FIFA 14 News Post

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

09:29 AM - September 10, 2013 by Steve_OS

The FIFA 14 demo is available now for Xbox 360 users (queue it up here), weighing in at 1.5 GB. It is also available for PS3 users as of this afternoon.

3 minutes per half (Non-adjustable)
You can set the difficulty (Professional, World Class, Legendary, Amateur, Semi-Pro)
You can set the game speed (Normal, Slow, Fast)
You can change the weather (Clear, Overcast, Rainy)
You can change camera angles
You can change gameplay sliders

Teams available in the demo are listed below.

FC Barcelona
AC Milan
Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur
Paris Saint-Germain
Borussia Dortmund
Boca Juniors
NY Red Bulls

You can also try out FIFA Ultimate Team and practice some moves in the practice arena.

The demo for PC users was released last night, some impressions have been posted here.

UPDATE: The PS3 demo is available now (Outside of the US) - Still waiting for US demo release, most likely later this afternoon.

UPDATE #2: Was able to start downloading the PS3 version of the demo, so it's now available for Americans as well!

Game: FIFA Soccer 14Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: iOS / PC / PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 16 - View All

FIFA Soccer 14 Videos

Member Comments

# 61 Gnemi @ 09/11/13 01:28 PM

A large part of my concerns with gameplay are admittedly due to my complete lack of ability to break down the AI defense.

In my five games, I think I took a sum total of two shots on goal. No, not lying. Two.

# 62 gopher_guy @ 09/11/13 01:57 PM

Very impressed with the momentum. Seems like you can no longer sprint down the side of the field and stop/turn on a dime to cut inside the defender for a clear run at the goal.

Ball also seems more lively/realistic. Seems like it takes players longer to gain control at times.

# 63 IowaAJ @ 09/11/13 02:09 PM

It felt a lot more realistic. I actually had to think about how I was going to penetrate the defense. I scored a goal on a Corner kick one of my guys headed it and the other put it in the back of the net with his left foot. I only played one game but I thought this game was harder than one's in the past where I could get guys behind the defense all the time. I don't know if I'm going to buy this or not but it is definitely a step in the right direction.

# 64 ROABS @ 09/11/13 03:26 PM

does the cpu foul more? or do they still pinpoint perfect tackle? im reading mixed reviews on this. i have yet to download it due to time restraints.

# 65 electrickeeper @ 09/11/13 03:46 PM

There's a lot of little improvements, but nothing I would consider groundbreaking.

I'm having fun with it so far though.

# 66 infemous @ 09/11/13 06:24 PM

When I first fired up the demo, I was very very impressed. As I played more and more the same issues that irk me about FIFA 11 (the last FIFA I bought) persist.

Every CPU player has fantastic control, especially in critical situations. If I am through on goal and I fire a shot across goal with my other attacker and a defender streaking after it, the defender will get it and will lift his leg up to his chest, perfectly trapping the ball. No matter how long I hold down shoot or try and run into him to force him into the goal I met with some form of resistance.

CPU defenders are psychic and perfectly anticipate every move you do. There is not a single REACTIVE action by the CPU. Every input I put in with my controller is instantly known by the opposition. I want to lunge into the tackle? The CPU side steps with a CB. I want to move off and lock off a running lane, the player immediately moves away from it. Momentum only exists for the human player.

I find myself being so aware of CPU processes that I forget how to play football and instead think how I can counteract psychic CPU AI.

I played vs the Red Bulls with PSG on Professional and found that despite winning possession 61 to 39, when they had the ball, every player moved exactly the same as Barcelona, Milan and Spurs did when I played them. I don't even know who the midfielders and defenders were, but they appeared to be just as good on the ball as Xavi.

My first impression was a complete WOW as I was trounced 3-0 by Spurs and I carved some nice opportunities. The goals they scored were nice and Bale turned a ball onto his left foot to shoot!!!
Ball physics looked good and there was a minor deflection that pushed his shot onto the crossbar but it still bounced in.

After that game I just constantly felt the game cheating, with the absence of fouls being called on them a constant source of frustration. I would get barged off the ball and nothing would happen, yet I'd run into a player by accident and get a foul called against me.

Also, instances that really frustrate me, and this may be down to playing with default settings, were that I never felt fully in control of my player. There were numerous one on one situations for the ball in which my player would suddenly stop or try a soft header out of nowhere, when all I'm trying to do is charge towards the ball to challenge the CPU from getting it. I then overshoot them and my player is madly out of position.

Its the same crap that makes a singleplayer experience with the game a source of frustration than pleasure, and couple that with the embarrassing career mode options and all you're left with is a head to head online game which in my opinion never warrants the price of the game out of the box, especially having to deal with the people who cheese and pause the game excessively, quit or get you disconnected.

