FIFA 19 is getting a completely new Kick-Off mode. This includes various modes, among them with House Rules, a variation of the Lounge mode from FIFA 11.
During the “FIFA eWorld Cup” finals on August 4th, some information about FIFA 19 was announced, including especially the news about Ultimate Team and the new Kick-Off mode.
The new Kick-Off mode features the so-called “House Rules.” This is a less realistic but much more fun mode for couch gaming. Many players think of the popular Lounge mode from FIFA 11.
What are the House Rules?
You can start a normal match against a friend on the same console in this new mode. However, you have the option to set one of five rules. These are:
- Long Range: Goals outside the penalty area count double.
- Survival: This mode is inspired by FIFA Street: If you score a goal, you lose a player!
- Headers & Volleys: Only headers, volleys, free kicks, and penalties count here.
- First to: You set a number of goals; whoever scores this first wins the match.
- No rules: There is no offside, no fouls, and no cards.
Fans excited to remember the Lounge mode
The leak of the House Rules on Reddit generated excitement a few days ago. Many players still remember the Lounge mode from FIFA 11.
Sounds like a mix on the “lounge mode” that existed a few FIFAs ago. That mode used to be a blast, hopefully this one comes close. Source: Reddit, User: OhKillEm43
This is how the Lounge mode worked: Especially the ability to actively harm friends – and in this case, opponents – with cards or other penalties was very popular. Additionally, the progress was continuously saved. This led to significantly increased long-term motivation compared to the Kick-Off mode we know from recent years in FIFA.
Also, within your lounge that you created with your friends, you could earn badges for being the first to master various tasks. These include, for example, “Hat Trick Hero” or “Stamina King.”
Oh my god, lounge mode was some of the most fun we’ve ever experienced in FIFA. Everyone hoarded cards for when they played the leader and stuck him with ‘everyone on yellow cards’, ‘everyone on red stamina’ cards only to watch the poor bastard try in vain to win the game was some of the most evil fun we experienced. Lounge mode tested our friendship and we came out the better for it. Source: Reddit, User: StathamIsYourSavior
The question of FIFA Street also naturally came up. The mode that focuses on tricks and small field games is desired back by many players year after year.
Any chance this will include FIFA street style 5vs5? Source: Reddit, same thread as above
What do we get? Lounge mode or FIFA Street?
On August 4th, the House Rules were officially introduced. Have the fans gotten their hopes up too early, or will they receive a successful variation of the Lounge mode?
House Rules has a crucial weakness: Yes, the new Kick-Off mode brings back altered football rules. The match data will also be saved again, thereby increasing long-term motivation. This makes couch gaming much more diverse again. However, what is missing compared to FIFA 11 is the ability to harm your opponent.
As mentioned in the Reddit post, the appeal of the Lounge mode was mainly about annoying and harming your friends. That this is not unusual can be observed, for example, in Mario Kart: It still is the most fun to throw a blue shell at your buddy right before the finish line. Whether the new House Rules in FIFA 19 will evoke that feeling again is questionable.
No FIFA Street, but a step closer. A FIFA Street mode is not included in the House Rules. We also miss the “5 against 5” again. However, we at least get the Survival mode, a variation of the “Last Man Standing” mode from FIFA Street. Fans of the trickster mode may not be satisfied, but it is a step in the right direction.
