FIFA 15 actually represents a bit of a crossroads for the franchise. It’s a series that’s been at the top of its game for so long, but with so much innovation over the last five or so years, and for so long, the question is how long can they keep it up? And perhaps, more importantly, how can you truly innovate with a sport that has such a limited scope for innovation? The simple answer is you can’t; you’ll eventually run out of ideas. FIFA 15 is an argument against the annualisation of sports games, and with little-to-no innovation and a few backwards steps, FIFA 15 seems to be languishing just outside the European qualification places. A decent iteration, yes, but I guess you could say it’s a sideways, heck, even backwards movement for the franchise, leaving the door wide open for PES.

This does mean that anyone who favours a crossing game may be disappointed. In the demo I scored far too many volleyed goals from long, arcing balls into the box, but that’s not the case in the finished game - though there’s an apparent sweet spot if you manage to double-up on one side. A short pass to a wing-back or wide midfielder and a first-time cross will finds a striker’s head more often than a regular cut-back from the byline. I’m slightly wary of suggesting finesse shots – and, to a lesser extent, flair shots - are overpowered, lest EA Sports nerf them too aggressively with another patch. But it’s true that in a one-on-one, squeezing the left trigger or right bumper as you let fly does give you a significant advantage.



The commentary is also more contextual meaning it will better engage in the story of the match as it unfolds. The development team reiterates that these new systems have been implemented to enhance the visual and emotional elements of the game without dramatically changing the gameplay. From our play test it seems it would be hard to argue with them otherwise. If you would like to know more about why they don’t allow the emotional state of the players to affect their performances then check out our interview with Producer Sebastian Enrique.

Correct Contact is the back of the box name for a new system that sees ball momentum continue from pass to pass. In Producer Nick Channon's words, previously the ball's spin was reset or "zeroed" when a player received a pass, meaning that regardless of how good or bad the pass to them was, their ability to move the ball on always started from the same point. Now, the spin and momentum of the ball is preserved through each pass, making one touch flicks and knocks a little smoother in some instances and less in others depending on how the passer has received the ball. Other new animations of note were defenders tucking their hands behind their back when in the area to avoid conceding handballs and a fake shot to pass which is as useful as it is sexy.

The gameplay experience isn’t unrecognisable from 14, but there’s been so many little tweaks and reworks that it’s hard to know where to begin. Perhaps the most immediately noticeable thing when you take to the pitch for the first time is the weight players carry.