Initially, most of FIFA 14’s innovations appear superficial. The way
players move and shoot have both been dramatically improved, and there’s
a new level of realism to the animation on the pitch (cutscenes look a
bit robotic in comparison). But the longer I played, the more I realised
these additions subtly affected how matches played out, and the style
in which I played.
And though it’s tricky to separate them out – it’s really a cumulative
effect – I think it all starts with the more natural way players move
and interact, with each other and the ball. They’ve become
much more physical entities in the last few years – evident in tackles
and collisions – but now that’s finally seeped in the way they move.
Players transfer their weight convincingly when they suddenly change
direction, they have a sense of momentum once they’ve built up speed,
and they caress the ball with the inside and outside of their boot when
they pivot or cut inside. It looks great, making games much more
attractive to watch, yet it also shapes the general style of play.
Given the improvements made to animations, it’s slightly disappointing
that the overall graphics haven’t been improved, though. On the pitch,
it looks like it has for the last few years, and it’s on the verge of
becoming stale. That said, the overall presentation continues to
improve. The pre-match build up is impeccably directed, doing a great
job of imitating the the spectacle and glitz that’s synonymous with
modern sports broadcasting.
The improved animation has a deeper impact. FIFA’s dribbling has been
something of a work in progress, improving incrementally over the last
few years, but Precision Movement (that's how EA's referring to the new
animation system) really feels like the missing piece of that puzzle.
It’s more liberated and expressive than ever before. You can really skin
players on the wings, and the ball has more distance from the player,
making running with it feel much faster and mercurial. Dribbling also
works well in tandem with the new ability to protect the ball manually
using the left trigger or L2. It helps you retain possession in key
situations – if the opposition tries to pick your pocket, you can hold
out an arm to fend them off. But I found myself using it more
productively in attacking situation, since it’s perfect for turning
defenders when bearing down on goal.
Improvements have also been made to shooting. Pulling the trigger now
produces a range of different shots – balls dip at the last minute,
gradually rise into the top corner, or are thumped low and hard.
Combined with the improved ball physics, I found myself scoring types of
goals that I never saw in FIFA 13: there are more rebounds, more balls
falling marginally over the line, more deflections, more venom. It adds
pleasing visual variety, but it’s ultimately determined by factors
largely out of your control.
Meanwhile, passing definitely feels like it’s in need of some attention.
It’s just not as clean or as precise as it is PES. Playing a
cross-field pass should feel more graceful than it currently does and
close, one-touch passing should be faster. It’s never really been as
central to the style FIFA has tried to recreate, and this year it
definitely feels a touch behind its other fundamentals.
My favourite aspect of FIFA 14,
though, is unquestionably the improved AI of teammates. When going
forward, I always had plenty of options. Players intelligently run into
space, demanding the ball played into their feet or down the line. I’ve
always been a fan of the lobbed-through ball, and in FIFA 13 I
obstinately use it to no great effect. But in FIFA 14
there’s someone there, making the run I always wanted. And I find
putting them through just as satisfying as scoring a goal. This
intelligence is also present when defending (players don’t get sucked
towards the ball so easily), but I definitely found it more useful going
forward. Perhaps it’s a consequence of having a more inquisitive
forward line, but I experienced more dubious offside decisions than in
previous seasons.
Of late, FIFA’s tried to encourage thoughtful, build-up play, but the
improvements made to the movement of your fellow teammates really foster
more end-to-end, thrilling encounters. It’s the side of football FIFA
has always excelled at portraying: taking early leads, a frantic tempo,
and plenty of last-minute goals. That’s not to say there isn’t a
tactical element, but it’s not FIFA’s real strength, and this year it
feels like it’s more comfortable with that identity.
FIFA 14 is even more tightly stitched into the rhythms of the real-life
game. Stats continue to be updated, using information from the most
recent round of real-world fixtures, and pundits again single out
players experiencing a patch of good form. Yet it's all integrated much
better this year, with the commentary less crowbarred into the opening
of matches. This year it even extends to the presentation prefacing
games. For instance, when I played as Real Madrid, the pre-match buildup
focussed closely on Gareth Bale, following his recent record-breaking
transfer. They’re little touches, but together it raises the level of
presentation and ensures that FIFA stays relevant for the duration of
the season.
It also has unparalleled variety for a sports game. There are just so
many different ways to consume it. From one-off fixtures to ongoing
seasons, online friendlies, a selection of that week’s games, a career
mode, and skill games (there’s a whole new suite of addictive mini-games
to grapple with). And that’s all before we get to Ultimate Team, which
is increasingly the most popular way to enjoy FIFA. There are lot of
minor but very welcome additions – online Single Matches thankfully
return after last year’s absence, meaning you can contribute to FUT even
if you’re pressed for time and without the pressure of a season-long
campaign. And the number of divisions to scale has been taken up to 10,
making the challenge even greater.
Furthermore, this year’s fresh interface – a series of tiles reminiscent
of the Xbox dashboard – really comes into its own when playing Ultimate
Team. It’s clean, inviting, and highly functional. Nowhere is this more
keenly felt than when trawling the transfer market. It’s easier than
ever before to search for players or filter the market depending on what
your team needs. It might sound like a minor improvement, but I’m
eternally grateful.
The really big change to Ultimate Team is Chemistry Styles, which
introduces lite RPG elements into the sport. Chemistry links in FUT have
sometimes felt a tad opaque, but now you can determine the style of
your players. You can assign each player a different class, which
slightly changes key attributes. So “Artist” accentuates a players
passing and dribbling, while “Sentinel” enhances defending and heading.
They’re essentially skill trees, with the stat boost being heightened
over time. They can also be mixed and matched to really capitalise on
the style of your team. It’s a neat addition, adding more sophistication
to the chemistry system. If you’ve never ventured into the
life-absorbing world of Ultimate Team, FIFA 14 provides the ideal moment
to jump aboard – though I really wish EA would consolidate XP, Coins,
and FIFA Points into one in-game currency.
The Verdict
FIFA 14
isn’t a major landmark for the series in terms of innovation. Unlike
recent iterations, it doesn’t ask you to relearn key skills. But the
changes have made FIFA more attacking, fun, welcoming, and attractive,
and ultimately it’s a stronger experience. PES presents a credible
alternative in terms of gameplay – FIFA can’t replicate it’s artful
passing style – but when it comes to exciting gameplay, impeccable
presentation, and a generous year-long experience, FIFA is still in a
league of its own.
Source: ign.com
Rating: 9
