FIFA 16 is a generous package that's fit to burst with leagues, licenses and single and multiplayer game modes, but EA's pursuit of realism takes some of the shine off of the on-field action. The likes of Brendan Rodgers and Louis Van Gaal are always bleating on about their footballing philosophies, so much so that you'll need a bachelor's degree just to understand their post-match interviews on Match of the Day.

 

What it does best is show what moves are available when defending or attacking. It suggests moves I didn’t even know existed and helped me to learn more about what the game was capable of and the intricacies I wouldn’t of even thought to use if it wasn’t for this feature. This Trainer is best used sparingly though, because it can be extremely distracting if both players are using it, essentially turning the field into a series of circular moving Da Vinci designs that look like they need tk be deciphered.

 

Transfers are available, very pricey as well and the FIFA points remain the premium currency. You can play single player seasons, online seasons against real players and tournaments (cups with various stages). Chemistry is now more complex, since things that matter are nationality, the league they play in, coach, position and team field arrangement. In case you’re wondering why the game looks so hot, you need to know that its engine is borrowed from Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of FIFA 16. I also felt that stamina was lower in this game and that injuries happen more often.

 

The UI is confusing, crowded and the animations are poor compared to FIFA 15 UT New Season. The result of all of this is that FIFA 16 is full of scrappy back and forth, the ability to play patient possession football, and a greater range of passing than ever. The dominance of pace in last year's game is over, although sometimes it does seem as though it has been offed through foul means, with through-balls, for instance, feeling conspicuously limited, unwilling to put players in the clear either up the lines or over the top of defences. But for the most part the new style of play--slower, grittier, but still skilled--seems like it’s been achieved through nurturing rather than nerfing.

 

Even this long-time dedicated follower of Fifa has had his head turned by the increasingly impressive Pro Evolution Soccer. The rejuvenation of Konami’s series over the past couple of seasons has become impossible to ignore, so this year I’ve been playing both PES 2016 and EA Sports’ new Fifa 16 game in a break from the tribal norms of football video games. The crowd chants are very polished compared to FIFA 15. No longer will there be long spells of silence followed by a sudden outbreak of euphoric chanting. This year it’s consistent with a nice blend of quiet and loud chants with a lot of variation in the songs, which is good.

 

Visually, as expected, the game looks better than ever. The player faces have much more lighter and darker aspects to them, with a good use of shadows to bring out strong brow and jaw lines. The overall pass system works better than last year, and it seems easier to deliver the ball to the desired player, but the big news is what EA calls "passing with purpose." This is an entirely new function which can be triggered with the R1 and X (PS4), and it basically allows you to execute stronger passes. It's a good way to try and pass through unwary opponents, or to change flanks with less chance of the ball being intercepted. You need to be careful though, as theses passes can be hard to control properly if they are done in close proximity.

 

With FIFA 15 EA changed several gameplay elements, but the game lost focus and direction, two essential pillars that seem to have been found again in this new edition. In terms of licenses, general presentation, graphics and game modes, FIFA 16 is superb, as it always has been, but more importantly, gameplay has been improved in all sectors. There are still some animations and physical reactions that need to be adjusted, but overall you will find a game where you can practice high quality and realistic football. Unless you go up against the higher difficulty levels. If that's the case, get ready for a few hours of frustration.c