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Although FIFA 08 was a definite step in the right direction, hardcore fans still felt the occasional wrath of unresponsive controls and lack of player-specific momentums. 09 is a different story altogether, though. The overall pace of the pitch just feels more natural, goalies respond and react even more appropriately now, and enough new features have been added that both hardcore and casual fans can find something to enjoy.
For starters, this year's version features over 30 different leagues to chose from, with obvious highlights including England's Premiership and Mexico's Primera Division. There's even the option to play as teams from the MLS for fans on this side of the pond. More importantly, though, is the fact that no matter which team you select, the players on them will react appropriately, and this is where 09 excels. Player weight, height and speed are taken into account during a number of different scenarios; collide with a much more powerful opponent and you're likely to suffer an injury, heavier players now slide farther on the pitch, and likewise stronger players can strike and head the ball farther than weaker ones.
What I found to be even more impressive, however, were the multiple new additions to Manager Mode. You can now set ticket prices, accept different sponsorship opportunities for the season (each with their own payouts), and even dish out Staff Upgrades. By choosing where to spend these upgrades (or cash really) you can target individual areas that your team needs to improve upon. It may seem a bit overbearing at first, but adding additional training for your depleted midfield, or paying extra attention to your Team Scout or Contract Negotiator can really pay off in seasons to come. There's even a handy Stadium Manager who can make sure you fill the venue, or even increase the number of seats if your team becomes too popular. 
Scouting has also seen major upgrades this year. You can now traverse entire Continents individually looking for that speedy winger, with each trip having its own separate price tag. The amount of time spent on the trip and number of player positions you want to target can also be customized. For example, a trip to Africa looking solely for a goaltender may cost you 81,000, while a trip to Europe to scout multiple positions (ST, CB, GK, etc.) can cost several hundred thousand. And to top it off, your Head Scout will come to you during the Transfer Window to offer his latest findings. Trust him enough and you may not have to scour league after league of player windows and statistic menus.
Of course, like most other EA sports titles this year, FIFA 09 has the usual Be A Pro campaign. Not only can you create or pick your favorite player and take him on a 4-season journey, but you also have the option of joining nine other friends online for the 10 vs. 10 Team Play. Alternatively, if you seek more of a commitment you can create or join existing clubs and compete in various leagues from around the world.
From top to bottom, FIFA 09 is much improved over its predecessor. Some of the same gameplay quirks still exist (odd animations, and goaltenders who seem to grab every corner kick), but for the most part the improvements this year make the occasional hiccup seem almost secondary. With spectacular gameplay designs in nearly every aspect, it's easy to see why this is currently the best soccer title available on the market.
