FIFA 15 Review
FIFA 15 is the first game in the series that was built primarily
for the new generation of consoles, but if you are a veteran of the
series, you might have a hard time noticing it. FIFA has always been one
of the most polished of the sports games, so this iteration begs the
question: How much more beautiful can The Beautiful Game get?
Those that have not played the series in recent years are in for quite
the surprise. No sports series has incrementally improved as smoothly as
FIFA. The controls are daunting at first, but it is not difficult to
learn the basics and slowly layer your game with the minutia of the
sport. Dribbling is precise, and whether you are sprinting or protecting
the ball while you advance has a tangible impact on your success.
Similarly, the differences between passing, crossing and sending a
through ball are all subtle, but you quickly learn which to use in each
situation. Due to the nature of the sport, goals are sparser than in
Madden or
NHL,
but it makes it all the more rewarding. Soccer experts and the casual
gamer alike can appreciate the depth of FIFA 15's gameplay.
The graphics are gorgeous, but it’s hard to notice during standard
play. The default camera is just so far out, the smaller details often
go unnoticed. That is more of an issue with soccer than it is with the
video game its self. However, it doesn’t take long to appreciate the
replays that give the player a closer look at the details. From the
shirts tugs between defenders and ball carriers, to the water splashing
up as a striker sprints down the field on a rainy day, everything looks
great, and runs just as well.
The commentary is as strong as ever. The main team of Martin Tyler
and Alan Smith spit out musings that are so accurate it is scary. Too
many times do we see games push the boundaries of commentating, becoming
overly specific at the cost of accurately depicting what is actually
happening on screen. That takes a player out of the experience
, and reminds them it's just a video game
.
This is something that is rarely done here. FIFA has always been a
leader in this department, and FIFA 15 is no different. When I was
playing with Chelsea or another Barclays Premier League team, nearly
every player was called by name. Obviously, when I was playing with my
local Toronto FC, this level detail was omitted, but this is
understandable considering the scope of how many teams are included.
Supporting the stellar voice work is an equally impressive soundtrack.
The music choice is varied, and feels as if it was curated with the
world-wide nature of the sport considered. Discovering unknown tracks is
always a pleasant surprise, and expect to do so a lot while playing.
For those new to the series, or the sport in general, do not fret; a
skills training collection of mini-games teaches players the more
complex techniques while pitting them in entertaining scenarios. The
challenges and the scoring progression of each technique is addictive.
When compared to
Madden’s skills trainer, it is certainly more
fun, but maybe not as practical. The explanations are occasionally too
brief, teaching a technique but not necessarily explaining when to use
it. Ultimately, this tutorial is a must for first-timers, but also a
competitive mini-game collection with extensive leader boards for
self-proclaimed pros.
The bulk of the game modes include the
standard career mode, in which you can be a player or a manager, and the
notorious Ultimate Team. The career mode is deep, allowing managers to
not only run their club, but potentially be chosen to run their national
teams. Like-wise, if you are playing as a pro you could be lent out to
other clubs while you progress to a starter on your original club.
Ultimate Team is EA’s trademark micro-transaction mode in which players
buy packs of cards, either with real cash or in-game currency, that have
various players to improve their team. FIFA 15 does a fantastic job of
explaining the intricacies before you hit the pitch, running you through
how to maximize chemistry and even shows you the benefits with a
stacked team, with 100% chemistry before you get your own deck. This
acts as a taste of how good your team can be given enough effort, and
works as a strong motivator. This is something that fellow EA Sports
game
NHL 15 failed to do entirely.
It’s hard to find
much wrong with FIFA 15. It wasn’t until I played FIFA 14 following my
time with this year’s game that I realized how little is new. FIFA 14
controlled beautifully; the game looked good, almost indistinguishable
in the standard camera view; the commentary was just as accurate; the
skills trainer was nearly identical; all the game modes mentioned above
were included. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, it would be
nice to see a significant addition this year.
For those who
are impartial to updated rosters and own last year’s game, the upgrade
may seem almost negligible. However, if you are new to the franchise, or
a die-hard soccer fan, FIFA 15 is an incredible experience that is sure
to eat up hundreds of hours on the pitch.
Score: 8.0 out of 10
*Disclaimer:
Review is for next-gen versions only. Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are not
necessarily the same game. Was reviewed on Xbox One, and possible with
EA Access, a subscription service allowing 5 day early access to EA
games.
FIFA 15 Review
As confirmed by defender Joel global site, the management of Real Madrid was clear that the club with Ronaldo has no intention of allowing him to leave the team this summer. 
