A bunch of FIFA 19 previews have just hit the 'net, and there seems to be one main talking point: EA Sports has really taken the game's animations to the next level. Indeed, everyone who's played the latest build of the upcoming release reckons the way that players move and animate has been improved rather dramatically. Hopefully this means that we no longer get those slightly weird looking, stunted, rubbery animations from time to time during a match.

For what it's worth, we reckon FIFA's always done well on the animation front, but there's obviously always room for improvement. Eurogamer reports that "FIFA fans will definitely notice [the new animations] - and they do let you do things you've never been able to before."

The article continues: "FIFA 19 has new animations for pretty much everything. There are new animations for passes and shots, new animations for striking through the ball, stretching for the ball and even bicycle kicks."

"Controlling the ball is perhaps the area that benefits from the new animations most. You can control a ball that's behind you or to the side - areas players struggle with in current and previous versions of FIFA," Eurogamer explains.

Returning fans of FIFA will know by now that each new game usually boasts a suite of gameplay updates -- some of them very noticeable, others super subtle. But the fact that these new animations have people talking is a good sign -- hopefully they're enough to propel FIFA even further as a footie sim.

[source eurogamer.net]