The new installment of the most popular sports game in the world is now on the shelves. FIFA 16 burst onto the scene with improvements all over the pitch. Putting the not so appetizing Fifa 15 behind them, EA’s best franchise enhanced the back line, midfield, and the always breath taking attack. Also, throwing in some new features, FIFA 16 looks primed to be an upgrade.
On the defensive side of the ball, defenders are no longer a liability. With advancements in mobility, AI intelligence, and tackling animations, the game as a hole becomes more fluid. You can feel the freedom of movement with defenders as the AI identifies weak spots in your defense to track back and stop runs while the defenders take better angles to take down the dribbler. Also, defenders are now able to perform new tackling animations such as the quick slide tackle, which allows you to perform fast slide tackles and pop right back up, as well as the fake tackle to trick skilled attackers.
Fine-tuning details of the midfield now makes it useful to build up plays in the center of the pitch, stopping the opposition and giving your defenders and keeper a break. Passes now are much more accurate. No longer will you watch the painful through ball that your striker fails to notice that rolls right to a defender. The new addition of driven ground passes allows you to push passes through tight spaces to find your teammates. The only downside of this years passing is the AI decides who you are trying to pass to, leading to easy interceptions for your opponent. Improvement of interceptions also makes it easier to jump in front of passes for both you and the AI.
Attackers also improve to keep up with the renovated defense and midfield with better dribbling, crossing, and finishing. The new addition of no touch dribbling allows you to create space and tear apart a defense. Crosses are now more accurate and your target men will go after the ball with more ferocity. Additionally, changing details on the location of the ankle and foot provide a better shooting mechanism.
Finally, the FIFA developers introduced the new FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) draft and women’s international football. The FUT draft adds a game mode that brings you the ability to play with the players of your dreams on a team within minutes. Drafting a player per position, you get to choose between five players, one of which will best fit your squad. You can try for a team with high chemistry, giving your team the ability to play at a higher level, or a team with more talented players. You play a four game, single elimination tournament, receiving rewards in your actual FUT for each win you get. Adding women players like Hope Solo, FIFA finally brought female soccer into play. You can play with many women international teams in quick games.
All in all, the new FIFA revitalized football video games and leaped farther and farther ahead of rival Pro Evolution Soccer. Despite some minor defects, the game is a much-needed upgrade to last year’s edition. Still not perfect, I believe FIFA made enough improvements to earn a 7.5. Football fanatics should definitely buy the new FIFA, but those looking to try out a soccer game may want to wait to buy it after the price drops.
VERDICT: 7.5
