EA Sports have released a third patch (1.03) for FIFA 16 designed to enhance game experience by refining glitches contained in earlier versions and by introducing new content. Details of the patch announced on EA’s website reveal that the star heads of numerous players, particularly those contracted to newly promoted Premier League sides, have been updated while new third kits have been added for Serie A clubs AS Roma and Inter Milan as well as for La Liga champions Barcelona. Unfortunately EA still hasn’t done anything with the crowd but for the most part stadiums teem with atmosphere, which lends itself perfectly to FIFA 16’s new animation mechanics. FIFA 15 took player collision and keeper reactions to a new level while FIFA 16 pushes the boundaries of realism even further.

 

Players in FIFA 16 can also use their strength to hold-up the ball (not literally.) or likewise turn and shoot. Headers, especially from set pieces, are more difficult to place accurately given the crowdedness of the box while tackling looks and feels responsive. Seriously, how do they make these games? It must be a seriously hectic thing to do. But at the same time it must be one of the most rewarding and most fun things to do… ever. First of all sitting down and going through the requests for improvements from all of the gamers who have played the game the previous year. They then have to evaluate all of the current technologies at their disposal and to make sure they can improve the gaming engine in as many ways possible to give the users the most value. Remember the Fifa 16 Coin Generator, it’s back.

 

The most high profile innovation in the new iteration, and one which EA deserve praise for, is the introduction of women’s teams. Granted, this extends only to a dozen countries, with no club teams available, but it is a long overdue offering and adds variety to proceedings. Encounters in the midfield are not as packed as in the men’s game, freeing up space, and success depends on a short, quick passing game rather than exploiting pace. FIFA has always felt just right to me in many ways but this year’s game just adds to the refinement in a way that brings a smile to my face when I play it. This year we get some subtle changes as well such as a driven pass that can take apart a defense with ease or result in an interception, weighing the options here is a risk reward game. Also, EA Sports added no-ball feints that will remind you of Ronaldinho’s no-look passes from his FC Barcelona days.

 

Whether playing as men or women, FIFA's life-swallowing online offering is stronger than ever. EA's streamlined matchmaking is so confident and reliable at this point, instantly hopping into lag-free multiplayer matches is something you instantly take for granted. And of course, FIFA Ultimate Team (the absurdly addictive card-collecting mode) is back and remains the crowning jewel. This time, the headline addition is FUT Draft; a set of one-off tournaments that reward you for putting together winning streaks. The bigger the run of victories, the better the prizes-I bagged three Premium Gold Packs for a three-match win streak, one of which gave me Messi and Aguero as loan players.

 

Finally, another appealing feature is tied to the gameplay pillar of "competing at a higher level." That doesn't mean "grind new players into dust" - it's actually a signal for new players to jump in with a training head's-up display system, where a variety of instructions pop up next to a controlled player, depending on where they are on the field and what position he or she plays. It can be slightly distracting at first, but it's also extremely helpful to people who haven't really spent a lot of time on FIFA games.