FIFA was released just over a month ago and we have already noticed a number of changes.
The 2018/19 season's edition of the famous game is the 25th version of the game and has come along way since it’s first edition in 1993 of FIFA International Soccer.
Now supported by EA Sport's Frostbite engine, the game has the Champions League proper, as well as dynamic weather changes and new official stadiums.
We have put together an article of all the major changes to the game this year, including developers answering questions whether Usain Bolt is set to join the game.
Find out more here.
Timed Finishing
Players have even more control when shooting with FIFA's new and improved 'timed finishing system'. This can be triggered by double tapping the “shoot” button when attempting a strike.
Active Touch System
EA Sports have also announced that an overhaul on how players take their first touch and fundamentally changes gameplay.
"The new system fundamentally changes the way you receive and strike the ball, enabling closer control, improved fluidity in movement, more creativity, and increased player personality".
Dynamic Tactics
Developers also revealed that the tactical system has changed, meaning players are given the option to set 'multiple tactical approaches, deeper pre-match customisation, and new options for in-match adjustments'.
Only issue is, that one friend who always takes 20 minutes to set his line-up has a whole new array of options.
Real Player Motion Technology
It's hard to believe that many more adjustments could be made to they way player's moved on FIFA 18, but EA Sports have said that this year's game is a further improvement.
"Enhanced animations for tactical shielding, impact balancing, and physical jostling take realistic player movement, responsiveness, and personality to unbelievable heights."
Home And Away
Also in Kick-off mode players will also find they are able to play a match over two legs, home and away, with the away goals rule in place.
Great for when you want a rematch with your Fifa nemesis.
Atmosphere
A lot of work has been done on the game's stadium atmosphere, gone are the days where your team only sings/mumbles one song.
Get that volume up and you can hear a chorus of your home team's classics.
House Rules
In Kick-Off mode, FIFA 19 introduces a new 'house rules' feature that contains a number of game modes.
By playing 'Survival Mode' players lose an outfield player every time they score a goal, the first to 5 goals wins.
'No Rules' mode will turn off the referee, 'Long Range' mode sees you award two goals for every goal scored and 'Headers And Volleys' mode means goals can only be scored by that method.
Champions League
Thanks to Konami and UEFA ending their ten year exclusive partnership, a brand new Champions League feature is available on FIFA 19.
Buying the Champion edition of the game allows players to compete in a standalone UEFA Champions League mode in FIFA 19, very much like the 2018 World Cup version download on this year’s game.
The competitions will also be available in Career Mode.
Europa League
As well as the UEFA Champions League, Europe's second high profile tournament is also available on FIFA 19.
Just like the Champions League version, you can expect the full broadcast package, logos and format.
Finals In Kick-Off
Sometimes you just want to play the Champions League final, without going through the whole process. Now in Kick-off mode, players will be able to select to play the Champions League final with all the correct stadia and trophy lifting ceremony.
Cover Star
On the standard edition of the game, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo features for the second year running as the solo star.
The 33-year-old was revealed as the front man on Twitter – rounding off an incredible season for the Real Madrid ace.
Creators had to re-reveal their cover star after he moved from Real Madrid to Juventus after the initial cover artwork had been released.
Champions Edition Cover
The Champion and Ultimate Editions see PSG star Neymar join Ronaldo on the front cover.
Neymar's first ever appearance on the front cover of the game.
Xbox 360 and Playstation 3?
There were a lot of rumours that this year's game wouldn't be available on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, but players with those consoles can buy a 'Legacy' edition.
According to reports, only 2% of the copies of FIFA 18 were on the older consoles and as the older consoles don't have the ability to perform with the Frostbite engine, the gameplay and graphics just isn't the same.
The Legacy edition allows gamers to play the new game, with updated squads, but with a similar gameplay as previous years.
Dynamic Weather
Gamers were gutted when FIFA 18 didn't incorporate Frostbite's incredible 'dynamic weather' feature that is is brilliantly used in Battlefield 1 and Mass Effect: Andromeda.
But it seems this year's game saw gamers get their way.
The Journey Is Back
The third chapter of Alex Hunter's journey is called 'The Journey: Champions' and focuses on playing in the Champions League.
Game developers have revealed that Hunter's story will end on FIFA 19 as it was always planned to be a trilogy.
The Journey Extras
Not only can you play the game as Alex Hunter, but you can switch between him, Danny Williams (his best friend) and/or Kim Hunter (his sister).
