In FIFA 19, first gameplay from The Journey 3 Champions has been released. This shows cutscenes as well as a rondo mode with Alex Hunter.
During Gamescom 2018, not only was a new trailer for The Journey 3 presented, but also the first gameplay footage from the story mode was released. Some YouTubers and streamers were allowed to play “The Journey: Champions” in advance and have now posted their videos online.
Important note: The video and the following text contain spoilers. If you do not want to read these, you must cover your eyes now.
Gameplay scenes from The Journey 3:
What can be seen in the video?
At the beginning of the video, the character selection in The Journey 3 can be seen. For the first time, you can play alongside Alex Hunter as well as two other heroes and experience their stories:
Below the hero selection is a timeline that shows where the three heroes are currently located in their story. You can decide whether to guide the heroes through the new season together or only play the story of one character.
First cutscene from The Journey 3: At minute 0:37, a cutscene starts. Hunter, who is now playing for Real Madrid, is watching the Champions League draw on TV. His friend Danny Williams, who plays in the Premier League, is connected via smartphone and is also watching the draw. It is revealed that they will not meet each other in the group stage. If they play successfully, both will likely face each other in the final for the trophy.
Additionally, Danny has hired Alex’s old agent, Michael Taylor. Alex, on the other hand, now has a new agent, who can be seen in the video reading out his appointments: a “FIFA Say no to racism” event, a charity fundraiser, and a photo opportunity to launch the “Alex Hunter” brand.
Alex in the locker room: At minute 2:25, the scene shifts to the Real Madrid locker room, where Alex admires his new jersey. A Hunter jersey from Madrid can actually be purchased.
Rondo in The Journey 3
Practicing passing sequences: From minute 3:37, a new feature can be seen. Alex gets to play a bit of rondo with his Real Madrid teammates. Five players form a circle and pass the ball to each other. One player is in the center and has to try to get to the ball:
This rondo is not played on the soccer field but in an indoor space. Gameplay not played on the grass is extremely rare in the FIFA series. In the comments under the video, a user writes that this feature is so far the best thing about The Journey 3.
Is the rondo mode completely new in FIFA? There were already rondo skill games in FIFA 18. They can be found in the skill games category “Passing”, they are in “Flat Pass Silver” and “Adv. Flat Pass Silver”. However, these are not in 5v1 and, unlike the rondo in The Journey 3, are played on the grass.
At 4:50, a Champions League match can be seen, in which Alex Hunter is substituted in the 59th minute. At 9:32, a goal is scored by Alex. Finally, Hunter has to prove himself in an interview at 11:37.
Where does the gameplay video actually come from? The video comes from YouTuber bateson87, who was able to publish it as part of the “EA Game Changers Network”. The “Game Changers” are a partnership between EA and community representatives, such as YouTubers or streamers. The selected FIFA YouTubers have the opportunity to test FIFA 19 early, must provide extensive feedback to EA, and are allowed to release early gameplay material for this.
We summarize everything that has happened so far in the story of Alex Hunter here.
