For the first time in the FIFA series, women’s soccer will be represented. Players will have the opportunity to set-up an international women’s soccer tournament. This mode is not simply the existing FIFA experience with female character models. The actual game play on the pitch in the women’s tournament realistically captures the pacing and feel of the international competition. Though a slower paced game it yields a purer soccer experience. Honestly, it may be the most accurate simulation of soccer present in the game. That in mind, it is unfortunate that players are pretty much limited to the international tournament option where the women’s game is concerned. There is no way to play through a season with any team from the National Women’s Soccer League or the UEFA Women’s Champions League. And lacking those leagues, you also have no pool of players to support an Ultimate Team style option. I hope the inclusion of the tournament options proves to be the first step toward expanding the women’s presence in future FIFA titles.
Beyond the women’s tourney, the other most noticeable addition to this year’s game is the Visual Trainer. This is essentially an on screen guide that offers situationally appropriate cues as to what players should do during key moments in the game. You basically see a tactic mentioned alongside the appropriate button to press. For example, if your charging striker is in scoring range, you will see a suggestion to hold a bumper and press the shoot button for either a chip or finesse shot. With the Visual Trainer on, you also get an arrow indicator around your player’s feet showing where you are aiming the thumbstick. This helps to keep passes and shots on target. What it does not do is give you any kind of feedback on missed goals or other flubs. Knowing what button to press in a situation is nice. Understanding why said button press was met with failure would have been nicer. Advanced players who need no assistance to dominate the pitch will likely opt to turn off this feature. But less skilled players such as yours truly appreciate the Visual Trainer for the friendly reminder regarding which button shoots.
Sticking with the subject of training, FIFA has always done an impressive job of orienting first timers to the game of soccer. The Visual Trainer compliments an existing collection of drills disguised as mini-games. These drills do far more for the development of your game than the Visual Trainer. I love how they are integrated into loading screen prior to matches. They are simple, fun demonstrations of all the ways you can advance as a player in FIFA. Though this mode is not unique to FIFA 16 – it’s been around a while – I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate the most underappreciated training mechanic in the history of videogames.
My beloved training mechanic is not the only familiar option making a repeat appearance. The highly addictive FIFA Ultimate Team is back. (Not that it was ever in any danger of leaving.) For those unfamiliar with the concept, Ultimate Team gives you the chance to start a new club built with a roster of players from leagues all over the world. As you take your team through tournaments and challenges, you earn points you can spend on packs of new players, consumables, etc. While doing so, you have to be mindful of the chemistry of your squad. The more your players have in common (ie, nationality, pro club and league), the better they perform together.
As if there was not already enough to manage in Ultimate Team, FIFA 16 adds the Ultimate Team Draft mode. Players will be forced to make smart decisions as they assemble a roster from a randomized set of players. To begin, you pick a formation. Make sure you pick the right one because you will have to keep through the entirety of a tournament. Then you pick your team captain from a handful of superstars. From there, you will fill out your roster making selections from a random assortment of players. Given you are limited in your selections, you have to be very mindful of chemistry. Once your roster is set, there is no raiding the transfer market to plug the holes. The club you draft is the club you are taking to the pitch throughout the duration of your tourney. So choose wisely.
Speaking of the pitch, the action there is largely unchanged. Ball physics remain great. Controls are fluid. All is in order with regard to the core gameplay. The only difference I noticed was that the AI does a better job of playing the open space, anticipating my moves than it has previously. Opposing defenders seem to be a little more ready for my next move and work to corral the open passing lanes. Through passes require a little more planning and patience than they have previously.
Lastly, players will be pleased to know that the top notch presentation that has made the ‘Beautiful Game’ such a beautiful game to enjoy in FIFA returns without any noticeable blemishes. The visuals are crisp revealing a striking level of detail from the grass on the pitch to the unique physics of Abby Wambach’s hair style. The stadium experience unique to soccer is also back. The crowd revelry in FIFA is truly stirring. Martin Tyler and Alan Smith resume their roles as commentators with steady, unobtrusive remarks.
