June 30, 2008 - When Konami released Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 earlier this year for Wii, the game sent a serious wake-up call to sports teams as to what exactly should be done on Wii. Madden was going strong at the time, doing some simple gesture work and entertaining "Wii-specific" gameplay, but strangely enough after PES's IR-based gameplay -- which allowed players to not only pass anywhere on screen with the pointer, but also grab and pull teammates anywhere on the field to "conduct" massive, team-based offense for the first time -- Madden came out with the Call Your Shot mode, which was essentially the same concept in a football game.

We're now hands-on with Fifa Soccer 2009: All-Play from EA, and again we're seeing PES's design reworked into EA's structure. Some might call this a cop-out on EA's side, but imitation is the best form of flattery, and for whatever reason Konami didn't announce PES 2009 for Wii (all other systems are confirmed), so Fifa may be the last hope for soccer fans on Wii. We're not convinced the game is stronger than PES's design just yet, but with no competition this year, EA is looking to capitalize on one hell of an intuitive design for soccer on Wii.

FIFA returns, and it's taking a page from PES's book. Hey, if it works, it works.

It's worth noting right off the bat that Fifa is in its preliminary stages still – from the looks of it, around alpha – so the game has plenty of time ahead of it. Even still, the experience is already proving to be a pretty entertaining game of soccer, and certainly one that puts last year's FIFA efforts to shame. This time around, players will use the Wii-mote and IR in conjunction, using the analog stick to move the player, and the IR to select defenders, pass the ball to a player or zone on the field, and classic motion flicks for kicking. More advanced techniques – such as lob passes – seem to be done on the fly, at least for now, and tricks are assigned to the d-pad directions, making it easy to go one-on-one with a defender.

Perhaps a little too easy, actually. We learned to work as a team in PES 2008, and FIFA is starting to encourage that as well, but one-on-one battles between your ball carrier and defenders are a bit more offensively slanted than they need to be. Dashing at a player with Z and then hitting any trick button will often award you the quick step ahead, thus making the game a bit more "coast to coast" heavy than it needs to be. In our first game (set at default difficulty) we were able to score six times with Germany, and that's a bit much even despite the team's skill.

Those are some nice moves, but that giant head has to be affecting your mobility...

At the same time, controls all work, and the game does feel pretty slick. The interface is easy and intuitive, having almost the identical structure of Madden's past two years (main tabs on the left, and simple icons to click with different arrow tabs and the like). On the field you'll find a mix of stronger graphics over Wii's current top soccer game, but other sections where character animations seem a bit off. On the audio front, not much has been implemented yet, so while we took a trip through the tutorials before heading into a game, most of the narrations were the wrong audio clips. On the field, most of the sound effects, music, or crowd reactions are a bit hit and miss so far, but that's all a matter of time, and what's there sounds pretty on par with the current PES offering.

Where FIFA takes a stand to really set itself apart from the others though, is in the All-Play mode, which is making its debut on not only FIFA, but also Madden, NCAA Football, NBA Live, and Tiger this year. With All Play, players can shed the nunchuk controller altogether and play with just the Wii-mote's IR, having all passing and shooting done there. For movement, simply hold the B trigger and aim anywhere on the screen, and your player will run to that spot. If you set a collision course with a ball carrier, you'll automatically make a challenge at it. If you flick the Wii-mote (just like in Advanced Play mode), you'll perform a slide tackle. The All-Play controls this time around are nearly identical to the advanced, minus the need to use the analog stick to run around, but it's still a decent alternative to the full-on, two controller mode.

Like Madden's five on five mode, FIFA is bringing Mii players to the field with the new eight on eight, or "8V8 Footii Mode." Again taking notes from Madden's design, players will take to a more cartoon-inspired field, controlling their team of eight Mii players now donning big heads and larger bodies, and play a more laid back game of soccer. All the controls remain the same, but it's a bit faster overall, and it feels like something out of EA Playground, rather than the expected FIFA design. This mode is fun, but also still very early, as only music is used, with no VO and only a few sound effects currently playing in the background. All referees are Miis as well, and just like the main mode, the game is constantly giving motion tips on-screen, or rewarding players with "Good Pass" or "Nice Shot!" icons as you play. To round out the more arcade-inspired experience, shots are accompanied with stronger sound effects and more effects, and slide tackles look more aggressive, and don't usually bring a whistle unless extremely blatant.

Even the top players in soccer have been Mii-ified.

The party mode from last year also returns in Footii Party, comprised of table football, juggling, 8V8 Footii Match, and Boot It. Each of these games seem pretty early on so far, but table football is a basic take on foosball, using the nunchuk analog stick or d-pad to move each bar vertically, while having Wii-mote twist controlling the kicks. Juggling makes a pretty unchanged return from last year, while 8V8 is the same core game you find in the main FIFA modes, and Boot It rounds things off with some motion-controlled target practice.

As for other modes, FIFA returns this year with Manager Mode, online play and interactive online leagues, local tournaments, and a challenge mode that brings situational gameplay to the core FIFA experience, including a custom mode where you can create your own challenges for other people to try their hand at locally. There's also a main soccer academy for learning the ins and outs of the new game, and a FIFA store where new uniform kits, balls, and stadiums can be purchased.

FIFA has a new look this year, but you'll need to play 8V8 to find it.

Thus far FIFA looks like a decent option for soccer this year, especially since it houses official leagues and teams, and is starting to borrow from the successful design of PES 2008. It's still missing the ability to click and drag teammates around the field (something that made PES amazing last year, and a vital part of the Wii experience), but the defense is already greatly improved over PES, and the amount of options and modes – if pulled off well by release – could make this a serious contender. It has its work cut out for it in a few key areas, mainly the advanced use of IR control that is still pretty basic overall, but it has potential, and there's plenty of time left in development to make something truly great on Wii.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/885/885391p2.html

sounds interesting, but at the same time it seems like they just ripped off pes08 controls and added the all play mode... EA what are we gona do with you.

but i highly doubt that there won't be a Pes09 for the wii, there has to be. look how weel the last one did considering how late it came out. i think pes09 will be revealed pretty soon

thats sound great for wii owners

I see all these cheery Mii screenshots... but is there a "normal" mode too, with the real players without the cartoony look?

@chrizum----> The mii players are only for 8vs8 just in Madden NFL 09 is not in the whole game itself.

EA is really trying to make some money on the Wii ( besides MySims etc ); good for them.

But bvy making the same game, how will any game gain an advanage on the other?

Sorry I thought your reaction was like this ); SORRY