FIFA 16, from the early build we played on the company's stand at E3 2015, is more a tweaked version of last year's edition. Although women's football is an all-new inclusion, with 12 officially licensed women's teams joining the fun, the gameplay is more tweaked than overhauled, with few far reaching changes - ironic considering FIFA itself is undergoing it's biggest rejig in many a year. There will be further alterations and new game amendments that are still to be announced, but from the match we played the game very much feels the same as FIFA 15. And that's by no means a bad thing. There is definitely some intricate detailing done to how each player moves and reacts, you will seldom watch Wayne Rooney ramming through the defence, while a Julian Draxler will play cutting passes and will work his way up to the box with a stunning step over.
FIFA 16 does a brilliant job in keeping the
FUT 16 (FIFA 16 Ultimate Team) at the heart of the game, with additional features like Loan a Superstar giving an additional incentive to the FUT starters. FUT is unlike Career Mode, given the fact that you have to manage a team whose strength depends on player to player communication. As a result, the standard ratings range from 79 to 83, which makes it easy to manoeuvre players, whether it is a goal scoring Aaron Ramsey or Abou “Bad Luck” Diaby. There are a lot of changes made to the rosters, and a new set of players get true faces within the game. However, I am disappointed with the FIFA 12 face of Aaron Ramsey, surely he deserved his Welsh beard more than the overall rating changes.
The latest installment of the phenomenally popular FIFA series has arrived from EA Sports, and football fans everywhere have rushed to the front of queues to grab their copies, in some cases even causing sell outs around the UK. Some people will be asking what more EA can possibly add to their long-running football gaming franchise, but EA persist in answering this call with vigor and gusto, continually throwing something new and shiny our way in order to draw us in year after year. So what has FIFA 16 got that makes it worth some more of our hard earned cash? Let’s have a look at what’s new and why we should (or indeed shouldn’t) be interested in this next in a line of new and refreshed footballing experiences.
The career mode is still my favorite mode to play, and luckily it remains pretty much the same as previous years. There are so many different ways to take a player through his career, and it’s still brilliant to make in game accomplishments what actually improves a player’s stats as opposed to an experience system. There are a few problems with the mode though. The pro camera in FIFA 16 is frequently twitchy, especially when I got to the corner or sideline and it caused me more than once to pass in the wrong direction. Additionally, when the coach tells me to “park the bus” I found my player hemorrhaging match rating for literally no reason. A few minor problems, but they don’t detract from a fantastic mode. FIFA 16 Ultimate Team mode is also back, and it’s just addicting collecting new players as ever. Ultimate Team mode has even added in a “loan” feature to help temporarily upgrade your team, though it’s balanced with a high price tag.
You, the player, have been given a whole new level of player responsiveness to play with and take even more control of the eleven men out of the hands of the A.I. which is always a good thing. Dribbling has a key role and fortunately is quite an accurate attribute, for example try a run with Messi, making sharp turns to evade defenders and you’ll probably have to be scythed down to be stopped once you get into full flow. Have a go with Carlton Cole though, I don’t need to explain as I’m sure you can guess the outcome but it’s not as responsive at all. Where do we get more control though? Set pieces for starters, you can forget about the kick or throw-in taker and instead opt for a different player to manoeuvre into space to call for the ball. During general play when a cross comes in or a through-ball splits a defence you can battle with pure physicality to get on the end of it and this is noticeable compared to last year.
From year to year, baby steps are taken. Truly there’s no need for EA to overwork themselves, for there is no real competition in the world of soccer simulations. PES has been making progress but without the heavy licensing rights, very little fight can be made. Simply because the World Cup is mentioned in this year’s installment, I’d say add this to your collection, but if you’re neck deep in collected items from last year’s title, sticking with the old might not be a bad idea.
