When playing with a side like Barcelona you can spray the ball around with quality, dribble into the pockets and thrive in the spaces that you create. One thing I would say, FIFA’s demos - in my view - never tend to reflect the true feel of the final product. However, if EA stick with this structure I think that this game certainly has potential - aside from a passing issue that many gamers have noticed, but we'll come onto that. We’ll be looking at all of the positives, negatives, and the biggest talking points surrounding the demo’s gameplay, providing our very own verdict on each change made to FIFA 16.

 

But it didn’t need to be. All the refinements this year - bar the rather piecemeal inclusion of women for the first time - are big improvements. They are noticeable improvements if sometimes maddening improvements like defending being easier and harder in different respects but it is all for the better. Most importantly, though, all of the tweaks are based on real feedback from the people who matter most... the gamers.

 

The mechanic itself works very well. In my few hours of playing FIFA 16 it’s become clear that power-ups will also play a big role especially with Driven Passes. If you over cook a Driven Pass the receiver will miss-control the ball, which is a nice little feature for those, like myself, who look to EA to create an authentic Footballing experience. The most obvious improvement lies in the immediate perception that the game is more solid and refined. It is better balanced in all areas of the pitch, offering an extremely realistic football experience. FIFA 16 actually looks to have the potential to become the most faithful representation of modern European football we ever seen in a game. All this balance and solidity arises through multiple changes.

 

FIFA still does the emotion of the sport better than any other game, and some new presentation elements this year make it even better. Crowds are fantastic and represent their unique personalities, a new authentic presentation package has been added for the German Bundesliga, there are new types of weather and new player celebrations, and even the vanishing spray makes an appearance, which, for whatever reason, is delightful to see. FIFA remains an exhilarating game to play whether the moments are of joy, relief, or torment.

 

Thus it makes it all the more satisfying when you are able to pull off a one-two play with a back-heel into the path of your striker before finishing. Shots are now punchier from outside the box but seem to also be a little more scripted, with one on ones more gratifying than in previous games as strikers are now in control in those situations more so than the goalkeeper, with players being able to simply pass it through the legs of the keeper or hit a deft touch around for an open goal. As previously mentioned defending has been completely re-done as AI teammates cover pockets of space that would have been left open in past iterations, and now forces the attacking players to be a bit more creative in the final third.

 

Fifa is deeply rooted in reality, not just with its official licences. Football matches these days are becoming more like games of chess played between master tacticians - firm defending and calculated build-up play are strong traits. EA does a good job of reflecting this, although it comes at a bit of a cost in terms of how entertaining the game is at times. PES’ style of football is faster, more free-flowing and offers more escapism.

 

Fifa’s authenticity comes through in the way it looks and sounds too. I don’t think the series has ever been better visually, with the quality of graphics and attention to detail improving year on year. Crowd sounds are better than ever, and really differ from ground to ground. The broadcast-style presentation of matches is up to its usual standard - but this leads to the one production letdown of Martin Tyler and Alan Smith’s commentary being as tedious as always.