FIFA 17 knows just how important this year’s race to the top is. With Konami’s PES 2016 breathing down its neck, now’s the time for EA Sports’ soccer series to push itself even further to greatness. The majority of this soccer sim’s positive aspects come from the sum of its parts rather than its entire package. While this year’s FIFA doesn’t do anything truly groundbreaking, it’s still an enjoyable entry for everyone involved. Career Mode honors its ardent fanbase by adding two features they’ve requested for the longest – pre-season tournaments and player training.
Your team now has an even easier time developing into the championship caliber squad you want it to be. Your players can dabble in pre-season games to get their team synergy tighter and keep your custom player busy. The big difference this year is the game's pace. FIFA 17 is slower. Even after installing the day one patch that EA released. Fans of the series might feel it's a step down from what they've been accustomed to. During our marathon sessions across game modes, we've come to the realisation that this change gives you a little bit of extra time to think in FIFA 17.
It is crucial as it lets you consider different ways to approach your game. The other heavily promoted feature addition this year is FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) Draft. Unlike the similar in concept Draft Champions in "Madden NFL 16" — which was received extremely well as an Ultimate Team alternative — FUT Draft is an extension of Ultimate Team. It’s buried within Ultimate Team, uses parts of the teams that have been built there (such as the kits that have been acquired), and the rewards all go toward Ultimate Team.
This is a far cry from older entries in the series that had you passing the ball from one player to the next, almost ricocheting off them as if it were a game of pinball, with the sole objective of blistering through the pitch and knocking the ball through the back of the net. I’m not sure these players need any introduction, although some Manchester United fans may be scratching their heads and wondering if that’s the same Paul Pogba who underachieved in the Premier League (yes, yes it is). Last year, many considered FIFA’s competition, "Pro Evolution Soccer," to have surpassed it in terms of gameplay.
It’s clear EA recognized it had work to do — it made considerable improvements on the pitch for "FIFA 16" and added options for use at the player’s disposal. One of the new features is called “No Touch Dribbling.” By hitting and holding the left bumper, a player will detach from the ball to create space and opportunity to get creative. It’s especially useful with the highest-rated players, but it is a more advanced tactic to utilize and will take some time for novices to grasp.
With FIFA 17, you are rewarded for building up an attack carefully. Regular passes are slower and you can opt for a faster pass with the trade-off being that the receiver will find it tough to control the ball. Rather than trying to best your opponents with a sheer burst of pace, you'll have to outthink them, making crosses, passes, and tackles more important than just running past the opposition. You'll spend a lot of time fighting for possession in the midfield, making each move count.
