything in The Sims 3, even if the parents will face a very significant influence on the children. Since we are talking about physiognomy, it is interesting to detail the creation of Sims. 

The Sims 3 Images

Directly linked to the revolution and technical chart that accompanies this third opus, the tool creation Sims is impressive wealth. The player should take advantage of "models" much more numerous and more precise to create its Sims. It will be possible to choose the sex of her character, to act on its body, its muscles, its size or fome of each element in his face. There may of course defines the color of his skin Sim, but also choose their hairstyle, hair color and dress. These elements essential to the richness of a game like The Sims. 

The Sims 3 Screenshot

More than ever, players can get people who are really what they want. It is then not to spoil everything during the game. It is interesting to note that as was already the case between The Sims and The Sims 2, protected our grandchildren are showing a little more justified. There is no example more necessary to tell him to go to the toilet to relieve our Sims have finally understood that the bursting of bladder was not a technical evolution humanly viable. Same for everyday activities, which should give one side less daunting, less routine play and help focus on the social bond through countless activities that developers have promised to detail soon ... To be thus! 

The Sims 3 Wallpaper

So we all  expecting it to be REALLY GOOOOOOD!

Halo 3 VS Bioshock

 VS 

   The two biggest titles on the Xbox 360 this year are, of course, Bioshock and Halo 3, and it's only a matter of time before the fanboys start arguing the merits of each.

 Well, I've played them both--objectively, ya nerds--and I've compiled a quick assessment of the most important criteria.  Let's take a deep breath, promise not to post obscenities in the comments, and read on...

 

Multiplayer Halo 3 lets you make your own types of matches and has one of the biggest multiplayer communities in gaming, if not the biggest. You can also play co-op.

 Bioshock doesn't have multiplayer. Let's not spend any more time on this criteria.

 Winner: Halo 3 Storyline 

Bioshock tells the story of a man lost in an underwater city filled with evidence of horrible experiments and a brooding sense of twisted reality. As he unlocks the secret of how Adam, the central chemical/substance in the story, was created, he must make dreadful decisions and try to stay alive, hoping all the while to see the world he left again. 

In Halo 3, I think you fight aliens or something. I skipped past most of the cutscenes in the first two because they were the worst part of the game. The third one? 

Eh, more of the same. 

Winner: Bioshock Casual 

Gaming Allure Halo 3 and 

Bioshock are both (gasp) very good casual games. On one hand, Halo 3 has done a very good job of toning down the difficulty, even on the normal setting, to make the game more playable for the masses of people that bought it--a battle with a handful of enemies is no longer a 10 minute affair, just a few gun strafes. And, of course, the addition of the co op helps nicely.

 BioShock puts up a fight; it's not too long, the main character can gain a host of powers, and intelligence is more important than a quick trigger finger. Plus, nearly anyone can finish the game because of the tilted death dynamic (mentioned below), and you can't ask for a more casual-friendly move than, "everybody wins!"

FIFA 08 or PRO 08?

         VS                                

   Where to start with Fifa 08? I'm sure most of you have heard or asked the question...Pro Evo or Fifa? Don't lie you know that's why you're here! 

I've generally always bought both Fifa and Pro Evo games, mainly because I couldn't just pick one as they are both excellent in their own ways. I will now attempt to find differences in the games and eventually pick the better one....here goes....

Controls

Fifa bring brings more realism than ever in the new installment. Ball control is brilliant but can be a bit confusing at first if you are new at the game. The controls can take a bit of getting used to. But once you've mastered that gameplay is superb. The right choice of button and you can get the ball exactly where you want it. Even more skill controls have been added which I feel has always been what the had over the Pro Evo franchise. These new moves are great for dummying defenders and sending them the wrong as you steam off down the wing to send in that last minute cross to a waiting striker. It really is great!

But this is nothing compared to Pro Evo. The gameplay in that is simply excellent. So much more realistic that Fifa (I can't decide if thats a positive or negative thing, you decide), which is a pretty damn realistic game so you can imagine how good Pro Evo is.

Graphics

The graphics are even better in this new installment, 10x better than Pro Evo. When you are at full distance it really does look like your just watching a game on tv. You will at one point start shouting at cesc fabregas for not moving until you realise its because your meant to be controlling him, trust me it will happen.

Even one you zoom right in on the reply all the players look superb. I have never seen anything like it. You will be blown away.

