Fifa 16: An Indictment against Reviewer Competency

[BQ32]

I buy Fifa annually, as with many I played PES back in the PS2 era and then gave up on Footie games completely until Fifa 12 and the fantastic inclusion of tactical defending. It was beautiful, added enjoyment to both sides of the ball, and brought in a new level of simulation.

Since 12 though, I have never had that same sense of Awe. Year after year the game still is pushed by arcadey gameplay, most prominently the Pace. Many factors were overlooked. Threw ball accuracy with the defenses inability to retreat and cover, players such as Ranaldo sprinting 75 yards down the pitch shrugging off or warping through a user controlled player while AI players at times appeared to be running for their lives or getting out of the way, Or in years past the laser beam crosses to impossible headers happening continuously. All leading to a game played by most users with little strategy. Yet year after year I watched these games receive high acclimation and review scores scoring 9's and 8's. It was as if the reviewers just looked at new animations or Ranaldo scans and didn't worry about a simulation game recreating the sport.

Now we come to Fifa 16. For the first time in years I am in awe. This game is such a drastic change in gameplay it is astonishing. The controls are the same, it looks the same, but when playing it, it is a whole different beast and represents the sport better then ever before. It is now such a rewarding game instead of a frustrating one. And for the first time ever it forces you to be patient, think about your options and find seems and strategies to attack. Yet all the review scores I see popping up around the net are down from 9's and 8's to 8's and 7's. Now I am not saying that to someone this game isn't an 8 or even a 7 but when certain sites give the last couple iterations a 9 and this one drops down into the 7's then it is huge flag to the actual knowledge these reviewers have of the sport and what it is supposed to recreate.
I fear that these scores along with the EA ***** bandwagon jumping individuals influence gameplay. What is a rewarding experience now might quickly be tuned for a more simplistic approach and we will be left yet again with an arcade game instead of a simulation.

[xicpanad]

Either these reviewers have something to win, or their simply stupid. I don´t get it. I didn´t even get it last year. Fifa was a better package than the cometition, but still PES was considered the sports game of the year .
PES did some revolution in buildup play, but in the rest!? It´s boring, no emotion in the final third, no control on shots wich are, by the way, overpowered and repetitive. Game might have some more fun in manual mode, but still lacks that emotion and the unexpected factor. Presentation is a joke, lack of licenses has no excuse and still, considered by many the best sports game of the year. This year Fifa has achieved what PES has been trying for the last two years. PES became near, Fifa just nailed it.

They have changed the two things that failed in last edition: Pace (along with dribling), and defense type. Then all the other details that have grown slowly in fifa series... it´s the animations, the presentation, the licenses, the stadium environment, the camera changes between matches, the weather system, the picth wear, the unexpected injuries, the fouls, the ball physics, it´s the damn fu@£ing awesomely realistic replays that makes us .

This game IS the full package and I hope it takes alot more then some incompetent and biased reviewers to make EA change it because as it is, for me, it´s the best soccer game we can play right now.

[slimk78]

I'm in complete agreement with the folks above. This is as good as it gets for FIFA, and it's leaps and bounds above 15' and actually feels like soccer. Reviewers are knocking it because "they forgot it's a game" when that basically means "I can't score at will". I played Arsenal vs PSG last night and ended up winning 3-2. Was one of the most fun sports gaming experiences I've had. Never felt cheated and I had to work for every pass and goal I got. And this is coming from someone who felt PES 15 was a much better game then FIFA. But the no fouls thing just kills it.

[fearwhatnow]

Take a look to my quick impressions and KG's review of the game here at OS. KG is spot on with his review which I consider right now the best in the net for FIFA 16.
After playing the demo I was sure the game will get lower scores because of the sim approach.
The real question is do we want football or something like football? For the latter there's Rocket League. Now at last we have a football game. After 10 years.

[PAPERNUT]

Quote: Originally Posted by BQ32

I fear that these scores along with the EA ***** bandwagon jumping individuals influence gameplay. What is a rewarding experience now might quickly be tuned for a more simplistic approach and we will be left yet again with an arcade game instead of a simulation.

I agree 100%. I never trust most reviews besides the ones here at OS, but EA certainly follows them and Metacritic for sure. I read all weekend from the #FIFA16 thread and seen a lot of complaints from the casuals. I also seen a lot of good things as well, so we need to let EA know their direction is right this year or else we will see a repeat of 15 in 17. I said it during the demo and it applies here as well, Tweet, email, chat with EA and kill them with kindness as they will certainly respond to positive feedback than the typical hate.

[dubcity]

I have noticed critics knocking the slower pace a bit here and there, but seems like the vast majority of the reviews are still very simplistic and positive. Especially the ones from more mainstream sources (read the ESPN one, lol). They basically boil down to, "FIFA is still totally awesome, there are women's teams, it's totally fun to score goals, etc." I wouldn't worry too much.

[RoyceDa59]

Quote: Originally Posted by dubcity

I have noticed critics knocking the slower pace a bit here and there, but seems like the vast majority of the reviews are still very simplistic and positive. Especially the ones from more mainstream sources (read the ESPN one, lol). They basically boil down to, "FIFA is still totally awesome, there are women's teams, it's totally fun to score goals, etc." I wouldn't worry too much.

They play 5 games and give a review, sounds legit.

[fearwhatnow]

Quote: Originally Posted by RoyceDa59

They play 5 games in Beginner difficulty and give a review, sounds legit.

Fixed it for you. On Pro and especially on WC difficulty I highly doubt they had fun in scoring many goals...