FIFA 16 is an all-encompassing colossus of a computer game, especially for next-gen consoles. More teams, licenses and game modes than you could honestly ever find the time to take control of coupled with a genuine Sky Sports feel and some horribly addictive online and offline modes. It guarantees an authentic experience whether it's League Two football at Fratton Park (on the game for the first time) or at the Nou Camp for El Classico. What more can you ask for? Unfortunately then the game kicks off and I cannot remember finding any of the recent FIFAs even slightly as frustrating.
One of the most important factors to consider in Ultimate Team Mode is team chemistry, which is defined by several different factors. While it's always good to have the best players in your team, the overall chemistry should come first, or you will have a hard time on the pitch. Whenever in doubt between a better player, or a lesser player with better team chemistry, opt for the second option. You won't regret it. EA Sports has released an official FIFA 16 app for mobile devices, dedicated entirely to Ultimate Team Mode. This app allows you to check and organise your team, but more importantly, to view and interact with the auction house. It's a great way to always be aware of what is happening in the online FUT market, and to make some potentially excellent deals. The app is available via Google Play and iTunes.
.jpg)
Another new feature added to this season’s title is FIFA Ultimate Team Draft. I was expecting this mode to be nearly identical to the Draft Champions mode that was introduced in this year’s Madden (which I really like) and it is mostly. For those that aren’t familiar with the mode, FIFA Ultimate Team Draft is essentially a sports fantasy draft mixed with Ultimate Team mode. Where the FIFA iteration differs from Madden, is that it requires you to use in game currency to play this mode (ohhhh no I can’t escape the micro transactions). You play a series of four games or until you lose. Once you’re finished you receive prizes depending on how you place within the four games. I played Draft, won all four games and received two gold packs to use for my Ultimate team. I like the concept of receiving rewards in Draft mode that can be utilized for my Ultimate Team.
This is perhaps the biggest game changer that FIFA 16’s Ultimate Team can provide. Every game should better its predecessor and shouldn’t be afraid to evolve so Generations cards would be a huge selling point next year. Every week EA would announce a special version of a player, a throwback to a previous club or period in their career. Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United Gareth Bale at Tottenham Zlatan Ibrahimovi at Inter Milan. There are so many variations that EA could introduce, reflecting their abilities and skills at the time. It’d be massive for squad builders, offering new links for super squads. Some might say these teams would be insanely overpowered and they’d have a point. But the cards wouldn’t come cheap and if EA clamps down on the glitches and exploits to stamp out coin buying, the Generations cards would be highly exclusive yet available to players who have pumped the hours into the game. It’d be the ultimate reward for the player - could you imagine the reaction if you packed one of these beasts? It’d be insane and you know it.
Overall, the football-playing part of FIFA 16 UT is sorely lacking in customization options and also in tactical options. The only aspect of your team you can change is formation and mentality, nothing else. You can't even decide who takes a corner kick or a penalty kick. I took a look at FIFA 14 while writing this review, and I was amazed at the depth of tactical options that game had compared to this one. I understand that EA probably tried to make the game more accessible to newer players, but more options never hurt; you just ignore them if you don't care about them. FIFA 16 UT doesn't even have player ratings at the end of each match, so you'll have no idea who's playing well and who's not. I could go on about all the really basic features missing from the game, but I think you get the picture. But hey, at least they've added goal celebrations for the first time, a feature EA has been trumpeting for months. So, yeah, priorities.
