Sports games are often criticized for their yearly updates and lack of innovation in between installments. While this is an unfortunate side effect due to how rosters, rules, and strategy are constantly changing, it does allow for developers to constantly fine tune their releases. In the case of FIFA, the yearly release formula has seen EA’s football series get consistently better over time. Each year has been better than the last, with the on-field gameplay constantly evolving, and players being presented with more options in terms of modes. I’m glad to say that FIFA 16 not only continues the series’ momentum, but also stands as one of the best times you’ll have on a virtual football field. Well, besides Mega Man Soccer of course.
From the get-go, things feel different. Not in a bad way, either, unless you’re someone who doesn’t particularly like faster paced soccer. FIFA 16 has all of the intricacies that the hardcore players crave and require, but it feels quicker and a bit more arcade-y than before. Players don’t have as much weight to them as they do in Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, but they glide across the field with effortless grace and dance with the ball. I must admit that, at first, I wasn’t a big fan of the new feel of the game, but it grew on me and I ended up enjoying it a lot as time progressed. The gameplay is definitely improved from last year’s, which felt kind of stale and a bit boring, and this year’s FIFA feels like it’s own game instead of a rehash. Of course, it helps that the AI has been beefed up, the defensive side of the game has been improved and players’ anticipation has been heightened.
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Offline against the AI especially the game plays really nicely at times. It’s slower, matches flow better and attacking requires a lot more thought to open up a defence, instead of a mindless lofted through ball from 60 yards. I remember EA saying that FIFA 10 was going to be “the thinking man's football game” but in reality, it’s taken six more years for them to even get close to delivering on that. Achieving great things in FIFA 16 still relies on the brain behind the controller, but with the right ethos, you can orchestrate some truly great situations which closely match those you might see unfolding on a Sunday afternoon.
At the top level -- and the biggest change in at least one of our households (David's) -- is the addition of the Women's National teams and World Cup-like tournament mode. From David: "For the first time my two daughters (age 6 and 11) took an interest in playing the game and insisted they get to play it first before their brothers (age 6 and 9), who are young FIFA junkies." The girls were a little disappointed they couldn't select Women's teams and play them in an offline exhibition mode (you can play online friendly matches) or against a male team. They also wanted to be able to mix the players up, making a co-ed Ultimate Team, so to speak.
A new feature that has been announced is the new FUT draft. This feature is a new addition to the game, which allows you to play the usual FIFA Ultimate Team game mode, with a twist. This mode will test your team building skills as you pick the best players and make the best team from a selection of 5 players in each position. You then go on to match up chemistry and play like you would usually but with some of the better players available to you. You can still earn rewards for your Ultimate Team in this game mode and it’s nice to see EA adding some different modes instead of just repackaging older modes and selling them off as a new game. Another small change noticed was the markets are now separate to 360, PS3, PS4 and Xbox One rather than being grouped as Playstation markets and Xbox markets.
Fans of the FIFA series’ game play will enjoy this edition as it makes it more intricate, yet satisfying. Those who play FUT might be annoyed by the ‘fee’ incurred by FUT Draft, but it is nonetheless a good start at making Ultimate Team available to those who do not have the time nor the patience to delve into the full FUT universe. One item that is lacking however is an online career mode where users can play against friends in leagues or tournaments to be crowned champion. But until FIFA 17 hits stores in 2016, FIFA 16 will surely be a hit. And we’re not complaining one bit.
