FIFA 19

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of FIFA 19's The Journey mode are quite varied. Several critics praised the inclusion of multiple characters and intertwined storylines, such as Gaming Age and Softpedia, highlighting the depth it adds to the single-player experience. Digitally Downloaded also appreciated the integration of narrative and gameplay in The Journey: Champions mode, emphasizing an interesting and enjoyable story. Additionally, PlayStation LifeStyle commended the return to Alex Hunter's story and the introduction of new characters like Danny Williams and Kim Hunter, providing a diverse range of perspectives within the narrative. On the other hand, some critics, like IGN and EGM, pointed out significant drawbacks in the storytelling of FIFA 19's The Journey mode. IGN criticized the bloated second chapter, filled with repetitive training drills and post-match interviews, leading to a lack of variety and disappointment in the absence of new modes. EGM expressed that the extended length of The Journey: Champions made the experience feel like a slog, despite the emotionally interesting additional storylines of Danny and Kim. Digital Trends also highlighted pacing issues and a lack of focus on the main character, Alex Hunter, as weaknesses in the storytelling. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the Story of FIFA 19. While some reviewers appreciated the depth and variety brought by multiple characters and intertwined narratives, others found issues with pacing, lack of focus, and repetitive gameplay elements. The inclusion of emotional moments, dramatic cutscenes, and interactive storytelling was generally well-received, but disjointed story elements, bloated chapters, and inconsistent voice acting detracted from the overall experience. Despite its ambitious approach and attempts to evolve the single-player mode, FIFA 19's Story mode faced criticism for its execution and implementation, ultimately leading to a divided opinion among critics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of FIFA 19 highlight several positive aspects. Critics like Trusted Reviews, who played on PS4, and Vooks, who played on Nintendo Switch, appreciated the smoother and more fluid gameplay experience. They praised new features like the Active Touch System, which adds realism and control to player interactions on the field. IGN Italia also commended the game for its fast-paced and frenetic gameplay, improved AI, and enhanced physicality of players, contributing to a more realistic feel in tackles and collisions. The addition of timed finishes and new shooting mechanics, as mentioned by Gaming Age and Twinfinite, respectively, were seen as positive changes that added depth and challenge to the gameplay. On the negative side, some critics pointed out issues with the gameplay of FIFA 19. GameSpot, who played on Nintendo Switch, noted that passing felt imprecise and limited control options with one Joy-Con made gameplay cumbersome. Eurogamer Italy highlighted weak defenses, overly strong attackers, and strange player behaviors on the Switch version. Cheat Code Central mentioned frustrations with defenders behaving stupidly and the ball occasionally going through them, impacting the overall immersion and realism of the gameplay. Hardcore Gamer expressed disappointment in shooting mechanics and passing despite welcoming additions like active free-kick taker selection and Game Plans for tactics on the PS4 version. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed but generally leans towards the positive side. While there were criticisms regarding specific aspects of the gameplay, such as passing precision and AI behavior, many reviewers appreciated the introduction of new features like timed finishing, Active Touch System, and tactical options that added depth and realism to the game. Critics like Forbes and GamingTrend highlighted the tight physics, refined controls, and advanced touch options that enhanced the overall gameplay experience. The general sentiment suggests that FIFA 19 succeeded in improving certain gameplay elements, providing a more challenging and engaging football simulation for players.

The graphics and visual design of FIFA 19 have received mixed feedback from critics, with several positive aspects highlighted. Critics such as Guardian and IGN have praised the game for its realistic player models, impressive animations, and attention to detail in recreating stadiums and player likenesses. The addition of the Champions League elements has been noted as a significant improvement, enhancing the overall presentation and authenticity of the game. The diverse range of teams, licensing agreements, and atmospheric elements like weather conditions and crowd behavior have also been commended by reviewers like The Games Machine and PlayStation Country. On the downside, some critics have pointed out various issues with the graphics and visual design of FIFA 19. Eurogamer Italy and GameSpot mentioned the lack of Frostbite Engine on the Nintendo Switch version, resulting in a subpar visual experience compared to other platforms. Areajugones and Vandal highlighted the visible downgrade in graphics on the Nintendo Switch, especially in terms of grass, stadiums, and lighting effects. Additionally, GameSpot and Cubed3 criticized the outdated cutscenes and player animations, while Xbox Tavern and TheXboxHub mentioned discrepancies in player likenesses, particularly for lesser-known players. Overall, the consensus among critics is that FIFA 19 offers a visually appealing experience with realistic player models, detailed stadiums, and authentic broadcast overlays. The addition of the Champions League and other licensing agreements has added depth and variety to the presentation of the game, as noted by Generación Xbox and New Game Network. While there are some drawbacks such as hardware limitations on certain platforms and occasional visual bugs, the majority of reviewers appreciate the visual improvements and attention to detail in FIFA 19. IGN Spain and M3 highlighted the impressive graphics and realistic player faces, contributing to the overall authenticity and immersion of the game. Despite some criticisms, the overall sentiment leans towards FIFA 19 being a visually stunning and immersive sports game that captures the essence of real-life football matches.

