FIFA 15 Demo Gameplay Impressions

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/11/2014 by

The FIFA 15 demo launched this week with OS'ers giving plenty of feedback about what they observed. With several playable teams and the ability to really see much of what the gameplay is bringing this year, customers are going to be able to approach their buying decision of FIFA with a quite informed opinion.

We got a chance to play a few games of the demo ourselves, and here are our thoughts on this year's FIFA based on the demo...

Glenn Wigmore: I have logged many hours with the Xbox One version of FIFA 14, and I'm certainly an admirer of how the FIFA dev team approached that transition to the next generation of hardware. By focusing on resolution, animations and framerate, as well as getting most of the modes and features over, it helped keep things familiar while demonstrating the power of the new console.

From my time with the demo, FIFA 15 pushes everything further, and the additions end up being meaningful. I'm really enjoying the emotion that all aspects of the game possess, from the crowd to the individual players to the on-pitch action. The concept of telling an "in-game story" via reactions from players and replay packages works well, and it's neat to see players react when a teammate misses a chance after through pass or when a goalie and another player cross paths.

The man-to-man battles, including possession slide tackles, feel a lot better, and there's much more control on the pitch when moving at low speeds, as the dribbling animations and touch on the ball feels improved. Goalies still have a few odd behaviours, but the new animations and goal possibilities are apparent right away, as goalie Joe Hart sailed through the air with new animations and let in some deflection and other non-FIFA type goals. The AI on default settings seems unable to stop speedy runners, which is a worrisome sign. Hopefully harder difficulties provide different results.

Visually, the crowd, kits, player faces and pitch all show improvement, and the audio package continues to be impressive. I'm certainly looking forward to the full release.

Chris Sanner: There's definitely a lot of good in the demo. The player emotions are great to see and the visuals are noticeably better. The presentation package is still tight, and the crowds sound better than ever.

Players have more weight this year on the pitch, which means you can't do a lot of the cheaper things you were able to do last year, although running past defenders still seems a viable option on the lower difficulty levels. The additional control afforded to you on the pitch, especially when you are moving at slower and faster speeds is much welcome.

The tactics feature is nice, although admittedly my first few games haven't really given me enough to go on what they are offering. Goalkeepers are said to be improved, but I really didn't notice much on the demo difficulty level that'd indicate that is the case just yet. The man-to-man battles really do shine, as matchups are much more dynamic and unpredictable. I saw some real flops out there on the pitch.

Overall, FIFA 15 is looking like a winner on the pitch. If the modes follow suit, and if you are a fan of football at all, you will have a hard time saying no to this game when it launches later this month.

FIFA 15 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 neptar @ 09/12/14 06:15 AM

I have go to admit I am a little bit disappointed. They have improved the presentation which is all well and nice, but the movement of players still hasn't changed. The players off the ball just don't make realistic runs. Which means you can set up your team in a certain formation that would normally work well against the opposition only for it to be really difficult simply because the players are either static are move into weird places. I've never seen a striker make a diagonal run between 2 centre backs. It's always a direct run at goal on the shoulder of the defender.

I'm not so sure I like the camera shake when you score a goal. If it was toned down a little it would work.

I like the new keeper animations, but sometimes it feels like they are just too good. I squared the ball to Gerrard on the edge of the box, screamed it top corner and Joe Hart does a full stretch dive instantly and catches the ball. No keeper in the world would catch that ball.

Close knit passing feels a lot better and it does feel like you have more control of the players, especially when taking a first touch.

Overall I do think it's an improvement and I will get it, but I wish they would look at the AI more and improve that next time.

# 22 TreyIM2 @ 09/12/14 07:47 AM

Admittedly 'burburgeoning fan' myself so I'm not as deeply and passionately into soccer as many of u but I have played virtually all Fifa demos, owned 2 Fifa games, and was really enjoying the Fifa 14 demo on my PS4. That said, I enjoy the 15 demo even more. Control feels tighter than 14. Visually, it's on par with 14 but whussup with the jaggies, at least on the PS4. Didn't notice jaggies on the 14 demo so this jumped out at me, immediately. Hope it's not iin the retail version because I plan on getting it.

As for ppl speaking on the player models, I have to admit that I felt similarly about them, as well. Hopefully in time EA will get that together but honestly, most games' player models don't look or move that humanly, as well, so we gotta think fairly about that. It's still a videogame and for me, it's very fun so I overlook that aspect because what's there suffices.

