FIFA 19 introduces a new kick-off mode, the “New Kick-Off Mode”. This includes revolutionary game modes and turns virtual football on its head.
From a boring mode to a mode full of creativity: Every FIFA fan has played some kick-off matches in their life. Whether to play against friends on the couch, to try out some tactics, or just to play a little until the online friends finally arrive.
The kick-off mode from previous FIFA installments does not offer long-term motivation at all. But that is changing now: FIFA 19 overhauls the kick-off mode and revolutionizes it with varied modes!
From Champions League to Survival – These are the modes included in the new kick-off in FIFA 19
EA Sports has officially unveiled the “New Kick-off” mode in FIFA 19. It consists of several modes that we present here:
The various new kick-off modes:
- Classic: A normal kick-off match, as known from the predecessors.
- Champions League: Play a match or from the group stage under Champions League atmosphere
- Europa League: You can also experience Europa League vibes in kick-off matches.
- First and Second Leg: A short “kick-off tournament” that consists of first and second leg matches.
- “Best of” Series: Here you can set how many games will determine the winner (3 or 5).
- Cup Finals: Play the final in real cup competitions (Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup Final, etc.)
- House Rules: This mode allows you to play creative and varied matches. We will present the house rules in the following chapter.
The house rules in the kick-off mode
You can select only one house rule per match:
- Long Range: This mode focuses on scoring goals from distance. Almost everyone has a friend who always shoots from all sorts of positions. This is the mode for that friend! A goal outside the box counts double.
- Survival: A survival game mode reminiscent of “Last Man Standing” from FIFA Street: For every goal you score, a player from your team must leave the field. Read more about the survival mode in FIFA 19 here.
- Headers & Volleys: Only goals scored with a header or volley count. The old saying “play flat, win high” does not apply here. Penalty and free kick goals count as well, all other goals do not.
- First to: Whoever scores a certain number of goals first wins the game. You can set the number of goals yourself.
- No rules: There is no offside, no fouls, and no cards. Go wild here! Read more about this “No Rules” mode here.
Keep in mind that there may be more modes and house rules available at the release of FIFA 19 or that the listed details may still be revised.
The players of FC Bayern introduce the innovations in the kick-off in this video:
What other innovations does the kick-off mode have?
Statistics about statistics: In the various kick-off modes, heaps of stats are collected about your matches that you can view. This way, you always notice how you play, where your goals hit, which side you attack most often, and much more.
Additionally, a kick-off name can be created with which you can save all your statistics on the EA servers.
The gameplay innovations with dynamic tactics also apply in the kick-off mode. This way, you can tweak your tactics and gradually improve the statistics.
Finally innovative modes?
Tom thinks: At the kick-off event, I found the various house rules in the kick-off mode especially exciting. My colleague Philipp and I tried several of them, particularly enjoying the “No Rules” and the Survival Mode. However, the “Headers & Volleys” rule did not suit us at all, as we both represent the type of player who likes to play flat and carry the ball into the goal with combinations. But other types of players will surely have fun with that.
Therefore, I believe that “kick-off 2.0” will definitely bring fresh wind into classic virtual football. Still, I see it as “only” a nice alternative for a few quick matches – I do not see long-term motivation here for weeks.
