I Never Want to Quit You FIFA 16

Feature Article

Submitted on: 11/27/2015 by Kevin Groves

Make no mistake about it, FIFA's stranglehold on exclusive licenses is a major reason why the series has enjoyed so much success since the launch of the Xbox 360 and PS3. The ability to pick it up and play as nearly all of your favorite clubs makes it a day-one purchase for so many of us footy enthusiasts. Combine that with stable online servers and modes galore, and it's no wonder why EA Canada has been the most praised EA development team over the last few years. Despite this stronghold, FIFA has still found a way to grow by expanding into the all-important US soccer market.

With the MLS's popularity growing (and rightfully so as this year's playoffs have been a lot of fun to watch), and both National Teams (Men & Women) enjoying varying degrees of success, US soccer is on an upward tick. Throw in the acquisition of the English Premier League by NBC, and it's amazing to think how far soccer has come in the last 10 years (just check the ESPN ticker on a college-football-filled Saturday). Lost in all this is how much FIFA has played a part in growing the game here in the US. FIFA 16 took an already popular game, and expanded to one of the fastest growing markets, women. With the inclusion of the Women's National Teams, right after the World Cup nonetheless, FIFA 16 is continuing to grow the beautiful game.

My infatuation with the FIFA series dates to back to FIFA International Soccer (later known as FIFA 94). Memories of trying to win the World Cup on the Super Nintendo still resonate as some of the most exhilarating gaming experiences of my childhood. FIFA 95 took my enthusiasm to new levels with club teams, but World Cup 98 on the Playstation captivated me like few other games have. Hoisting the trophy with a Dutch squad full of legends like Dennis Bergkamp, Seedorf, Kluivert and my personal favorite Edgar Davids felt like a dream. Since then FIFA has had its hooks in me, with FIFA 16 being no different.

With an annual release after the European seasons kick off, FIFA enthusiasts like myself spend hours watching and researching clubs trying to find the right one to take a hold of in Career Mode. Incoming transfers, kits and past history are just but a few factors that come into play when deciding on what club I will lead to glory or be hilariously sacked from. After settling on a club and sliders (shout out to the OS Community Slider Thread for keeping us "sim" oriented), it's straight into the thick of things while always keeping an eye out for tips and tricks from OS's FIFA Forum to help improve my gaming experience.

As the technology advances and FIFA becomes more life-like so does the hold FIFA has on me -- despite getting older and having competing priorities. Without knowing what the future holds, I can say one thing with Mourinho-like confidence: the FIFA video game series will always hold a special place in my heart.

What are you fondest memories of the FIFA franchise?

FIFA 16 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 Resurrection403 @ 11/27/15 05:41 PM

Jeez. Was that an article or paid advertisement?

# 2 bhurst99 @ 11/27/15 05:46 PM

That was a bizarre article.

# 3 Turbojugend @ 11/27/15 06:01 PM

I pretty much feel the same way about the FIFA series. I play just about every sports game out there, and even though The Show was a serious contender this year, it's FIFA that always keeps me coming back.

Fondest memory? Without a doubt, taking Hereford United (R.I.P.) from League 2 to the top of the Premiership in FIFA 08. I've had better in-game experiences since then, but nothing rivals that achievement. Also, running Football Conference and 1970's NASL leagues was a blast, back when Creation Centre was still a thing.

# 4 razorkaos @ 11/27/15 11:06 PM

I would say, playing FIFA 95 on the SEGA Mega Drive with a bunch of friends, everyone picking a team and emulating the Copa do Brasil, as the knockout format was the best choice for us in a time when memory cards did not exist.

# 5 bigdipper88 @ 11/27/15 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbojugend


	I pretty much feel the same way about the FIFA series. I play just about every sports game out there, and even though The Show was a serious contender this year, it's FIFA that always keeps me coming back. Fondest memory? Without a doubt, taking Hereford United (R.I.P.) from League 2 to the top of the Premiership in FIFA 08. I've had better in-game experiences since then, but nothing rivals that achievement. Also, running Football Conference and 1970's NASL leagues was a blast, back when Creation Centre was still a thing.

PES is actually a better game than FIFA, though alot may not want to admit it.

# 6 TheCloser @ 11/28/15 02:48 AM

As far as opinions go, this article has got to be one of the worst opinions I've ever read. I'll ignore the fact that it reads like a paid advertisement but I'm really concerned about how someone can truly believe this. I guess the thing that really bothers me about this article is the title. I understand the nostalgia but this iteration is exactly what got me to quit fifa. Fifa 16 has the worst fifa gameplay in recent memory. The chase of perfect simulation has led to the most boring fifa game in history. It is consistently boring and fails to emulate the key aspects of soccer correctly. It is a chore to play and it's a stagnant franchise in desperate need of innovation.

# 7 jvalverde88 @ 11/28/15 05:03 AM

I didn't read this as a paid advertisement, then again it seems some people here have clear agendas with the game.

