So we’ve had a week to settle into the new style of Fifa 16 after what seemed a life-time of waiting! There have been vast improvements of both game play, graphics and further game modes have been added. Here’s step by step what the new game has improved on: Overall, the defense in Fifa 15 was appalling, once the game kicked off, your opponent can run and penetrate the defense straight away leading to an early chance at a goal. The creators have tried to solve this problem by portraying more realistic tackles, blocking and the ability to turn your defender faster in order to run and potentially pull off an effective tackle. This creates a more realistic experience and can give those on the defense an actual chance of holding on to a crucial result! To add to this, keeper’s are a lot less robotic which has been an ongoing problem within the game.
The game-play altogether had a more realistic feel and vibe with the players looking near real life. EA Sports' newest title, FIFA 16, has been met with a pretty mixed response ever since the release of the demo. Some gamers would suggest that the game offers an alternative to the usual pace-orientated gameplay, I am one of those people. Although, it could also be argued that the game feels a bit scrappy and even disjointed to play at times, a fairly accurate criticism it must be said. This year's game has developed many of its previous game modes, building new features into career mode and the likes, but the introduction of FIFA Ultimate Team Draft is the REAL exciting feature this year. But aside from the draft many fans will have been expecting other specific changes, but did they get their wish? Let's find out...
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New features and additions have been piled on top of creaking foundations for about a decade, and I get the impression it’s starting to seriously limit the extent to which the series’ ‘feel’ can really be altered. FIFA 16’s headline additions are things like a new ‘draft’ mode for Ultimate Team, that enables quick, head-to-head tournament play with teams pulled from a randomised selection of some of the game’s better players. It’s not unwelcome, but it’s just a slight twist on the incredibly lucrative card-based Ultimate Team mode; which has probably been the most significant contributor to EA Sports’ ability to coast along for ten years without much of an engine upgrade. Moreso even than the relative weakness of the PES series during many of those years.
Ranked seasons is now more streamlined, allowing you to search for a new match immediately if you're happy to continue with the same team. Otherwise, it's as you were as you attempt to win some silverware, climb the divisions, or at least avoid the dreaded relegation. Ultimate Team is, of course, present and correct. But it now features a mode called FUT Draft, which is the best thing to have happened to FIFA's multiplayer since the inclusion of Ultimate Team. In it, you pick a formation, choose a captain from five highly rated players, and then fill in your squad choosing one player out of five each time. FIFA 16's gameplay is going to be a bit divisive, then, so it's a good job that its buoyed by a number of positive design choices and additional content off the pitch. As always, the title's presentation is stellar, and menus are slick, easy to use, and engaging.
Together with real world news updates, customisable main menu panels ensure that every time you boot the game up, you're presented with stuff that gets you into the right footballing mindset almost immediately. It's an impressive achievement, and something that FIFA gets absolutely right every single year. Ultimately though it’s hard to argue if people say EA are going through the motions and have called this one in. Ask a mate what the five main improvements are from 15 to 16 and see how long it takes them to cobble together a solid list. I’d have happily paid ￡10 for the small additions and updates and carried on with FIFA 15. It seems fitting that Jordan Henderson is this year’s cover star because it’ll always feel like you’re taking control of Liverpool’s averagely fast and averagely strong midfielder - no matter which player you’ve picked.
