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FIFA 19 (Xbox One) Review
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports / Football
Release: 2018
FIFA 19 builds on the foundation of FIFA 18 with several important additions, including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League licenses, improved shooting mechanics, Active Touch System, and the continuation of the Alex Hunter story in The Journey: Champions. It remains a polished and content-rich football game, although its gameplay can sometimes feel overly dependent on pace, animations and AI behaviour.
Gameplay & Mechanics
FIFA 19 retains the familiar FIFA control system while introducing several new mechanics.
The Active Touch System provides greater control over how players receive and manipulate the ball. First touches can be directed more precisely, allowing skilled players to create space or control difficult passes.
Timed Finishing is another major addition. Players can press the shoot button a second time at the correct moment to improve the quality of a shot. When executed successfully, it can produce excellent finishes, but poorly timed attempts can be less accurate.
The game also introduces 50/50 Battles, attempting to make contested balls more dynamic and dependent on player attributes, positioning and timing.
Defending remains heavily dependent on positioning and player switching. Tactical defending is rewarding when executed properly, although AI-controlled teammates can occasionally make questionable decisions.
Strengths
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Responsive controls
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Active Touch adds variety
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Timed Finishing provides additional skill
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Good range of attacking options
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Large selection of tactics and formations
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Strong overall football simulation
Weaknesses
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Pace remains extremely important
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AI can behave inconsistently
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Some animations can feel unpredictable
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Timed Finishing can take time to master
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Certain matches can feel overly influenced by momentum
Game Modes
FIFA 19 provides a substantial selection of modes.
Career Mode returns with both Manager and Player careers. Manager Career allows players to manage transfers, tactics, contracts and squad development, while Player Career focuses on developing an individual footballer.
FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) remains one of the game's central attractions. Players build squads using cards representing footballers, managers, consumables and other items. Squad Building Challenges and various online competitions provide additional objectives.
The Journey: Champions concludes the Alex Hunter trilogy. Players follow Hunter and other characters as they pursue careers at the highest level of football.
Kick-Off mode provides a straightforward option for quick matches and includes a variety of customisation options.
FIFA Ultimate Team
Ultimate Team offers enormous replay value.
Building a squad around chemistry, player attributes and preferred tactics creates a strong progression loop. New players and improved cards provide continual incentives to improve the team.
The addition of Division Rivals gives FUT a more structured competitive progression system, while Squad Battles provides an alternative for players who prefer playing against AI opponents.
The major drawback is the emphasis on player packs and the game's broader monetisation system. Building a highly competitive team can require substantial time, and players willing to spend additional money can accelerate their progression.
The Journey: Champions
The third and final chapter of Alex Hunter's story provides a more cinematic experience than the standard career modes.
The campaign follows Hunter as he attempts to establish himself at the highest level while dealing with the pressures of professional football.
The Journey features dialogue choices, training sessions and matches, with player performance affecting certain aspects of progression.
The story is accessible and entertaining, although its cinematic presentation sometimes comes at the expense of football realism.
Career Mode
Career Mode remains a strong single-player option.
Managing transfers, scouting young players, developing a squad and attempting to win competitions provides plenty of long-term content.
The addition of Champions League and Europa League competitions makes the mode more authentic and gives successful clubs more meaningful continental objectives.
However, the underlying Career Mode structure is relatively familiar, and several areas could benefit from deeper management features.
Pros
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Excellent football presentation
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Champions League and Europa League integration
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Responsive controls
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Active Touch System
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Timed Finishing adds skill
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Strong Ultimate Team offering
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Improved FUT competitive structure
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Good Career Mode
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The Journey provides a cinematic campaign
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Huge amount of content
Cons
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Pace remains extremely influential
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Career Mode could use deeper management features
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AI occasionally makes poor decisions
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Some animations are inconsistent
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Ultimate Team heavily encourages long-term grinding or spending
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Gameplay changes can take time to adjust to
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Limited innovation in some areas
Final Verdict
FIFA 19 is a substantial and polished football package that benefits greatly from the addition of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. The Active Touch System and Timed Finishing provide meaningful changes to the gameplay, while Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Pro Clubs and The Journey offer plenty of different ways to play.
Its biggest weaknesses are familiar ones for the series. AI behaviour can be inconsistent, pace remains highly influential, and some modes have not evolved as significantly as their presentation suggests. Ultimate Team also places considerable emphasis on long-term progression and optional spending.
Nevertheless, FIFA 19 delivers a comprehensive football experience with excellent presentation, a huge amount of content and several worthwhile gameplay improvements.
Score: 8/10
