It’s just football, what can change really? Annual releases often fall under the veil of “what can really change in a year”, so let’s take a look at what’s new in FIFA 16. The first, and most obvious inclusion, is the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) Draft mode. FUT is by far FIFA’s most popular mode, and the reason many people still play the game so much. It’s that mode where you start with a pack of players, mostly pretty average and you spend time and money on building your team up. FUT is a long process if you do it without spending REAL money, but it’s a lot of fun getting a team that can take on all challengers, whether online or offline in a number of tournaments and leagues. While FUT is largely the same as last year (with all new cost caps to prevent cheating, YAY) and is as fantastic as ever, FUT Draft adds a whole new element to the game.
While attacking may not be what it used to, defending has certainly improved for the most part; the A.I. generally seems smarter than before meanwhile actions such as slide tackling are far more satisfying. Defending is partly made easier by the limp shooting of attackers but nevertheless, defending is actually one of the more interesting aspects of title. Unfortunately though, while these changes are noticeable, they do feel very safe. Many of the taboo elements of football such as diving are still unavailable in the game and considering how much of an important aspect that is to the sport it would have been more true to football to include it. In less taboo areas of football, players still do not provide enough movement meanwhile the A.I. is still very uneven with players making mind-numbing mistakes on the regular basis.
The pace of passing is also far more rapid than previous embodiments of the franchise, but this is countered by the inability, in the majority of circumstances, where the receiver is not always able to receive. The new title’s “all-new engine” shares a lot in common with its console cousin and promises exciting features and a more advanced gaming experience. This includes an all new a smarter Artificial Intelligence, more all-round skilled players, and better graphics. Although FIFA has been dominating the field in console regarding graphics and license property it somewhat lacks when compared to the AI’s strategic manoeuvres portrayed in its rival PES.
With each new FIFA installment we get new goal celebrations, and FIFA 16 is no different. EA has shown off a new trailer revealing some of the new celebrations including 'Timber', 'Stomach Slide' and my personal favourite, the 'Glamour Slide', also known as the 'Handsome Olivier Giroud'. Also included is the 'KO', which appears to be based around Wayne Rooney's celebration after the video of him being knocked out during some tomfoolery surfaced on the internet. Timely, what with the England striker breaking Bobby Charlton's England international goals record. The video shows off the button combinations you'll need to use for the new celebrations as well as a glimpse at new goal interactions with the substitutes' bench.
Defending is easier in FIFA 16. Or at least, defenders are now better equipped to win the ball and compete against attacking players. Slide tackles have regained some of the old potency; players really do slide again, meaning it’s possible to win the ball from unexpected distance. Well-timed toe-pokes, meanwhile, can satisfyingly break up play, while desperate moments give players more options to deliberately foul players just before they break into space (this is usually harshly punished, but so much fun). I’ve been caught by defenders when I thought I was out of range, I’ve won the ball with crunching block-tackles at fullback, and I’ve used the slide to channel runners by blocking off their path. This new, stronger, more flexible slide tackling is a success.
The biggest (and certainly most publicized) addition in FIFA 16 is that of women’s national teams. It’s a fantastic addition, if not because it enhances awareness of women’s football, then because the experience itself offers enough differentiation to play and feel like an entirely different football game. The skill level isn’t great but it’s good enough, and I think EA Canada has done a great job with pacing, physicality and just the general way women’s football is played.
