FIFA 14 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360, PS3)

[Qb]

Finally had the chance to play multiple games last night; played on World Class, slow, with manual controls (usual settings for me) on PS3.

Dribbling is definitely different. I think the changes are for the good in the long run, but it's going to take some adjustment no doubt. I can see the potential for it to really improve 1v1 or OTP play since sprinting really impacts dribble accuracy. However, This doesn't seem to impact the CPU as much, and they seem to make up ground quite quickly when I do get into some open space. For now, I'm willing to chalk the latter up to the learning curve.

I can't take much else away from the games I played because they're so short and I didn't mess with the sliders much. Changing the line settings has a big impact on gameplay, and since I didn't care for 13 with the default settings, I'm not surprised that the demo doesn't do it for me. On the positive side, players seemed to close down more aggressively and naturally, rather than rushing towards but suddenly stopping several feet away to contain... at least the CPU players. My guys were less gung-ho, meaning I had to do a lot of switching if I wanted to pressure the ball.

And they really changed headers, eh? I put several corners through the box and out for a throw.

[LionsFanNJ]

Tried the 14 demo after last playing FIFA 99 (you read that right) played three games all on amateur and semi-pro and had a pretty fun times. had to work the ball around a bit to get scoring looks and I beat Man City as Milan 2 - 0 and had the same score in another game.

Being full of myself I jumped the difficulty to Pro and played against Dortmund as Barcelona and got stomped 4 - 0. Crazy dribble moves and shots everywhere and I didn't get a single shot attempt off.

Still being a fringe soccer fan it was pretty fun experience for me. Will probably pick up a used one in a few months with the other non sports games coming out I want to play.

Also lastly loved the physics in the game. The players felt weighty if that makes sense.

[pk500]

Quote: Originally Posted by orion523

Speed: Slow Sprint: 49/49 Acc: 49/49 Pass speed: 51/51 Shot speed: 50/50 Pass error: 52/61 shot error: 50/50 injuries, keepers, run freq, all 50/50 Marking: 67/67 Height 51/51 Length: 44/44 Width 48/48 FB's 53/53 First touch: 52/55

These sliders, along with your subsequent tweaks, are terrific. They breathe new life into the demo. Well done, man.

[orion523]

Quote: Originally Posted by pk500

These sliders, along with your subsequent tweaks, are terrific. They breathe new life into the demo. Well done, man.

Thanks bud, they at least give a little hint as to what's possible once we have the full game. Next Friday really can't get here fast enough.

[toomerk]

Quote: Originally Posted by DBMcGee3

I'm warming up to FIFA demo, much more than I expected to be, but at the end of the day I just prefer the wider variety of goals I'm getting with the PES demo. It just seems like, on FIFA, every time I shoot while in the box, it's a goal. I've had no less than 3 goals where the ball wasn't even struck particularly hard, and I was legitimately shocked when the keeper didn't get to them. It's also still a bit too easy to get behind the defense altogether, which is something you rarely see in PES, or real life footie for that matter. I'd say after playing the FIFA demo 8-10 times, that probably 70% of my goals have resembled an in-game penalty kick, where it's just me straight ahead vs the goalie. I also don't like the feel of the passing in FIFA for whatever reason. I HATE the pass and shot meter being down in the corner of the screen, and sometimes I feel like even when I try to crush a pass, it still doesn't go particularly far or with as much pace as I'd like. I also find the passing animations to be a tad unrealistic, with far too many toe poke looking passes. Still, it's a really good game and obviously it has plenty of well polished bells and whistles, I just don't find the game to be as engaging as PES.

If anyone ever finds FIFA monotonous, try out full manual control. It really is a completely different game. Building attacks take patience, and every game is unique. Matter of fact, FIFA on full manual is the most PES-like (old school PES) experience I've found. Also, your passing worries go away almost instantly.

That said, my biggest gripe with the demo is the fact that teammates don't "check" to the ball when I'm in possession, oftentimes leaving me stranded in the midfield. Their first instinct is to always make a run forward, regardless of the context. I'm sure a custom tactic adjustment lowering the buildup speed will work, but we aren't allowed to change that at the moment. Otherwise, I love how much more realistic the player movement is this time around.

[toomerk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yeats

Royce, as a fellow Ontarian, I have to share with you that the FIFA 14 demo with gameplay edits to reduce speed and CPU cheating is the best game of sim football I've ever played. Don't give up. (You can give up on the Leafs though, that's understandable. )

I can attest to this. The best adjustment you can make is to CPU pass/shot error. Pulls the realism back quite a bit. Now, the 80+ minute SuperCPU speed on the other hand...

[drunkenferret]

Started out on World Class, and while I rarely give up more than a goal, I found myself lucky to get more than 1 or 2 shots on goal per match, resulting in every match ending in a penalty shootout. So I decided to drop down to Professional, and man did things seem to change up drastically. Suddenly it seemed like I had a little time on the ball. There is no doubt that buildup is key this year, and whereas I though heading was screwed up on 13, so far on the demo, if you have a target man in the box (Lewandowski, Ibra, Cavani, etc.) throwing crosses into the box has become enjoyable again.

Issues with the game for me are not deal breakers, but I agree psychic ai is annoying. The CPU never misses a slide tackle, and fouls are rare, although I am getting them. I've had some great through balls through the middle, and on these chances Messi looks like Messi. For what he does, he is the best player in the demo.

I agree slider adjustments will be key, as there are times when my teammates are nowhere to be found on attacks, and wait too long to make runs. Something else I noticed, but is anyone else getting a ton of offsides? It's a demo so don't take as gospel yet!

I usually play with a 4-2-3-1, and had trouble using Barca in the 4-3-3, but when I switched I switched up the formation things started to click. Dortmund has been my favorite to play with so far. Tactically, each team is different, and where I can work attacks through the middle with Barca, had a great ranged goal with Messi, Dortmund seems to thrive on crosses into the box to Lewandowski (love heading with this guy!).

Fifa 13 is dead to me. I'll keep messing with the Demo until the EA Ticket release.

[woody2goody]

I don't know where this 'game is too fast' stuff comes from. To be this demo is just the right speed.

PES this year is like an elephant walking through treacle - much too slow.

Football is a fast game in general - if your game is too slow it doesn't feel exciting to play. You can still have a slightly faster sim-style game.

Players are slower to accelerate this year and feel slower while running with the ball (not sprinting) - I think this gives a more deliberate feel, but well balanced nevertheless.