In keeping with FIFA’s dedication to authenticity, matches are presented with flashy introductions and professional commentary - although these once again lag way behind the console versions in quality. Luckily, FIFA 14 stops trying to ape the consoles on controls, preferring instead to let you control the action with intuitive taps and swipes. It’s satisfying, and it adds an extra layer of tactical depth, allowing complicated maneuvers full of decoy runs and intricate passing; that is, provided you have the coordination to tap and drag with multiple fingers simultaneously. You lose some fidelity, though, and the sluggish A.I. doesn't help here, though you can switch to an improved version of last year’s virtual button control scheme if it proves overly frustrating.
Team intelligence allows AI players to make better decisions and really force the player to play smarter. In an interview they stated, “One of the most memorable moments from the 2006 FIFA World Cup occurred when Argentina strung together 24 passes before scoring a fantastic goal against Serbia and Montenegro,” EA Sports revealed. The attackers knew exactly where they should be to open up the opposition and they executed flawlessly. With Teammate Intelligence in FIFA 14, players will have better decision-making and teams will play smarter on both the attack and defense to bring the beauty of the game to life.” Going forward, apart from the issues needing correction listed above, it would be cool if the career mode continued to evolve; using FUT’s chemistry system and expanding your international manager duties to include player communication/morale and the ability to set up your own friendlies. I’d also like to be able to hire more staff for my club, like physicians to help keep my players avoid injuries and bounce back quicker when they have them.
In fact, the interface changes mark the most significant and welcome improvements in FIFA 14. Compared to FIFA 13, this is a far more usable and inviting game. The management career mode for example, is much easier to access, learn, and play in FIFA 14 thanks to its marquee placement in the top menu. The big play change to management mode in this year’s game is the ability to hire scouts to go out and look for prospective players. You can pick precisely what type of player you’re looking for based on a range of attributes, from what position they play to their general attitude, and then send your scout to various regions around the world to find them. Depending on the scout’s rating–better scouts cost more of your annual budget–you’ll have a small sampling of players to further scout and hopefully recruit to your team. Along with more hurdles to jump for a signature, such as promising players match time and checking they're nice and marginalised at their current squad before prowling, there's a new global scouting network. Here you'll employ up to six scouts of varying knowhow, set parameters, and send them off. You can find and nurture an unknown prodigy in the youth team or get beads on established names, learning cost and wage demands so you can make a bid that won't be laughingly dismissed. As a result, wheeling, dealing, and finally securing that hot prospect is much more rewarding.
While I began my career on Arsenal FC in the Premier League, the club quickly sent me out on loan to build up my skills on the Football League 1 team Colchester United. I flourished there, leading the league in goals and leading the club on an undefeated streak. We eventually went up against Arsenal in a Football League Club match, and I was struck by the stark contrast in competition. While we managed a 1-0 victory, it was a hard-fought win — at the outset the commentators called it a David versus Goliath battle, and it felt like it. My career mode's Football League 1 contests paled in comparison to the speed and skill Arsenal exhibited in that match, which is the way it should be. Be patient when defending - unless you’re losing or drawing and need a goal quickly, there’s no need to rush into high-risk tackles. Be patient and wait for your opponent to make an error.
Use the right stick - when changing which player you control, the shoulder button can skip to a player who you don’t want to control. Flick the right stick in the direction of the player you’d like to control to quickly change. Try to block crosses and long shots - crosses and long shots are the most overpowered way to score in FIFA 14. Try to block the attacker when he’s trying to take a long shot or cross the ball. FIFA 14 is a great game and despite being a less well rounded package than last year it’s not necessarily a worse one. It does however feel like only the first half of a full game, hinting at the future of the franchise but not yet fully committing to it. It’s not exactly treading water but it does mean that the ultimate FIFA is still yet to come.
