- Manufacturer: EA Canada
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Genre: Football simulation
- Release Date: 27/9/16
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
- Game Supplied by: EA/Xbox
Pioneering, Authentic, Licensed, Immersive, some of the words that spring to mind with FIFA over the years. But since the introduction of FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) I don’t really see that much has changed, sure each year the graphics are a little better, some of the annoying gameplay bugs are addressed but one way or another there is always a 95% sweet spot or method you will score with.
I’ll be assuming you have played FIFA because well let’s be frank you either love or hate football and this one is full of love.
All your regular modes are there, single player, quick match, career, pro clubs, FUT and all your regular settings but for the first time in many years we have a new mode called “The Journey”.
Some might call it a true career some might call it a story career, but no matter what you call it, it leaves you wanting more. The concept is simple take control of young Alex Hunter and create a legend of the game. Make decisions as to who you play for, what comments you make to the press, and the path you take as you grow into a footballing great.
Opt for a fiery hot-headed young kid with attitude, a balanced head that might not stand out or a cool operator that essentially is a manager’s pet but no matter what your choice your path will change and adapt over the career.
I really enjoyed the variety in the game, positions, and the twists and turns the story mode offers you.
It’s quite a deep story, perhaps a little predictable at times but so as not to spoil it for you I will just say, this is the best career mode in FIFA history and that’s without talking about the new Frostbite engine for FIFA 17.
Previously seen in games like Battlefield the realism offered with this game engine is simply stunning and at times can have you forgetting it’s a game but perhaps this is just due to it being the first FIFA released with Frostbite running it, I found in parts yes stunning realism cannot be denied but in other parts, and even scenes it’s like a blurry old ignite engine.
Each stadium, player and for the first time Manager in general looks amazing, and be it the story or the online modes you will be left amazed at the beauty of FIFA 17.
HOWEVER all this is wonderful but graphics and career have never been the issue with FIFA players in the past and after the first few weeks will be a distant memory, it’s all about the gameplay, AI interaction with you and reaction to the opposition online. Is it still too easy to score from 30+ yards out, is that sweet spot still there, are headers more balanced and most importantly as most of us play up front can the defenders defend?
In short NO, we still have the same old bugs or exploits so to speak that will no doubt be the ultimate frustration online but some parts of the gameplay and touches are better and much more realistic. I have felt for some time the first touches and flicks were just too easy and now you can see the movement of the payer better and see why they didn’t do what you thought they might do. Passing has a more authentic feel to it, shooting and headers on goal are again better and it almost feels like more realistic % of shots to goal ratio have crept in under the radar.
SUMMARY
The Journey is great fun if not a little short, next year I expect we will see a huge expansion on this and can’t wait to see if we do, visually overall it’s another great improvement and in the gameplay department it’s good and more refined but some old traits and issues are still way too common. Had you fixed those issues EA this would be a 10.
Does this mean a switch over to PES that I reviewed a couple of weeks ago? Initially I thought this might have been the year it happened but then…. The Journey dragged me back and rekindled my yearly football franchise choice game. FIFA 17
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!