FIFA 16 is an all-encompassing colossus of a computer game, especially for next-gen consoles. More teams, licenses and game modes than you could honestly ever find the time to take control of coupled with a genuine Sky Sports feel and some horribly addictive online and offline modes.
It guarantees an authentic experience whether it's League Two football at Fratton Park (on the game for the first time) or at the Nou Camp for El Classico. What more can you ask for? We all remember the days when you’d give Gabby Agbonlahor the nod up top for England or play Roberto Carlos as a LWF because searing pace meant everything. No Touch Dribbling. Dynamic Crossing. Clinical Finishing. Confidence In Defending. Interception Intelligence. Good lord does EA love a capitalised buzz phrase. Unfortunately, most of this year's supposedly new on-pitch features translate into diddly squat when you're looking for tangible, easily felt improvements over FIFA 15.
Nearly everything that was right and wrong on the field last year remains in FIFA 16. That means slightly floaty shooting, fiddly tackling, lots of wing play and many an unspectacular tap-in dribbling over the line. Of course, it also means an incredibly solid passing game, with emphasis on satisfying buildup play and ferociously whipped in crosses. In other words, EA's chart-topping juggernaut still plays a cracking game of football... for the most part. Hence FIFA 16. An excellent, if imperfect, football game light on sweeping changes (bar the most welcome introduction of women’s teams) but heavy on refinement. It has the misfortune of coming up against PES2016, arguably the best on-pitch representation of the sport ever made, but FIFA gets a hell of a lot right. What a luxury to have two tremendous games spurring each other on.
FIFA is always packed with modes and FIFA 16 is no different. There is your standard league and cup modes, online seasons and co-op seasons return alongside and as part of FUT. The online section is again bolstered by lobbies/lounges and of course the Pro Club mode where you take on one player with 21 other online players. Online is great as is expected from FIFA although there is still some slow down in the gameplay compared to couch co-op. The live fixtures which replicate what’s happening in the real world complete the online section of the modes. More than enough to go around. The king of footballing titles has returned and this time it is not a boys-only club. Asides from the addition of women’s national football, Fifa 16 feels like an incremental step forward instead of a truly revolutionary leap for the franchise and while that may bother some, long time purchases need not worry as Fifa 16 is a fine football simulator and it easily remains one of the best titles to play with your buddies on the couch.
Another development in the game is how goalkeepers have now gained the ability to magically draw the ball towards them, regardless of how extreme the situation is. The various stretches and positions to contort their bodies to stop shots are very fluid and on form, but it can be frustrating at how unrealistic some of the saves can be, particularly on the higher difficulties. It’s this point where stats and rankings become pointless when Norwich’s John Ruddy can block screaming shots from Neymar when even Manuel Neuer would struggle to get his fingertips to the ball. FIFA 16 won't allow for women's teams to play against men's, just like in real life. Women's teams won't feature in FIFA Ultimate Team, which has quickly become a popular component of the FIFA series. Women's national teams are available in Match Day, Offline Tournament, and Online Friendly Matches.
Still, the inclusion of female players is a big stride for the series although it isn't the first time female players have appeared in a football title. The upside is that it’s a level of defensive accountability that hasn’t been present in past FIFA games, and so EA Canada must be applauded for balancing that alongside subtle changes to the game’s attacking mechanics. “Passing with purpose” lets you drive a sharp, direct pass to teammates in space, while crosses have been refined and are a massive improvement on the overpowered offerings in FIFA 14 and FIFA 15. You now pass ahead and into space of attacking players, rather than simply to where the player was. It’s harder to master, but far more satisfying once you do.
