We're going to risk saying that FIFA 16 is arguably the best football game we ever played online, with a lot for players to explore, from the highly popular Ultimate Team Mode, to Seasons mode with clubs. One of the biggest new features in this area is the FUT Draft, which will let you form a team by choosing players for each position, plucked from a batch of six random options. Here you will need to balance the natural ability of each player with their contribution to the team chemistry.
For example, will you choose a right winger with 82 rating, but no impact on team chemistry, or a player with 78, but with the capability to improve the team's chemistry? EA have focused heavily on defensive improvements this year, and as a result, defenders now benefit from improved tackling animations, better defensive AI, and a new Defensive Agility feature that allows defenders to track skilled attackers and close them down with greater ease.
Midfielders also play a much bigger role in the center of the pitch by creating build-up play and intercepting opposition passes, and wingers can use Dynamic Crossing to apply a higher degree of finesse when targeting a player in the box. And how could you discuss a FIFA game without landing on the series’ long-standing Ultimate Team mode? After going through a slight retooling after last years’ version took a thrashing over the excessive “Click here to buy” ads, it looks like this time around EA Sports has learned their lesson.
While the ability to purchase in-game currency using real-life cash still exists, it is nestled away in a corner of the menu that keeps it from being so front and center. Thankfully, this also means that you can get back to enjoying Ultimate Team without feeling the need to shell out in order to be competitive. In-game coinage pay-outs from matches (regardless of a win or loss outcome) are back to being more than sufficient enough to let players engage in the action, without feeling like “Crazy Uncle Pete” is trying to rummage around in players' wallets.
Hopefully the developers will begin to add more leagues and official licenses as the years go on. And then, of course, there's FIFA Ultimate Team - the jewel in EA's crown and a massive money-spinner to boot. FIFA Ultimate Team's big new addition is Draft mode, which is a much more focused, scaled-down version of the team-building game mode, and a great way to try out some of the game's elite players.
Ultimately though it’s hard to argue if people say EA are going through the motions and have called this one in. Ask a mate what the five main improvements are from 15 to 16 and see how long it takes them to cobble together a solid list. I’d have happily paid ￡10 for the small additions and updates and carried on with FIFA 15. In Career mode you can now Sign free agents outside of the transfer window and after scouting a player you can access reports for an entire calendar year rather than just the three months offered in FIFA 15.
It seems fitting that Jordan Henderson is this year’s cover star because it’ll always feel like you’re taking control of Liverpool’s averagely fast and averagely strong midfielder - no matter which player you’ve picked.