A lot of what he said are true.

# 8 JimmyDeicide @ 11/28/15 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCloser


	As far as opinions go, this article has got to be one of the worst opinions I've ever read. I'll ignore the fact that it reads like a paid advertisement but I'm really concerned about how someone can truly believe this. I guess the thing that really bothers me about this article is the title. I understand the nostalgia but this iteration is exactly what got me to quit fifa. Fifa 16 has the worst fifa gameplay in recent memory. The chase of perfect simulation has led to the most boring fifa game in history. It is consistently boring and fails to emulate the key aspects of soccer correctly. It is a chore to play and it's a stagnant franchise in desperate need of innovation.

No, this might be the worst opinion.

# 9 bxphenom7 @ 11/28/15 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdipper88


	PES is actually a better game than FIFA, though alot may not want to admit it.

Pretty much my sentiment as well. I always felt PES was actually for purists since there aren't even sliders so the gameplay HAS to be priority. With FIFA, it just seems EA markets simulation but of course each year people have to rectify the arcadiness with sliders and EA must know this which is why the game has hardly changed gameplay wise. Then again, I don't feel Konami does enough to push PES in terms of a full package. They consistently ignore presentation elements when they're already down on licenses. You'd think they would do as much as possible in that area without violating licensing. But yeah, PES definitely has the better gameplay.

# 10 JimmyDeicide @ 11/28/15 04:04 PM

You forgot huge holes in its defensive game.

Look both games have their flaws we know this but both are close to the best they have ever been.

This year Fifa has got me over pes i havnt said that since Fifa 11 i think when i could do the live seasons mode . best mode EVA!! paid for the download even it was that good.

# 11 Matt10 @ 11/28/15 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bxphenom7


	Pretty much my sentiment as well. I always felt PES was actually for purists since there aren't even sliders so the gameplay HAS to be priority. With FIFA, it just seems EA markets simulation but of course each year people have to rectify the arcadiness with sliders and EA must know this which is why the game has hardly changed gameplay wise. Then again, I don't feel Konami does enough to push PES in terms of a full package. They consistently ignore presentation elements when they're already down on licenses. You'd think they would do as much as possible in that area without violating licensing. But yeah, PES definitely has the better gameplay.

I think those that still have their PES nostalgia goggles on would agree that PES gameplay is superior to FIFA. As someone who has been a die hard PES fan for years - it slowly faded away in PES 2014 with the emergence of the Fox engine.

I would say the majority are in the same agreement, and it is well documented on the likes of Evo-Web and Soccergaming just how far the PES 'purist' feel the last three iterations of "our game" has nose-dived into absolute failure. All we're left with now is FIFA, and it's not a bad second choice all things considered.

# 12 Resurrection403 @ 11/29/15 12:44 PM

I've owned FIFA for the last 4 years, PES last 2 years.

FIFA's legacy issues I pointed out in another thread are ongoing for years. This is inexcusable for a game with so much profit. Career mode is basically a joke at this point, with terrible CPU ai roster management. Barely any roster turn over. Teams all play the exact same way. Someone created a thread about which player they fear most in CM.. as if it matters. AI Players don't do skill moves and hulking players like Zlatan don't use their size. At all.

As far as in game stuff, the same old same old exists. The game has certain places you score. It doesn't feel chaotic and fluid like PES at all (in a good way). If you want to score you basically go thru the same routine and same areas, and it plays out very much the same as previous games. Silly things like the AI crossing being terrible exist to this day. Knock on runs for the cpu ai are unstoppable, but if you have a speedy player knocking the ball and sprinting you'll get caught almost every time.

Is FIFA good soccer game. YES. Does it have unforgivable sloppy problems that have existed for 5 years + now? YEP. Considering how much money people dump into this game every year it's beyond unforgivable. I consider it greed. Next year I'm likely buying PES on pc only ... people make amazing mods to put all the major leagues in the game. Hell, you can even get a program to force roster changes yourself to make it interesting.

I don't think I can hack FIFA 17 and being in year 5 of my career mode and the teams are all basically identical to year 1 except for some few and far in between transfers. Of which I bet 80% make no sense.

So ya, this article reads rather shallow and schlocky considering the warts on this game that are gathering dust.

edit: and dont take my word for it. Look at metacritic and user scores for fifa over the years. there's a reason critics give it a great rating and year in and year out the user rating is a pitiful one. Critics play it for a few weeks and real players who have to deal with it for months see the games incredible short comings and lazy shortcuts.

edit: Just for fun, this is the user score for FIFA from 11 onwards
FIFA 11: 8.0
FIFA 12: 7.1
FIFA 13: 6.5
FIFA 14: 6.3
FIFA 15: 5.6
FIFA 16: 4.2

This isn't a coincidence. It's people getting fed up with legacy issues that EA refuses to address. PES on the other hand, in case you think people are just rating lower because they're getting pickier, PES has gone up in score from year to year now for a couple years.