# 23 Yeats @ 09/12/14 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neptar


	but the movement of players still hasn't changed. The players off the ball just don't make realistic runs. Which means you can set up your team in a certain formation that would normally work well against the opposition only for it to be really difficult simply because the players are either static are move into weird places.

Can all be fixed by adjusting player positioning and work rates in the formation editor, team line positioning and even aggression, and by adjusting line and run sliders. You have to put the effort and do that yourself, create custom formations etc. On top of that, FIFA 15 has a new feature where you can assign individual players specific tactics/roles, just pause the game, choose the player, and assign him a role. This might be the most innovative new feature in the series since sliders, if it works properly.

# 24 orion523 @ 09/12/14 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeats


	Can all be fixed by adjusting player positioning and work rates in the formation editor, team line positioning and even aggression, and by adjusting line and run sliders. You have to put the effort and do that yourself, create custom formations etc. On top of that, FIFA 15 has a new feature where you can assign individual players specific tactics/roles, just pause the game, choose the player, and assign him a role. This might be the most innovative new feature in the series since sliders, if it works properly.

Exactly. I've been experimenting with it a bit and it absolutely works #1 and #2 yeah it's awesome.

# 25 Battman @ 09/12/14 09:09 AM

I always was a big critic of the series (and right so). But I have to admit that I haven't had this much fun with a football game in a long time. The demo is really promising. If FIFA also makes progression of the field (i.e. transfers, finance in GM modes) this actually could be a winner for me.

# 26 japsubie @ 09/12/14 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogie2266


	I agree with most of your impressions, but I think it's harder to score a goal, the gk are better than in FIFA 14. The most exiting feature for me is the voice recognition, it's just nice to change tactics and other stuff by voice, the only difficult thing to use was the offside command because it takes 1 second from your voice command until your team is reacting. But the feature itself is just great!

whoaaaa wait a minuteeeeee... i did not know about this voice recognition, idk how either cause ive been following this game religiously... what system is this for, both xbone and ps4?? i have ps4, please tell me i can do this... lol

# 27 japsubie @ 09/12/14 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HenryClay1844


	I am a manual player, and it is annoying that some of the same things that hurt the fun of manual are still there. (Auto-switch on passes, auto moves to control a ball, lack of manual control of heading, lack of response for goalie commands.) But it does look nice, doesn't feel too fast either.

full manual here as well, what exactly do you mean auto switch on passes? are you talking about when you pass it and the player you pass to automatically turns into user controlled? or the cpu auto switching to a player when its a 50/50 ball or just defending?

# 28 japsubie @ 09/12/14 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statum71


	Beware. I tried soccer in place of hockey a few years ago and I haven't looked back. The demo is awesome. I cannot wait for the release. Broadcast camera looks AND feels like I'm watching a game on TV.

i switched to broadcast camera, its so dope... its gonna take some getting used to for me though lol

# 29 cadalyst17 @ 09/12/14 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mepting


	Gameplay and presentation are outstanding, but what's up with the player models? They don't look human. All way too skinny....kind of stretched.

I affectionately refer to them as evolution rejects. That has been one of the graphic knock on FIFA, the player models, and they are starting to stick out more and more with the beautiful atmosphere around them :-)

# 30 Matsmashed @ 09/12/14 11:23 AM

Broadcst camera has been in fifa for over 10 years, it's nothing new haha.

Fantastic demo, the presentation has taken a huge leap. For years FIFA has lagged behind all the US sports titles in the presentation department. Now it appears to be on par with the likes of MLB and 2K. If you watch Sky Sports coverage over here, it's almost scarily accurate.

# 31 boogie2266 @ 09/12/14 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japsubie


	whoaaaa wait a minuteeeeee... i did not know about this voice recognition, idk how either cause ive been following this game religiously... what system is this for, both xbone and ps4?? i have ps4, please tell me i can do this... lol

@japsubie It's on PS4 as well (which I used)
If you have a headset connected you can use voice control

# 32 gottaplaysome @ 09/12/14 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orion523


	Exactly. I've been experimenting with it a bit and it absolutely works #1 and #2 yeah it's awesome.

This is fantastic news! This means that even though two different people have differing ideas of how defenders should play, this should allow each player to customize their defender's play (to an extent of course) to give them more of the type of behavior they want their AI-controlled players to play.

It's great to hear this really works. I've not yet tried it on the demo but hope to get some time over the weekend to do so.

