EA Sports released their 16th installment of FIFA and the title is taking the world by storm. FIFA 14 is out and remains the most popular soccer gaming platform in the market. The Minaret is here with an in-depth analysis of what the game has to offer and whether or not you should follow through with the $60 purchase.
The game pulled out all the stops in terms of content and features accurate and updated rosters after one of the busiest transfer seasons in history. FIFA 14 features the top leagues in the world such as La Liga, Bundesliga, and Premier League as well as new inclusions of Serie A of Brazil and the Polish national team. You can possess nearly any team you wish in the entire world and sport your favorite kits with ease.
The most appealing component of the game remains in its game play, which got a complete overhaul compared to previous generations. Players can no longer pace-abuse opponents with quick through balls and its much more difficult to formulate attacks. I found myself frustrated at the new mechanics but with a few alterations to the settings and more reliance on my own actions rather than the aided options I quickly got the hang of it after a few hours. The field has been slightly shrunk and the game play has become slower and more methodical. It takes much more strategy to compete as more emphasis has been placed on possession and passing. Crosses, corners, and free-kicks are much easier to execute which correlates to the real-world values of set pieces which seemed toned down in the past. Shielding and skill moves are much more effective in the game than in the past and holding the ball longer led to more goal scoring opportunities than the overpowered counter-attacks from last year.
The AI has also increased substantially in intelligence as computer controlled players will make smarter runs off the ball and catch opponents offsides more often. All-in-all, the gameplay is much more realistic to the beautiful game itself now, but not too realistic to the point of boredom as the game offers players much excitement through more rewarding play. I often found myself cheering for a corner or yelling at the referee for giving the other team a free kick. Before you complain about the difference in the mechanics, just sit down and put some serious effort and work into your game.
Many of the classic game modes returned, such as Career Mode and Head to Head seasons, including a new co-op mode. Along with them are unranked head to head matches, which have been brought back from FIFA 12, and Pro clubs which have been fixed up to appeal to gamers of all kinds who wish to form a squad with their friends.
The most exciting game mode is till the widely popular Ultimate Team. Ultimate Team allows players to start an award winning club from scratch and I was quickly drawn in and found myself playing for hours on end trying to perfect my squad. More emphasis has been placed on chemistry and I focused more on finding a player to fit into my club’s theme (half-Korean and half- Bundesliga) than finding skilled players. The introduction of chemistry styles allows gamers to form their players into different role players such as poachers and maestros, which places a larger focus on gamers trying to get a personalized style on the game.
Besides the skill games, which were seemed to be designed by Satan himself, the appeal of FIFA 14 to casual gamers remains high due to top-class entertainment and aesthetic values. The menu got a complete overhaul and resembles a Windows laptop than a video and the main menu will constantly fill with your most recent game modes. The music is as exotic and exciting as ever with over 36 songs from over 30 countries which gave a global feel and I found myself with many indie sports songs stuck in my head after playings.
FIFA 14 has given gamers a perfect compromise between realistic mechanics and engaging gameplay. With a lot of effort it is more than possible to compete with the best of them. FIFA 14 has put the power back in the hands of the players and, while they made many changes, all of the adjustments have made the game better as a whole. I have no regrets in the $60 investment, and neither will you.
Marcus Mitchell can be reached at mitchell.marcus31@yahoo.com.