# 13 dubcity @ 11/29/15 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt10


	I think those that still have their PES nostalgia goggles on would agree that PES gameplay is superior to FIFA. As someone who has been a die hard PES fan for years - it slowly faded away in PES 2014 with the emergence of the Fox engine. I would say the majority are in the same agreement, and it is well documented on the likes of Evo-Web and Soccergaming just how far the PES 'purist' feel the last three iterations of "our game" has nose-dived into absolute failure. All we're left with now is FIFA, and it's not a bad second choice all things considered.

I'll agree that PES 2014 was horrible and probably shouldn't have been released, but the graphics overhaul was absolutely necessary when you consider what the game looks like now. Things had to change.

And lets not pretend that PES 2013 wasn't derided (rightly) and mocked for being visually outdated and an overall frustrating mess. I would argue that the retrospective acclaim that that game has received is a far crazier example of nostalgia running amok.

# 14 Matt10 @ 11/29/15 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubcity


	I'll agree that PES 2014 was horrible and probably shouldn't have been released, but the graphics overhaul was absolutely necessary when you consider what the game looks like now. Things had to change. And lets not pretend that PES 2013 wasn't derided (rightly) and mocked for being visually outdated and an overall frustrating mess. I would argue that the retrospective acclaim that that game has received is a far crazier example of nostalgia running amok.

Oh, I agree, I personally do not find PES 2013 enjoyable anymore. It's more of an aesthetics issue than anything. However, I do not feel a new engine was necessary to fix the issues. PES 2011 had it right on, then 2012 then 2013 took a different turn and the ugly head of PES 2008-2010 stretched out in between the cracks.

I think the love of PES comes from an unconditional love. Right now, PES and I are broken up - but to say I'm not thinking of PES while I'm with FIFA would be a lie because I still have nostalgia of my first days with PES 4 on the PC, modifying option files and reducing the calves size of individual players to make it look more realistic.

I swear I'm over her...I mean PES

# 15 ncaafootball14markus @ 11/30/15 08:29 PM

...been playing fifa since 13....

this year i REALLY didn't like the impossibility of winning on world class (super frustrated)...

so i downloaded PES 16 ON PC

WOW! PES 16 is just a better game.... i'm actually shocked...

unfortunately, they have ZERO exclusive rights; so i'm sitting here downloading KIT packs, etc etc.

if PES had the same exclusive rights as fifa, PES would destroy fifa. it's seriously that simple.

# 16 DBMcGee3 @ 12/01/15 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncaafootball14markus


	...been playing fifa since 13.... this year i REALLY didn't like the impossibility of winning on world class (super frustrated)... so i downloaded PES 16 ON PC WOW! PES 16 is just a better game.... i'm actually shocked... unfortunately, they have ZERO exclusive rights; so i'm sitting here downloading KIT packs, etc etc. if PES had the same exclusive rights as fifa, PES would destroy fifa. it's seriously that simple.

Just your opinion man, but I know where you're coming from. I've finally gotten a little more comfortable playing World Class, enough so to win almost half the time, but it still irks me that there isn't a level in between that and Pro, which is unbelievably easy.

That being said, it isn't like PES doesn't have major flaws of its own. The abundance of scoring and a virtual absence of fouls or cards are both big issues in my opinion, and then there's Konami's team of chimpanzees, who are apparently responsible for Data Packs and roster updates. Frighteningly negligent stuff from them thus far this year, although you may be able to avoid some of that playing on PC, where patches and option files actually still exist.

At the end of the day they're 2 completely different games, so comparing them is very difficult. It just drives me crazy to see people dissect every flaw of one game and refuse to mention any flaws of the other. I don't mean to imply that you did that, but lots of people do.

I own both and play them all the time, and am not trolling by any means. Just calling it like I see it, having spent so much time with both games over the years.

# 17 Timeetyo @ 12/01/15 10:47 PM

Since we are on a PES vs. FIFA debate - how does the PES career mode stack up against FIFAs? I'm particularly interested in doing a RTG type career (and can you turn off firing....argh) and also building teams through the youth academy (or equivalent).

# 18 KG @ 12/02/15 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeetyo


	Since we are on a PES vs. FIFA debate - how does the PES career mode stack up against FIFAs? I'm particularly interested in doing a RTG type career (and can you turn off firing....argh) and also building teams through the youth academy (or equivalent).

PES' Master League lacks the bells & whistles that FIFA's Career Mode has, even despite it's shortcomings.

Also, even though PES' Master League had the concept of a Youth Academy first, it's randomly generated and the same meaning that if you start a ML with Barca you will have the same youth squad as if you were to start one with Stoke.

# 19 JayD @ 12/03/15 03:06 PM

Career mode is a joke, especially their transfer system. I don't see how anyone can praise FIFA's career mode?

More Links