I'll be saving my money another year, and I hope the PES demo I'm downloading now lives up to my now lofty expectations of it. That looks like a real game.

# 67 infemous @ 09/11/13 06:27 PM

To the people saying Crabwalk is gone. Control Pastore on PSG and say that again.

I'm not aware of what Crabwalk necessarily is, but I'm assuming its the super sideways dribble that certain players do and he does it.

Its still there if that is what it is.

Also, penalty animations are still a ****ing joke. When will they get people to kick a dead ball properly???? Never see any velocity on penalties either, I don't know how this can still be wrong.

# 68 Gnemi @ 09/11/13 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infemous


	To the people saying Crabwalk is gone. Control Pastore on PSG and say that again. I'm not aware of what Crabwalk necessarily is, but I'm assuming its the super sideways dribble that certain players do and he does it. Its still there if that is what it is. Also, penalty animations are still a ****ing joke. When will they get people to kick a dead ball properly???? Never see any velocity on penalties either, I don't know how this can still be wrong.

I noticed velocity issues elsewhere, too. If a player has 90+ shot power, you wouldn't know it by watching them strike the ball in the game. Everything has a sort of...lofted trajectory for lack of a better description.

This year in particular seems bereft of power and physicality. I still can't help but use the description that it looks like a bunch of old men with back spasms running around. I'm going to play more tonight and see how my impressions change. I'm in the "not buying on day one" camp at this point and looking at PES for the first time since 2006.

# 69 Gnemi @ 09/11/13 07:45 PM

I was also noticing that every time I took possession, my attacking players were being run down from behind. Against PSG, Ibrahimovic in particular was ferociously defending 100% of the time and dispossessing guys. It was very odd looking, kinda took me out of the game.

I've been watching that dude since his time at Ajax and he's never been a highly active deep lying defender! lol...

# 70 Gnemi @ 09/11/13 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnemi


	This year in particular seems bereft of power and physicality.

I have to retract that after reading The Mirror's write-up on the demo.

This year's offering most certainly has the most 50-50 ball realism yet. I was able to win headers with powerful defenders where I'd expect to win. Picking out headers, etc. seems radically better.

Anyway, gonna play a bunch more tonight and give proper thoughts once I've exorcised the "It's so different than FIFA '13!" overreaction.

# 71 infemous @ 09/11/13 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnemi


	I noticed velocity issues elsewhere, too. If a player has 90+ shot power, you wouldn't know it by watching them strike the ball in the game. Everything has a sort of...lofted trajectory for lack of a better description. This year in particular seems bereft of power and physicality. I still can't help but use the description that it looks like a bunch of old men with back spasms running around. I'm going to play more tonight and see how my impressions change. I'm in the "not buying on day one" camp at this point and looking at PES for the first time since 2006.

Completely! Nothing feels slick or fast. Fast players and more agile ones are just rubbery. Messi is no different from alba when in a physical battle with a defender, the outcome is the same: messi/alba have a spazzy animation where they fall away and lose possession.

The only player I've felt has some purpose to the way they move is Ibrahimovic, as it seems he has the size and ball skills to actually move around well. He's not overpowered so I can run through or around everyone but he feels the most natural and the most like I am in control of him when using him.

With this I still don't feel any shot has a bite or danger to it and am surprised when a shot goes in. It's all very tame and tailored to being able to respond to it.

The ball is still too tethered to the player and until a ball reacts independently from the player in possession or from the tackler, I think FIFA will continue to feel 'off'.

The old men with back spasms is definitely the best way to describe the stiffness of animations, and while there are some nice ones, they are few and far between. The stiffness is counteracted by a rubberiness which just makes the contrast between the two feel that much weirder.

I am downloading PES still and can't wait to see how that is.

