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- 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
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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.
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[su_spoiler title=”Frostbite” style=”fancy”]
One of the industry’s leading game engines, Frostbite delivers authentic, true-to-life action, takes players to new football worlds, and introduces fans to characters full of depth and emotion. To see the full debut of FIFA 17 powered by Frostbite, fans can watch the EA PLAY livestream at 9:00pm BST on http://ea.com/play2016.
“Frostbite unlocks a whole new world of possibilities for the FIFA franchise and its fans,” said David Rutter, VP and Executive Producer. “We have never been as excited as we are today about the future of football and the experiences we are going to deliver inFIFA 17.”
FIFA 17 also introduced four new football ambassadors who have influenced complete innovation in the action on the pitch. James Rodriguez of Real Madrid C.F., Anthony Martial of Manchester United, Eden Hazard of Chelsea FC, and Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund are four world-class attacking footballers who are capable of changing any game. They all worked with EA SPORTS to bring to life the gameplay innovation which will be revealed at EA Play. The ambassadors also appear in the FIFA 17 pre-order offer as loan players in FIFA 17 Ultimate Team™.
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[su_spoiler title=”The Journey” style=”fancy”]
An all-new game mode powered by Frostbite™*. Immersed in The Journey, fans will live their story on and off the pitch as Premier League prospect, Alex Hunter who is looking to make his mark. Fans will visit new football worlds, meet new characters full of depth, and navigate emotional highs and lows of their unique story arc through decisions off the pitch, their performance on it, and character interactions throughout the 2016/17 season while playing for any of the 20 Premier League clubs. From a paternal lineage of pro footballers, Alex Hunter starts building his personal legacy in FIFA 17 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC when it launches on September 27 in North America and September 29 worldwide.
Watch The Journey trailer here
Learn more about The Journey and Alex Hunter here.
“We’re embracing the power of the Frostbite engine to bring a new immersive experience to the franchise and give fans the chance to live their football story through the life of a professional footballer,” said Nick Channon, Senior Producer. “The Journey delivers that with authenticity, character interactions, and your performance on the pitch which will dictate your story.”
Complete innovation in gameplay transforms the way players think and move, physically interact with opponents, and execute in attack, putting fans in control of every moment on the pitch. Thousands of new animations and a focus on technology enableFIFA 17 to deliver true-to-life action, balanced gameplay, and excitement in attack. Four pillars of gameplay combine to put complete control in fans’ hands by introducing new game mechanics.
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[su_spoiler title=”Mechanics” style=”fancy”]
Set Piece Rewrite – New penalties, free kicks, corners, and throw-ins bring creativity and variety in every dead ball situation.
Physical Play Overhaul – U.S. Patent-Pending Pushback Technology changes the way players physically interact in every situation and introduces a new shielding system that gives fans more control when in possession or battling to win the ball.
Active Intelligence System – A brand new intelligence system gives players the ability to better define and classify space to make smarter decisions off the ball. Players will utilize several New Run Types like fake, direct, and stunted runs to stay even more active off the ball.
New Attacking Techniques – New options in attack give fans more ways to create chances and finish in front of goal. Send teammates in with a Threaded Through Passand put exciting goals away with a Driven Finish or Downward Header.
Watch the Own Every Moment gameplay trailer here.
Learn more about FIFA 17 gameplay features here.
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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