Sound 

The couple of new commentater phrases have been added compared to 2007 so you still get some of those classic phrases, but it can be a bit annoying once you've heard them a thousant times. I think they should have got a few more phrases in there before they sent the game out though.

Menus etc.

Would I choose this game over Pro Evo though? It's such a tough question. I don't particularly like the set up of Pro Evolution. Some of the game modes can be a bit of a pain setting up etc, but once you're done the game takes over and you forget that the masterleague isn't really as good as the premier league or even have the right team names. That's right, Pro Evo still haven't managed to get licences for all leagues and teams. I'm one of those people who like to see their team winning 5-0 in a London derby in the proper kit. Not just some cheap imitation like the ones you see loud people selling in rubbish stalls in markets trying to fool foreigners. Well it's doing nothing for me.

Obviously Fifa has all teams and leagues so you can be part of the official premier league or take your team up there from Division 3. It's just so great to see Millwall taking the top spot and seeing off Chelsea with ease. It just doesn't get much better.

All new EA Sports games have improved their menus this year I think, every EA game I have played the menus seem to be alot more user friendly. In Fifa you start off as Ronaldinho in a practice against a keeper which is a pretty nice idea. It works really well as you can get ina couple of shot practices before you get into you league.

Conclusion

The main reason I didn't give this game 5/5 is the realism. It is just one of those things that Pro Evo has over Fifa and I don't think that will ever change. 

I think that when it comes down to it though I would end up buying Fifa for the main reason that they have all the official licences etc. Its really just isn't good enough not to have all team names in a game. I can't handle it. 

Then saying that I have just bought both games and I keep finding myself drawn towards Pro Evolution. 

I think my conclusion has to be... buy both. For a quick kick around with a mate of a proper competion with a couple it just has to be Pro Evo. But for when you're on your own the masterleague just can't cut it I'm afraid and you just have to play Fifa 2008.

Xbox 360, PS3 and WII, which one is the best?

The dedicated gamer has some powerful home-entertainment options these days, but which is best?

 PlayStation 3 is the most expensive of the next-gen consoles, but then it has a powerful Blu-ray player built into it. It's also got a tonne of media features -- our favourite is the beautiful photo slideshow -- and full Internet connectivity.

The downside to the PS3, apart from the price, is mainly its newness -- there are only two PS3-exclusive games of any note at the moment, Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm, and the online features are very much in their infancy. Expect more games and features from Sony this year, though, including the very cool virtual world Home.

 Nintendo's Wii is essentially a last-gen machine with a fun twist -- motion-sensing interactivity. The included Wii Sports game has been a huge hit with hardcore and casual gamers alike and future sports games are sure to take advantage of the innovative controls. It's also the cheapest of the three consoles.

Its graphics look a little shop-worn next to the supercomputer PS3, but it means that games developers can spend more time creating interesting games rather than fiddling with fancy visuals. That's for the future though, along with online multiplay, as there are very few games available for the Wii at the moment -- hopefully Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 will be out soon.

Graphics on the mid-priced Xbox 360 look roughly the same as the PS3 today, but its greatest strength is the online service. You have to pay £35 a year for the full service, but its simplicity is unrivalled and it offers the addictive Gamerscore, for comparing your offline progress to your mates'. There's also a wider range of games available, and some excellent titles (such as Mass Effect) coming soon.

The elephant in the room is the gaming PC. We've chosen the Dell XPS 710 H2C -- the most powerful PC we've seen. In terms of gaming power, it's unsurpassed -- the sheer scale and graphical realism of PC games outdoes any of the consoles, and will continue to improve as designers get to grips with the power of multi-core processors. Online play is far more developed as well -- nothing on the scale of Battlefield 2142 or World of Warcraft is available for a console.

The downside is the vast cost, and you'll need an expensive, high-res monitor to get the best out of the graphics. If you went really nuts, you could buy all the other consoles and a lovely big hi-def TV to play them on, and still have change for a weekend away. Gaming PCs are also huge, unsightly beasts, not fit for living room display.

So, if you're on a limited budget and want a new console right now we'd recommend the Xbox 360 -- it offers the best online service and the most games. This will certainly change over the next year as the Wii and PS3 develop their line-ups. But if money is no object, we'd plump for the PC, as it offers huge flexibility and the sorts of games you simply don't get on consoles -- and you can always scale down the quality of the components to fit your budget.