FIFA 14 : A huge hit

Football fans can kick off the weekend with the latest version of the Fifa video game. 

Fifa 14 is in stores today after a free app version, which was made available for download on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets earlier this week, went down well with gamers. 

The game, which is initially available on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC, features a greater emphasis on strength over speed than previous editions. 

The protect the ball feature allows players to fend off opponents, with the ability to maintain possession key to winning matches. 

There is also a second chance tackle, which gives defenders another chance to win the ball while lying on the ground if their initial attempt is unsuccessful. 

Meanwhile the Xbox version of the game includes football stars, with Pele, Ruud Gullit, Lothar Matthaus and Paolo Maldini among the names. 

Fifa 14, the latest game in the franchise from EA Sports, "delivers the emotion of scoring great goals", the company said on its website. 

In a blog post, it said: "Innovations to the award-winning gameplay make the game more authentic and more fun. 

"A new feature called pure shot and a brand-new ball physics system transform shooting while precision movement delivers the authentic motion of real athletes." 

The free app version received an average rating of 4.5 out of five from more than 30,000 players.
Michael Harper commented that the ''graphics are clean, commentary is awesome'' while Nick Smith wrote: ''Fantastic game with amazing graphics and it runs very smoothly.'' 

Retailer Game opened hundreds of stores across the country at midnight last night for the game's launch. 

Football players Jack Collison from West Ham, Scott Parker from Fulham and Lewis MacLeod from Rangers visited stores in West Thurrock, Hayes and Livingston. 

Gamers across the three stores got the chance to score a one on one match against the players and were amongst the first to experience the the newest version which has 33 official licensed leagues - which means 600 authentic clubs and 16,000 real players. 

Game stores in Nuneaton, Doncaster, and Gateshead Metrocentre are today receiving visits from Leicester City winger Anthony Knockaert, Doncaster Rovers midfielder Harry Forrester and Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi. 

Fans at Liverpool Lord Street will also get a visit from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson. 

Dave Howard, stores director at Game, said the midnight openings attracted crowds of gamers who "queued for hours". 

He added: "We were delighted to celebrate last night with fans and it was great to have a host of premiership talent come along to some of our stores to kick off the Fifa 14 season in style."
Fifa 14 by EA Sports is on sale at around £39.99.