FIFA 16 is probably EA's most convincing and varied effort, then, but it still struggles in some key areas. It might look like football, but it rarely flows like football. The strongest FIFA yet, then? Yes, especially for PC-only players who are sick of being stuck with an inferior effort, but as much as FIFA 16 captures the emotional side of the game, it still hasn't quite found its beating heart. With this FIFA Ultimate Team Edition, you get the Adidas All-Star Team, five pairs of boots from the Adidas Predator Boot Collection, three brand-new goal celebrations, and more unlockable content.

 

Despite the many problems that are reported with the FIFA Ultimate Team app we should say that many gamers who haven’t encountered difficulties (mostly connection and crashing issues) have nothing but praise for it. However our comments and email inboxes are still bulging with complaints about the app from readers who are wondering when EA will sort the app out once and for all. In mid-January we reported on the latest FIFA 16 Ultimate Team update on the App Store and Google Play Store, and very quickly it became apparent that many users were still having problems or facing new issues.

 

EA Sports every year declare that the next FIFA will be revolutionary and will make the last iteration look like Iain Dowie (for legal reasons EA Sports have never said anything derogatory about Iain Dowie and these are the views of a man who thinks Dowie looks like a troll). Sitting to play the game for the first time you can already tell that FIFA 16 delivers on the presentation front. To Martin Tyler reading out the team sheets at the beginning of the game, adverts mid-game promoting the next fixture during career mode and a stylish highlights package at half-time/full-time. FIFA 16 brings us armchair footie fans that little bit closer to the Sky Sports style presentation we’ve all come to know and love for over twenty years.

 

It may seem trite to begin with the game’s graphical presentation, but this is where FIFA 16 sets itself apart from last year’s edition. Built from the ground up specifically to take advantage of the graphical capabilities of PS4 and Xbox One, you will have to forgive us for discussing the visuals at some length. Venues like Old Trafford and Etihad were remodelled from the ground up, and the impressive camera pans across their facades during pre-game and halftime look breathtaking. The cynic may point out the lack of significant activity on the pathways outside the stadiums, but the structures as well as their interiors are absolutely gorgeous.

 

That said, when it works, when the pieces all come together, it's a unique pleasure. On the other hand, when it doesn't, when a player does something stupid, or when a questionable decision goes against you, when the ball bobbles strangely into the back of your own net (maybe thanks to the new ball physics), FIFA 16 leads to tantrums more quickly than any other game. In many ways it mimics the stress of watching a real match, of being a real supporter. There are so many times when we've considered walking away and never playing again, and so many times when we've returned minutes later to pick up the controller and go again, with a wonderful goal or another rage inducing mistake just around the next corner.

 

Players celebrate last-minute game winners together through the new 10-man goal celebrations. The bench and the crowd get involved as well, singing specific chants distinguished by their club team. Also, stadiums are alive and authentic. The game includes fully-licensed stadiums for all 20 teams in the ever-popular Premier League. Layers of realism come out in the gameplay as well. Player control affects the momentum of player movement and gives players more personality on the ball. Athletes turn faster and more precisely, and defenders make smarter decisions by containing the attacker and going in for the tackle at the right time.

 

A very comprehensive effort from EA Sports. It’s really only down to a few niggles that keep this game from having a higher score. It’s much more refined in terms of presentation and getting into the gameplay is seamless, especially for franchise veterans. On next-gen hardware, the difference in graphics, player animation and even crowd liveliness is noticeable, and adds to the fantastic atmosphere that the game tries to immerse you in.