# 72 Nox_Caelum @ 09/11/13 09:29 PM

Downloaded the demo's of both FIFA and PES(pes was unbearable and I couldn't finish the 1st game, I also don't see how that game can sell) but onto FIFA.
I've been playing 13 alot lately with a Man Utd Manager Mode so reading about how "different" it was going in, I was interested to say the least.
I started up the demo, professional difficulty(because, I suck at FIFA, but I enjoy it), favourite team Barcelona, etc.
First thing, the menu's are quick, responsive and very nice to use +1 on that.
Went into practice arena, it gave me Messi, I shot and(I'd heard/read alot on the new ball physics, and wow, colour me unimpressed) the ball felt like a mix between a 60's ball and a rock, I'd fill up the shot bar and Messi'd sky the ball, slowly.
Fire up a game, Barca-AC Milan, i noticed how much the opposing AI has improved at attacking(unfortunately to the extent where practically every team is almost flawless, but alas), had it not been for Puyol(and I'd gone with current line-up I'd have been slaughtered, still, I made it to 45 min, then 90 min too quick for my liking but at 0-0, penalties and I hadn't checked the screen size option and couldn't see the penalty bar, managed to only lose 2-3 on their 5th penalty, but I wasn't happy with how the game played, went into settings, changed the screen size and adjusted sliders, brought their sprint speed down to 48 and acceleration to 47 and, while not game-changing made it more fun, except for the lack of any time when attacking in their half and the lack of foul calls for you(against you though the ref has no trouble blowing the whistle), the re-match ended 1-1 and this time I won on penalties. Fired up a 3rd game BVB(me)-Spurs(ignoring that while Mkhitaryan, Paulinho, Neymar, Cavani and Aubameyang are on their right teams, Bale, Dempsey, Soldado, Assou Ekotto aren't) this game played no better and was still annoying, especially the refs, but I did thoroughly enjoy playing with Reus the only positive I could take from that match, which ended 0-0 and went to penalties, I think I won, to be honest I'm not too sure I cared, that's how little the game was appealing to me.
So I fired up another game, PSG(me)-Man City. It played slightly better, Ibrahimovic being noticeably one of the few players who actually seem to move somewhat realistically, but still shot's seem to be so slow in the air, like a really heavy slab of concrete thrown slowly through the air, back to the game, I conceded a penatly... because Cavani was for god knows what reason back defending and slightly nudged Yaya Toure which got City a penatly that Silva scored, I managed to keep them at bay from open play thanks in no small part to Blaise Matuidi who was a beast for me on the defensive end, i managed to get an equalizer with Lavezzi, I think, but the match ended 1-1 and went to penalties(notice a pattern?).
I've played about 10-15 games, I've switched between full manual, semi-assisted and assited controls but the game still feels... not enjoyable. Ultimately, the only player midly enjoyable to use attacking was Reus, and defending Matuidi and Puyol were lifesavers, I can't predict how the full game'll turn out or if the game's more enjoyable with longer halves(not 3min) and slightly more chances, but I feel if nothing else the way the ball is in the air needs a definite change. And on a final note: if EA aren't going to make it relaistic(I'm sorry this doesn't seem realistic to me, at all) I just wish they'd make it enjoyable. I've since deleted both FIFA and PES demos and gone back to FIFA13 manager mode, I just wish the EA servers weren't down for... "maintenance". Oh and if you enjoyed the demo, frankly, I wish I could as well, but I don't see how you can.

Spoiler

# 73 pk500 @ 09/11/13 10:04 PM

Here's one of my niggling, longtime beefs with the FIFA series that still hasn't been addressed in the FIFA 14 demo: The CPU almost never passes the ball in the air unless it's a cross from the wings deep in the offensive zone.

The CPU never attempts a lofted through ball or changes field with a long pass to the opposite wing in the defensive zone or midfield.

Unrealistic. Annoying.

# 74 Gnemi @ 09/12/13 12:01 AM

Okay, Day Two of having FIFA '14 Demo:

I just played three matches as Manchester City against the Red Bulls and here are my thoughts...

The animation that drives me nuts is the containment animation. I'm left nearly speechless by how stupid it looks. The players take on an almost chicken flapping its wings animation when they're attempting to contain. Of all the things EA could have tweaked in terms of player animations, containment wasn't one of them! If it ain't broke, ya know...

I made three very moderate tweaks to sliders and like every year of FIFA, sliders will likely be key to our enjoyment. 44 speed and 48 acceleration. I also changed Shot Speed to 52 and found that much more palatable.

In terms of gameplay, I do think this is a revolutionary FIFA and that means there is a lot to be happy about but we're unlikely to see the fruit of all EA's efforts for at least two more years and probably on the next generation machines where that horsepower can put the Ignite Engine into combination with the new physics and gameplay.

I can't quite put my finger on it without spending 500 words describing it, but the manner with which we score goals in FIFA '14 will be RADICALLY different than any other FIFA. That is clearly what has so many people excited about. If there's something we can trivialize to score goals, I'll be surprised. I think we'll have to earn every shot on goal with patience, appropriate passes within the appropriate context and with a bit of luck just like football.

I remain skeptical that EA's offering will be a direct hit this year, but I can't help but applaud the revolutionary effort.

Another thing: 1v1 jockeying for position / possession is pretty damned awesome. I feel like I can actually be rewarded for taking control of a player and moving into space. I'm also noticing that larger more physical players are appropriately dominant when encountering smaller players. E.g. I've kinda pushed people around with YaYa Toure.

On a MAJOR negative side, the New York Red Bulls play like Barcelona and Tim Cahill may as well be Santi Cazorla. Annoying. Very...damn...annoying.

# 75 woody2goody @ 09/12/13 07:41 AM

I'm very impressed by this demo.

