FIFA 15 is powered by Ignite Engine and EA is aiming to bring highest level of realism to the game. If you want to check out the game before you make the decision of purchase, a demo is already out since last week for PC and consoles as well. FIFA 15 is probably one the least noticeably different updates to the series for anyone who played last year’s effort. But it’s the subtle things that really lift the game.
Like a lot of annual FIFA trailers, it’s kind of hard to figure out which bits are marketing bluster and which parts will actually make a meaningful difference to how the game controls and plays.
In the defensive area, players will now use “full body defending” to separate man from ball. I’m pretty sure this happens in prior FIFA games as well though, so I’m not really clear on how that’s any different. Dispossessing people is said to be “more physical than ever before.”
Graphically it isn’t dramatically improved, but facial detail is more defined and you’ll notice players facial expressions now. EA claims there are 600 emotional reactions that can be potentially seen during the game, and while this seems a tad exaggerated, you will see defenders screw up their face in anger when penalised for a tackle, or see strikers fume when called offside.
Again it’s the subtle touches in FIFA 15 that make the difference. Occasionally an extra ball may make it’s way onto the pitch, and a nearby player will run over to it and scoop it back out of play. Or the way they lift dead balls with the side of their foot when taking throw-ins or free-kicks. It’s little touches of seamless play like this that help make your matches all the more realistic and immersive.
The patch includes stability improvements to Friendly Seasons in Ultimate Team Seasons, other improved functionality to the Compare Price feature in FUT, and other stability issues have been fixed on PS4 in Pro Clubs, Online Seasons, and EASFC Match Day Challenges.
Obviously you are very reliant on the intelligence of your teammates, and while you can dictate play by calling for the ball, tracking opponents and finding space - it can still be a frustrating experience in FIFA 15. Often teammates will lob an easily intercepted ball to you, when a ground pass would be far more ideal.
Every near miss, every bad tackle and every bad call from the ref the player becomes a frustrated figure much like their multi-millionaire counterparts in real life. The team management has also been improved with the ability to customize up to six different team sheets per club and alteration of match strategy depending on the next opposition.
As always, EA has improved the gameplay of FIFA 15 with the addition of Emotional Intelligence. This feature includes over 600 emotional reactions, so players can react to in-game situations, perhaps not as realistic to include Luis Suarez munching on a defender but realistic nonetheless.
