With an emphasis on realism and authenticity, FIFA 16 also subscribes to a clear footballing philosophy, and the result is a much more balanced, deliberate game that arguably loses a little bit of magic. FIFA 16 undoubtedly addresses some of the issues of past games that emphasised either speed or power at the expense of the other. Seeing those extra commands surround your player is a little off-putting at first, but used sparingly - maybe in a few friendlies before you really get stuck in - and it's a useful way to learn about some of the new aspects of the game. As much as I feel my team's hard work paid off, I wish the gameplay did better in some areas. The recovery time for a missed tackle or wrong step is too long, the defensive-press command button to call in teammates is not nearly aggressive enough, and jostling can be a little slippery, with your player not really affecting the dribbler.
However, jostling is improved from years past, when the command acts like a magnet. The physics also produce fewer weird body flops. Finally, there are some odd moments like when a shot dribbles off your foot or players have trouble detecting and picking up the ball. Fifa 16 is hitting shelves — and early reviews indicate that the minor tweaks and new modes added to last year's game make it enough to upgrade. But they might not be enough to tempt people from moving over to its rival, PES 2016. The game brings new changes including new game dynamics, women's teams and new game modes. The game feels markedly different from last year, with a slightly more considered, often slower feel from Fifa 15.
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Also, in the beta, once you have selected your team, there’s no going back. As things stand we’re in control of Newcastle United, though every player on the team has had a significant leap up to 85 to provide an equal platform for all gamers, and to shield the players’ true ratings in time for the full game to be released. We played the game on an Xbox One and it all looked fantastic. From the blades of grass on the field, to the flashes of sky in cut-scenes, EA seem to have nailed it. Add in the player faces and a host of fantastic stadiums and the graphics side of the game looks sound. Celebrations are a gimmick that FIFA doesn’t need. I’m not a fan. The only purpose they serve is to annoy opponents on the other side of the world, and prove you’ve got way too much time on your hands if you manage to perfectly nail a prancing triple somersault.
Gameplay is mixed bag, but EA continues to excel with its presentation in FIFA 16. That Sky Sports broadcast feel is more apparent than ever, with player stat comparisons displayed before matches and noticeably improved commentary. Martin Tyler and Alan Smith are great, chatting about relevant topics and building up matches nicely. It’s the best, most natural sounding commentary I’ve heard in a FIFA game to date. The visuals side of the game is mostly positive, with improved player models heading up the new changes. Body types still have some way to go, but now look far more realistic than the WWE style ones that plagued FIFA 15. Moving hair is now in too, thanks to the introduction of women’s football (more on that in a bit).
Gameplay visuals remain vibrant even though some detail is lost compared to close up shots, but that’s to be expected given the impressive stadiums and 3D crowds. Animations are mostly buttery smooth, but this year more than any other I noticed at times it feels like the game is a bit over-animated. Players will take an extra touch or move a little bit more than you want them to, resulting in a lack of responsiveness. There’s also a slight drop in the frame rate during foggy matches or snow. Nothing huge, but it’s worth a mention nonetheless.
FIFA 16 boasts a strong list of licensed clubs/leagues most notably, the world’s most popular league, The Barclays Premier League. While EA lost out on the full license to the Brazilian national league, several Brazilian clubs are included in the game in the “Rest of the World” section. One area which could really use improvement is in the National Teams. Too many national teams go unlicensed and appear with generic kits. Others are strangely omitted (Croatia and their lovely checkered kits). Learning Curve & Control Scheme: FIFA’s one of the easier pick-up-and-play games due to its flexibility and consistent control scheme. You can hone your skills on the lower levels and still find it challenging before progressing up in difficulty. Solid, but there’s still room for improvement in player models, skin textures and crowd models.