The interface is very nice to look at and is MUCH faster and sharper.

The CPU isn't 100% psychic any more and it's more possible than ever to stop a team with good, aggressive defending.

The ball physics are tons better - this is a major step forward because it feels more unpredictable.

The biggest compliment I can pay this game is it feels very much like an older version of PES, and that is very good indeed.

I too have a small gripe that the lower-level teams seem a bit too intelligent and skilled at times, but hopefully sliders will sort that out.

In real life it's the intelligence and skill that sets a better team apart from an inferior one, so a bit of work is needed there.

In all, I wasn't going to buy a football game on PS3 because of the impending launch of PS4, but now I'm completely sold and I want this game quite badly!

# 76 Yeats @ 09/12/13 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk500


	The CPU almost never passes the ball in the air unless it's a cross from the wings deep in the offensive zone. The CPU never attempts a lofted through ball or changes field with a long pass to the opposite wing in the defensive zone or midfield. Unrealistic. Annoying.

This is strictly a player rating issue having to do with the way in which players' pass and cross ratings affect CPU ball movement behavior. After spending many hours editing and testing pass and cross ratings, I got things to a point where certain positions (RB and LB mostly) fired far too many opposite wing passes across the pitch in their own end. I had to tone it down actually.

EDIT: Sorry, I should have mentioned this is on PC, I don't know if people are able to easily globally edit player ratings on consoles (?).

# 77 laxman490 @ 09/12/13 08:32 AM

i only was able to play about 75% of one game last night, but the first thing i noticed was how much slower the game was. players felt like they had more momentum and they didnt just turn on a dime. it also seemed like the cpu had better build up play than previous versions (they actually back-passed!)

# 78 VTPack919 @ 09/12/13 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infemous


	Completely! Nothing feels slick or fast. Fast players and more agile ones are just rubbery. Messi is no different from alba when in a physical battle with a defender, the outcome is the same: messi/alba have a spazzy animation where they fall away and lose possession. The only player I've felt has some purpose to the way they move is Ibrahimovic, as it seems he has the size and ball skills to actually move around well. He's not overpowered so I can run through or around everyone but he feels the most natural and the most like I am in control of him when using him. With this I still don't feel any shot has a bite or danger to it and am surprised when a shot goes in. It's all very tame and tailored to being able to respond to it. The ball is still too tethered to the player and until a ball reacts independently from the player in possession or from the tackler, I think FIFA will continue to feel 'off'. The old men with back spasms is definitely the best way to describe the stiffness of animations, and while there are some nice ones, they are few and far between. The stiffness is counteracted by a rubberiness which just makes the contrast between the two feel that much weirder. I am downloading PES still and can't wait to see how that is.

You expect Messi to win a physical battle with a defender?

# 79 infemous @ 09/12/13 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTPack919


	You expect Messi to win a physical battle with a defender?

Part of what makes Messi great is his ability to maintain possession when being physically outmatched, as he often is.
It's more the lack of difference between messi and alba when in that situation that frustrates me, aswell as how the animation works out.

He should not just fall away, he should at least TRY to maintain possession.

# 80 orion523 @ 09/12/13 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infemous


	Part of what makes Messi great is his ability to maintain possession when being physically outmatched, as he often is. It's more the lack of difference between messi and alba when in that situation that frustrates me, aswell as how the animation works out. He should not just fall away, he should at least TRY to maintain possession.

Using the contextual dribbling and LT I was able to wiggle Messi free from three defenders who were bearing down on him before finally getting off a pass, he's easily the best player in the demo.
Although I'm admittedly still making bad mistakes, and a lot of them I'm finally starting to get it together. The game forces you to build up from the back, using your whole team, slowly, pass after pass. You can almost feel the momentum starting to build as you move closer to goal. Once in the final third(where most of my mistakes are made) it's a whole new ballgame. Gone are the days of slashing past the fullback into the area then shooting. You have to be much more crafty, quick passes, crosses are huge, especially when you have a squad like PSG with Ibra and Cavani. Getting off a shot actually feels like an accomplishment, just as it should.
Gone also, thankfully is the CPU's tendency to get upfield as quickly as possible then fire. They finally realize the value of possession, and will attempt to force you into mistakes by frustrating you. Play in the middle third of the pitch is also better than it's ever been, mainly because it's finally dangerous to make a risky pass, getting caught flat footed on a counter will result in concession, and the same holds true the other way, a key intercept in midfield finally results in dangerous breaks your way as well. All in all I'm more and more impressed with each game, and I applaud EA for finally, finally making a more tactical game.
Slider wise if anyone is interested I've been slowly building a bit of a base to start with come release. Right now I have this:

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

I didn't much mess with the speed due to the short games, still though it feels pretty good there.

« Previous 1 2 345 6 7 8 Next »

More Links

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