# 33 davis420 @ 09/12/14 02:25 PM

I had planned on getting Fifa 15 and the demo seals the deal. I've only played the opening game (Man City at Liverpool) twice. 1st game I got a red card for a bad slide tackle. In the game I'm playing now, the cpu took Lambert out with a tackle and he's out with an injury and the cpu got a yellow card. The little details are looking spot on in my opinion. Grass stains on shorts after players slide or dive and the field getting beat up looks good, too! I'm ready to go trade Fifa 14 in now!

# 34 bxphenom7 @ 09/12/14 02:42 PM

The gameplay was definitely an improvement, speed is good, and harder to score on GK (I'm not sure what the knock was on the GK at Gamescom, probably need more time to play or wait for reviews). I'm not a fan of the player models or the movement and animations though. These aspects are such eye sores on an otherwise great looking game.

# 35 grizzlies317 @ 09/12/14 02:51 PM

Is there a way to trigger the 10 man celebration or is it something that just happens randomly?

# 36 japsubie @ 09/12/14 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogie2266


	@japsubie It's on PS4 as well (which I used) If you have a headset connected you can use voice control

im assuming there are specific commands? is there anywhere i can find these out?

# 37 boogie2266 @ 09/12/14 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japsubie


	im assuming there are specific commands? is there anywhere i can find these out?

With a connected headset you get help about commands in the menu

# 38 The Visualizer @ 09/12/14 04:07 PM

Played 5 games of the demo on my preferred difficulty level "world class" and came away very impressed with all the improvements. Some notable things:

-corner kick tactics are awesome. I know you have been able to create them for years in the training ground but it's nice to have your players have a purpose on corners now without needing to spend an afternoon creating stuff. They work really well.

-presentation improvements are nice. I particularly like my defenders giving dap to the keeper after incredible saves and the back and forth after strong fouls. The highlight packages are pretty slick.

-keeper improvements are a mixed bag so far. They save a lot of shots that were money in past FIFAs but let short side goals in almost everytime. I've seen weird behavior when they come off their line sometimes where they get completely caught out. It also seems way easier to make saves on PKs now as a human controlled player due to an drastic increase in lateral agility which I don't like.

-passing and dribbling are a lot more responsive where FIFA14 I had problems with passes not happening responsively from time to time

-AI got a nice overhaul in all phases. Lots of good attacking runs are made with needing with use of LB/L1. Defenders are slick with different ways of being physical and crafty to regain possession and don't get pulled our of formation as easily. Some legacy problems have been fixed like them showing too much of the ball when playing out of the back where you could easily win the ball back in previous years even on higher difficulties. I need to play some more to see if the friendly AI is still passive on 50/50 air balls which I've hated for years.

Looks and plays a good bit better than FIFA14 on PS4 IMO

# 39 Zac @ 09/12/14 04:58 PM

I just canceled my pre order. Decided I want digital for this one. No plans on ever selling or trading it. No need for a disc lads. And just completed the PSN pre order. All set. 11 days. I. Am. Ready.

# 40 BL8001 @ 09/12/14 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoBs2007


	Played a few matches. Saw ZERO long distance attempts from the CPU. ZILCH! The CPU still dribbles in perfect circles around my defenders only to attempt to dribble the ball to the corner flag, stand there for awhile, and then proceed to try and walk the ball into the net. You can only see CPU players dribbling around in circles for so many years before getting sick of it. Play a game of FIFA and count how many turns each player does with the ball, and then watch a game in real life. The majority of players in real life don't move very far when they get the ball (or even dribble), yet in FIFA everyone can maneuver like Messi. Oh well, guess I'm in the minority.

I agree. I still think it's much better than 14, but I do agree with you.

In 14 they would only shoot from 6m out and only if everything was absolutely perfect. In 15 they will shoot from at least 18m out and the situation only has to be 85% perfect. My problem with it is that the close to perfect shooting situations for the CPU happen because your defenders back away from the ball.

As for the dribbling there isn't much that can be done. This is a legacy FIFA issue. The CPU will always be able to do those flippy flappy start stop moves. It gets worse on the higher levels because then the CPU starts anticipating your defensive tackle move before you do it and flick the ball away from you nonchalantly. It's just never going to go away.

It just works one of two ways. You get mad at this stuff and hate on FIFA or you get mad at this stuff and realize its the only way EA can make the AI competitive.

It does suck, but it's just the way it is. I don't think they will ever be able to fix that unless they scrap the entire dribbling mechanic and rebuild it for USER and CPU.

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