You follow Williams as he tries to make it in the English Premier League, while Kim Hunter is hoping to make it to the FIFA Women's World Cup with the US national team.
Revised mini-map
Now when in multiplayer mode one team have triangle icons like normal, but the other has circles.
It's a simple but a long awaited change, that will help avoid confusion.
Chinese Super League
For the first time China's premier domestic competition is included in the game.
Meaning gamers will be able to play with some of the league's top players including; Hulk, Oscar, Yannick Carrasco, Alex Teixeira, Demba Ba and Barca’s Paulinho.
Top Five Players
It is no surprise that the main man himself Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest rated players on the game with a 94/100.
Lionel Messi joins him on 94, Neymar on 92, Luka Modric has improved his rating to a 91, alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
Celebration Option
No longer players need to bash in a complicated series of buttons to shows off a unique celebration.
Now, by pressing the 'B' button on Xbox or 'O' on Playstation after scoring, your chosen player will perform a totally random celebration.
Signal Iduna Park
After signing a deal with Konami for a year for last season, Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park stadium has returned to FIFA for the 2019 season.
Craven Cottage
Like the last few years, all Premier League stadiums feature on the game.
Meaning thanks to their promotion back to the league, Fulham's Craven Cottage makes it's first appearance.
Cardiff City Stadium
Cardiff City's stadium is another one to have been added ahead of the new season.
Although it is hard to tell whether the seats are red or blue, it looks like the developers have got the aspects of this ground spot on!
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
It is believed by many that by playing on FIFA you are entering a fantasy, made-up world.
Well if you are a Tottenham fan you certainly are as although the ground isn't finished in real-life, FIFA have been able to complete construction on time!
Bitter sweet for Spurs fans who are desperate for their team to return to White Hart Lane.
Molineux
Wolverhampton Wanderers are the third promoted team to see their own ground immortalised on the game.
The club used Twitter to officially thank default stadium 'Ivy Lane' for being their home for all these years.
New Commentators
Martin Tyler and Alan Smith continue their love-in on the main game, but changes have been made when it comes to the new Champions League and Europa League commentary.
BT Sport's Derek Rae and former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon are offering their words of wisdom during those games.
How much is FIFA 19?
The game's standard edition can be found for £54.99 on either Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.
However, if you want the Champion Edition, you will need to fork out £79.99. If you want to really splash the cash and get the Ultimate Edition it will cost you a hefty £89.99.
But there is a way of getting in at a cut-price, but unfortunately you will have to wait until Black Friday in November. Some retailers brought the price of FIFA 18 down to as low as £20-30 last year during a flash sale.
Can you wait that long though?
Free-Kicks
One thing that a lot of players are struggling with on the new game is free-kicks within shooting range. Here's some tips:
When you want to change your free-kick taker you now have a lot more stats at your disposal, including: Foot, PWR (Power), FKA (Free Kick Accuracy), CRV (Curve) and PEN (Penalty Accuracy). This will help you select the right player for your free-kick, giving you more chance of scoring.
If you want to curve your free-kick, make sure to line-up your player to shoot outside the post, if one of their good attributes is CRV, then the ball will naturally curve inwards.
If you are looking to dummy your free-kick, hold L2/LT to call over a team mate, then press shoot before immediately pressing pass to lay it off to your team mate.
In order to take a free-kick 'like Ronaldo' or the knuckleball, choose the player with best accuracy and power, line him up outside the post, hold the LB or L1 button while aiming the left analog stick left, all while powering up your shot to just over three bars of power. Practice makes perfect.
Cech Error
After the game was released, Arsenal fans took to Twitter to point out that Petr Cech is still wearing his protective helmet during contract negotiations. Cech himself even tweeted, claiming it is wrong as he would 'be wearing a tie'.
EA Sports hilariously responded when announcing a number of updates, which included Cech's change in appearance when in contract talks:
"Cech was wearing a helmet during contract negotiations, we have now found him a tie."
Usain Bolt
Developers have revealed that Usain Bolt will be added to the game in the Winter update!
The Olympic champion sprinter is currently on trial with the Central Coast Mariners in Australia.
It is expected that the Jamaican will be added to the game as a free agent, should his trial not be successful, a spokesman for the game said:
"If Usain is picked up by the Central Coast Mariners then he will automatically be included in the winter update or the next major update, but if he isn’t listed then he might be included as a free agent, he will also be the fastest player in the game."
A Twitter user even drew up a card of his statistics!