FIFA 19 Demo Review: 3 Ups & 3 Downs

2. New Commentary

As good as Martin Tyler and Alan Smith have been on commentary duty forever in FIFA, their banter was beginning to grow a bit stale. That was more true of European nights in last year's game; that Champions Cup drivel was awkward in a license-driven product like EA's monster is.

Derek Rae and Lee Dixon are a refreshing change of pace, and their excitable voices will give any FIFA veteran's ears a rest from Tyler's "...and it's live" catchphrase or Smith's witticisms about life at Arsenal in the 1980s when they're playing on the continent.

Quite sincerely, this is the best FIFA's commentary has sounded since 15 was released.

Of course, it remains to be seen how long it'll be before Rae and Dixon start repeating themselves. That's the downfall of any sports title these days, audio wise. Nonetheless, it's genuinely great to have some new narrators, and both men exchange natural banter without trying too hard.