The first thing you notice when you fire up a game of FIFA 16, the latest in EA’s venerable pro soccer series, is the noise. Not bad noise. Glorious, loud, rich noise, spilling out of the speakers. It washes over you if you turn it up loud enough. Having been to a few soccer games in my day, including an Arsenal game this summer, the realness of the noise is enough to make my heart pound harder. It’s dedication to a craft: recreating the fan experience of watching big time pro soccer, particularly the television viewing experience. EA’s gone above and beyond in this regard. In three decades of playing sports games, I don’t know that I’ve witnessed a game nail that aspect so hard. This is repeating the known, however; it’s vitally important to read Keith Stuart’s interview with EA and his accompanying look at FIFA 16’s attempt to recreate the sensation of watching soccer live.

 

There was initially some trepidation about how often players miss basic targets and overrun the ball, and for the first time you really, and I mean really, need to adapt your play when it’s raining. Wet weather matches used to make it easier to slip past defenders, but now all players struggle with the slippery conditions, none more noticeable than the overhauled goalkeepers. Keeper AI has been completely redone, and while they’re still habitual to incompetent brain fades, their movement is far closer to the best in the real world. The new animations make them look more athletic, but also human, as they dive all over the place to avert seemingly certain goals. Keepers are stronger at saving long shots, but no longer feel as though saves and misses are pre programmed.

 

Another noticeable element is the complete renovation of goalkeeping mechanics, adding that unconventionality which was lacking in the previous installment. More and more you begin to see enthralling, fingertip saves that provoke a feeling of absolute awe. However, the improvements do not stop there, with goalkeepers having the ‘not so’ ability of making some unbelievable howlers. FIFA 16 Ultimate Team features over 10,000 players from over 500 licensed teams. Plus, over 30 real leagues and stadiums! Build a dream squad of footballers and put them to the test. From the English Premier League and La Liga, to the German Bundesliga and beyond. Take the thrill of football with you wherever you are with the most authentic football game on mobile. This app offers in-app purchases.

 

Although it is quite the unusual decision to make a big game small again, I found myself enjoying the game much more because of the lack of more features. Also, the concept of the Ultimate Team mode is excellent for smart phones and tablets, because of its strategic nature and the fact you will spend some time in a menu or two. It just works very well; I was never lost. It is also possible to compete in quick games with your own managed team, so it is not the case that you can only be a manager in this game. FIFA 16 goalkeepers have been given an upgrade this year too, after an outcry from FIFA players last year. Shot stoppers have been completely revamped and now reflect the playing styles of their real-world counterparts. In previous iterations of FIFA keepers we're for me the weak point, with no intelligence. Now though, goalies read the game and recognize danger and react accordingly which adds to the new found realness of EA's flagship title.

 

From a gameplay perspective, the AI in FIFA 16 is much more advanced than in past years’ installments. The AI is much more responsive than ever before, and it makes the overall gameplay experience much smoother and more enjoyable. The keepers are no longer as perfect in terms of limiting rebounds, etc, as on numerous occasions they had trouble holding onto the ball, and resulted in rebounds which in previous years would not have occurred. Once again this adds to the overall sense of realism in FIFA 16. And the problems are not limited to on the pitch either, Career Mode took a step back as well. First, the game freezes and crashes way too frequently. You will also encounter dozens of glitches, like one of the worst is when you try to search for a player using name the game gives you zero results, forcing you to actually look for the player manually, this is especially horrible after a year has passed and many players have changed clubs.