In terms of positives, the sound design and music of FIFA 19 received praise from several critics. GamingTrend appreciated the diverse soundtrack and realistic announcing, while Attack of the Fanboy highlighted the great sounds and stadium ambiance that contributed to the immersive experience. Additionally, Vandal commended the impressive sound design with a high-quality soundtrack and commentary, emphasizing the overall quality of the audio elements in the game. The addition of the UEFA Champions League license and Europa League was also well-received by critics like Gameplanet and Hobby Consolas, adding to the big match atmosphere and authenticity of the game. On the negative side, some critics pointed out issues with the sound design and music of FIFA 19. DualShockers and Hardcore Gamer mentioned that while the match commentary was well done, it could become repetitive after playing multiple matches. Furthermore, Worth Playing noted that while the game benefited from the UEFA Champions League license, the commentary, entrances, and music lacked the same level of passion as existing commentary teams. Critics like Wccftech and Vooks criticized the commentary for being dry and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience of the game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the sound design and music of FIFA 19 is mixed. While there were positive remarks about the diverse soundtrack, realistic announcing, and immersive atmosphere created by the sound design, there were also concerns raised about repetitive commentary and a lack of passion in certain aspects of the audio elements. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and TheSixthAxis highlighted the excitement captured in the crowd and player sounds, but also mentioned areas where improvements could be made. Despite some criticisms, the addition of the UEFA Champions League license was a significant positive for many reviewers, enhancing the overall presentation and authenticity of the game.

The voice acting in FIFA 19's The Journey mode has received a lot of positive feedback from critics. Digital Trends and Forbes both praised the emotionally impactful moments delivered by the voice actors, with specific mention of Chris Walters' performance. DualShockers also commended the voice acting in The Journey: Champions mode as the best in a sports game, highlighting decent performances and compelling stories. GamingTrend further added that the voice acting in The Journey mode was well performed, indicating a consistent positive sentiment towards the quality of voice acting in the story-driven modes of the game. On the other hand, there were some criticisms regarding the voice acting in FIFA 19. TheSixthAxis pointed out that the characters in the game don't sound like footballers, which could potentially break the immersion for some players. Trusted Reviews specifically criticized the commentary, especially for the UEFA licenses, for being poor and not feeling natural. Wccftech also highlighted issues with the voice acting of specific commentators, Derek Rae and Lee Dixon, indicating that not all aspects of the voice acting were well-received by critics. Overall, while there were some mixed opinions on certain aspects of the voice acting in FIFA 19, the general consensus among critics leans towards the positive side. The performances in The Journey mode were widely appreciated for their emotional impact and compelling storytelling, as noted by Digital Trends, DualShockers, and Forbes. However, there were also valid criticisms raised by critics like TheSixthAxis and Trusted Reviews regarding the authenticity of the voices in relation to the characters and the commentary quality. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment suggests that the voice acting in FIFA 19, particularly in the story-driven modes, contributed positively to the immersive experience for many players.

In terms of positive aspects of technical performance across different gaming platforms, reviewers highlighted several strengths. On the PS4, GamingTrend praised the smooth gameplay and fast loading menus on the Xbox One, while We Got This Covered commended the streamlined gameplay and good stability. For the Nintendo Switch, Hobby Consolas noted stable performance with consistent 60 frames per second, and NintendoWorldReport highlighted the game running well in both handheld and docked modes with almost nonexistent load times. Vandal also mentioned smooth gameplay at 60 frames per second on the Nintendo Switch. Conversely, there were notable technical issues reported by critics on various platforms. New Game Network pointed out occasional visual glitches, menu-breaking bugs, and game crashes on the PS4, indicating a decline in technical performance compared to previous entries. PC Gamer highlighted longstanding problems with penalties and defensive breakdowns on the PC version. FNintendo mentioned technical differences due to the absence of the Frostbite engine on the Nintendo Switch, resulting in a visually less impressive environment. Switch Player reported issues like screen jar during free kicks and comical player collisions, as well as the lack of official licenses for certain teams and referees, which impacted the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics suggests a mixed bag of technical performance for FIFA 19 across different gaming platforms. While some platforms like the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch received praise for smooth gameplay and stability, others like the PS4 and PC faced issues such as visual glitches, game crashes, and longstanding technical problems. Despite some positive aspects like fast loading times and consistent frame rates, technical shortcomings like online issues, imprecise passing, and lack of graphical advancements were prevalent. The varying experiences reported by critics indicate that FIFA 19's technical performance was not consistent across all platforms, with room for improvement in addressing technical issues to enhance the overall gaming experience.

In terms of positives, FIFA 19 has been praised by several critics for offering a rich variety of game modes that contribute to its replay value. Critics like PlayStation Universe and Trusted Reviews highlight the inclusion of new features such as House Rules, Division Rivals, and Player Picks in Ultimate Team, providing players with a diverse range of gameplay options. The addition of the UEFA Champions League integration, as noted by NintendoWorldReport and Vooks, adds depth to the experience and enhances the overall replayability of the game. The revamped Kick-Off mode with new sign-in systems and quirky options, as mentioned by Stevivor and IGN, also contributes positively to the replay value by offering a fresh and engaging gameplay experience. On the downside, several critics have pointed out certain limitations and areas for improvement in FIFA 19 that may impact its replay value. GameSpot and Eurogamer Italy mention the absence of key features like Division Rivals and Squad Battles in Ultimate Team for the Nintendo Switch version, which restrict the ways players can engage with the game. PC Gamer expresses a need for a major refresh in the longform modes outside of The Journey, suggesting a lack of replay value in those areas. Furthermore, Hardcore Gamer raises concerns about the lack of significant changes in the game, questioning the series' annual releases and the potential for player fatigue due to minor updates. Overall, while FIFA 19 offers a diverse range of modes and features that enhance its replay value, there are certain areas where the game falls short according to critics' opinions. The consensus among reviewers is that the game excels in providing ample content for players to engage with, particularly in modes like Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and The Journey. However, there are concerns about the lack of innovation in some areas, such as the need for more significant updates to keep the gameplay experience fresh and exciting. Despite these criticisms, FIFA 19 is generally regarded as a solid entry in the franchise, offering a mix of familiar gameplay elements and new features that cater to both casual and competitive players, ensuring a decent level of replayability for fans of the series.