The FIFA video game series from EA Sports is the undisputed champion of the world. It has become the highest-selling annual franchise and rakes in hundreds of millions more in digital revenue with every release. It’s not just a financial success — it has been consistently among the best sports games in terms of quality and level of content.
Despite those figures, "FIFA 16" is a down year for the franchise. It’s difficult to reconcile that feeling with the game still being great in so many ways, but one big feature addition, FUT Draft, is a major disappointment and even borders on being sleazy in its implementation, and some new frustrations have emerged in the gameplay.
MORE 'FIFA 16': Player ratings | Soundtrack | Alex Morgan on cover
Last year, many considered FIFA’s competition, "Pro Evolution Soccer," to have surpassed it in terms of gameplay. It’s clear EA recognized it had work to do — it made considerable improvements on the pitch for "FIFA 16" and added options for use at the player’s disposal.
One of the new features is called “No Touch Dribbling.” By hitting and holding the left bumper, a player will detach from the ball to create space and opportunity to get creative. It’s especially useful with the highest-rated players, but it is a more advanced tactic to utilize and will take some time for novices to grasp.
Another is “Passing with Purpose.” In pressing the right bumper when passing, extra power will be placed on the ball. While that’s great for getting passes through tight spaces or when a window for an opportunity is quickly closing, it’s balanced out by the first touch the player receiving the ball gets, which won’t be nearly as clean.
In the past, one of the most frustrating aspects of FIFA’s gameplay has been the lack of aggressiveness to a loose ball or in playing passing lanes from CPU-controlled teammates or opponents. That has been addressed this year, but seems to only affect one side, which has created a whole new reason for frustration.
Today's top headlines
Players on defense will actively go after the ball. They’ll jump right into the passing lanes, making it tougher than ever to keep possession, especially in the midfield. Initially, that was fantastic to see. The problem quickly became apparent when players whose team has possession will just stand around and watch, and allow the defenders to get to the ball without making an effort of their own. Passing also seems to randomly go haywire, with an unusual amount of power (for how long the button was held) being placed on balls that are sent beyond their intended targets, who let them go right by.
FIFA still does the emotion of the sport better than any other game, and some new presentation elements this year make it even better. Crowds are fantastic and represent their unique personalities, a new authentic presentation package has been added for the German Bundesliga, there are new types of weather and new player celebrations, and even the vanishing spray makes an appearance, which, for whatever reason, is delightful to see. FIFA remains an exhilarating game to play whether the moments are of joy, relief, or torment.
MORE: Where does the FIFA franchise rank in best games?
Twelve women’s national teams make their debut in "FIFA 16." They’re represented well and have been treated respectfully, though they feel somewhat tacked on rather than being completely embraced within the game. There’s a tournament mode to be played between them, and they can be played against each other offline and online, but that’s it. None of the players will appear in Ultimate Team, there’s no option to play through a career as a female, and the 12 teams represent only half of the Women’s World Cup field.
The other heavily promoted feature addition this year is FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) Draft. Unlike the similar in concept Draft Champions in "Madden NFL 16" — which was received extremely well as an Ultimate Team alternative — FUT Draft is an extension of Ultimate Team. It’s buried within Ultimate Team, uses parts of the teams that have been built there (such as the kits that have been acquired), and the rewards all go toward Ultimate Team.
The key difference between the two is that FUT Draft is pay-to-play. There is an entry fee of 15,000 Coins or 300 FIFA Points. Coins are earned through playing FIFA naturally, but that’s still an opportunity cost to participate, while the “points” are purchased through the marketplace. For all intents and purposes, each cycle with FUT Draft costs the equivalent of $2.67, and that’ll only get you one match with the drafted team should you lose the first before having to start all over again.
For people already spending money in Ultimate Team, that isn’t going to matter. The rewards make the cost of entry worth it. But it eliminates what could have been an intriguing way for others to play the game. Draft Champions in Madden has been found to have widespread appeal. FUT Draft is not going to reach consumers in that same way, and as someone who doesn’t care for Ultimate Team it’s almost insulting to see a feature promoted in the manner it has been only to discover it’s not meant for anyone but the heavily invested and dedicated Ultimate Team player.
Still, there are other excellent modes in FIFA, from the Career Mode as a manager or an individual player, to the best-in-class online which includes Pro Clubs, Online Seasons and Online Friendlies. Unfortunately, another year has gone by without an online element being introduced to the game’s Career mode so multiple people could participate in one together.
As is the case with any consumer product that reaches the top of the mountain, there may not be anywhere to go but down as new challenges present themselves. The improvements to "FIFA 16" this year are notable in some areas but as a whole it’s starting to feel like the series is getting stagnant, with too much effort being put toward expanding revenue sources rather than delivering innovation that would appeal to a wider audience. Despite that, it's still the most reliable and consistent sports gaming franchise and that holds a lot of weight in the minds of consumers. With "FIFA 16," you know you’re playing a really good game, but you might not completely believe it as much as in the past.
FIFA 16 was reviewed on Xbox One and is also available on PS4.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.