The Journey mode returns for the third time on FIFA 19, meaning gamers will join Alex Hunter one more time on his quest for football glory.
Introduced in FIFA 17, The Journey has followed Hunter across the world, through all sorts of challenges and revelations, but, for better or worse, this will be the final chapter.
EA Sports have secured the Champions League licence for their latest offering and, fittingly, the finale is known as 'The Journey: Champions'.
But what's next for the kid from Clapham? Here is the complete guide to everything that Hunter has experienced so far in the latest release of the game that came out on September 28, as well as what we can expect in the third instalment.
What has happened in The Journey so far?
EA Sports have put together a tale that is both familiar and fantastic in The Journey series, weaving a colourful narrative for their flagship game mode.
A recap of what has happened so far follows. Be warned: Spoilers lie ahead.
FIFA 17 - The Journey
The introduction of The Journey in FIFA 17 brought Alex Hunter into the lives of gamers across the globe. A young attacking footballer with dreams of becoming a Premier League star, Hunter's first steps see him take part in exit trials designed to help recently released players find new clubs and, after impressing, he has the choice to play for any Premier League side.
EA Sports
Of course, things are not that straightforward and Hunter develops a rivalry with his best friend, Gareth Walker, who ends up securing a deal with the same club.
Both players end up going to the United States for their club's pre-season tour, but, despite impressing, Hunter's chances of first-team football take a blow when Harry Kane (or Angel Di Maria, depending on what club you're at) joins. A loan move to one of Norwich City, Aston Villa or Newcastle United follows, allowing Hunter plenty of first-team experience and he subsequently returns the following season.
Upon returning to his parent club, Hunter discovers that Walker has departed - for their rivals, no less - and after both players make their way in the game, the rivalry intensifies before reaching a climax in the FA Cup final.
As well as on-field drama, The Journey incorporated off-field considerations, such as earning sponsorship deals (with their concomitant perks), interacting with social media and so on.
FIFA 18 - The Journey: Hunter Returns
Having established himself as a Premier League football in FIFA 17, Hunter returns in FIFA 18 and his journey takes an interesting tangent, which sees him swap the United Kingdom for the United States.
Youtube/EA Sports FIFA
There are encounters with stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, while retired icons Thierry Henry and Rio Ferdinand also make an appearance and there is even talk of a move to Real Madrid.
However, Hunter ends up in Major League Soccer playing for LA Galaxy, where his father is involved, and the drama continues when he learns about his half-sister Kim, who is also a footballer.
When the MLS season ends, Hunter has a choice to sign for one of Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid or Bayern Munich and the aim of the game is to help deliver silverware for the sake of an old coach.
Additonally, Hunter has since joined the Common Goal initiative – the charity started by Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata to raise money for worldwide causes.
Watch the new trailer
You can watch the new trailer for The Journey in full below, which was released on August 21.
What can we expect in third instalment?
Hunter joins Real Madrid
At the beginning of August it emerged that Hunter - now 19 years of age - had secured a move to Real Madrid. There had been some talk of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in FIFA 18 and it has now materialised.
"It's everything I’ve ever wanted, simple as that," Hunter says of the move. "To join Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world, is what every kid like me dreams about.
"And on top of it all, I’m just buzzing to finally get my chance to play in the biggest club competition in the world, the UEFA Champions League."
Youtube/EA Sports FIFA
Pursuit of Champions League glory
The trailer for The Journey: Champions shows Hunter being unveiled by the Liga club, with the likes of Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal welcoming their new team-mate.
Champions League scenes figure prominently in the promotional video and it's obvious that, after securing the licence for the competition, the pursuit of continental glory will be one of the chief considerations in this instalment of the game mode.
The timing of Hunter's arrival at Real is ideal from his perspective, because it coincides with the departure of Ronaldo to Juventus, meaning that the English youngster has less competition for a place in the team.
Youtube/EA Sports FIFA
Having come up against Ronaldo in previous games, it's possible that the final Journey pits Hunter head-to-head with the Portuguese in the Champions League, while a Clasico meeting with Barcelona's Lionel Messi is also sure to be on the cards.
Two more heroes
In addition to Alex Hunter, fans will also be given the chance to jump into the stories of Danny Williams and Kim Hunter and follow them through their respective journeys.
As their stories intertwine and play out simultaneously, users will be able to switch between all three characters at any time to change up the experience.
Fans can also cross paths with some of the world's most famous footballers, including Neymar Jr., Alex Morgan, Paulo Dybala, Kevin De Bruyne, and more.
Kim Hunter is a young American soccer player with dreams of playing at the highest level of the women’s game—and she also happens to be Alex’s half-sister.
Alex and Kim meet for the first time after Alex joins the LA Galaxy at his father's suggestion. Not long after, Kim gets her first cap for the United States Women’s National Team. Now she's ready to take her career to the next level in The Journey: Champions with a call-up for the Women’s World Cup.
When can I play The Journey: Champions?
The Journey: Champions is ready to play now, with FIFA 19 having been released on September 28.
Click here to check out all the latest about the new game, including prices and features.
Is this really the last Journey?
Unfortunately, yes. EA Sports has confirmed that this will be the last instalment of The Journey, but we think you'll agree that a Champions League triumph will be a fitting send off for Hunter.
It remains to be seen how, if at all, the game's developers will replace feature in any future editions of FIFA.
The next step could perhaps be full immersion, depending on how virtual reality technology progresses. In the meantime, we'll just have to wait and see!