FIFA 17 Review (Xbox One)
It’s always been the case that reviewing a sports game that comes out annually can be a difficult task. When compared to more traditional releases that often see drastic alteration to gameplay, each successor in a sports franchise often involves only gradual improvement with just a few subtle changes. EA has made the job of reviewing FIFA 17 slightly easier thanks to the fact they have transitioned to a new game engine and introduced a new mode that is the most significant addition since the inclusion of Ultimate Team.
Several year ago, EA decided that they were going to begin using the Frostbite engine, developed by DICE for the Battlefield series, as the basis for all of their games in the future. The latest FIFA entry has finally saw the series migrate over to the new engine as well. While you might expect this to have led to some rather significant changes in gameplay, the biggest improvements have all been made to the presentation.
The new engine has allowed the developers to drastically alter the graphics for the better. Character models are now much more realistic – even managers have seen a facelift and now have their own faces scanned into the game. Some definitely look more accurate than others, though. The lighting system also works like what you would expect from real life, while textures and depth of field effects have also been enhanced. Perhaps the biggest change that comes with the change of engine is in the sheer number of animations present. Player movement now flows in a way that it never has in a FIFA game previously, giving the individual footballers weight and a physical presence.
In terms of gameplay, the new physics haven’t led to a drastic change. FIFA 17 feels much the same game as FIFA 16 or 15. The biggest differences to how the game actually plays has come in set pieces. Corners, free kicks, and penalties have all seen modifications to how they work. With the first two, players now have access to a marker that essentially allows you to control more accurately where the ball will go and give you a better idea of how to attack the ball. Meanwhile, penalties have been opened up to give the user more choice in their placement off the ball and run-up .
A boost in the defensive capabilities and physicality of players also means that the player has more options available to them. As the AI is much better at defending their goal, it’s up to the player to come up with varied tactics and moves to help open up a defense. No longer can you simply pass the ball to a fast player and expect them to dominate with their pace. Center backs can easily shrug opponents off the ball with the strength they possess, forcing you to put more care into the buildup play.
Fortunately, an array of new passing and shooting abilities make this a little easier. There is the new threaded through ball that gives you the chance of finding the perfect pass through a crowded backline and shooting techniques that can help bamboozle the opposition. Even the goalkeeper has a new skill with a driven throw that can quickly start counter attacks. This all combines to create a more varied game, which doesn’t end up with every player using exactly the same technique or tactic to win.
Other than the change in engine, the next big change to the FIFA formula comes in the form of The Journey. All entries in the series have had a career mode. However, they usually center around managing a team to glory or creating your own unique player and shoving them into the game. The Journey is different as it puts you into the shoes of Alex Hunter as he gains a professional contract and goes through his first season as a footballer.
Performing on the pitch and on the training field will increase your chances of getting into the starting 11. Once in a match, the manager may even give you specific instructions, like making an assist or passing the ball a certain amount of times, giving you the chance to spice up play a little by experimenting with how you approach each game.
The influence of BioWare’s role-playing games can also be heavily felt in the form of conversations in press conferences and important scenes. You can choose your response and this will reflect the type of person Alex is but also how the fans or manager will react to you. The story itself is nothing too exciting, while the cutscenes might seem very cliché to anyone who is even remotely aware of the sport, but it is a step in the right direction and an interesting take on singleplayer in a sports title.
That’s not to say that FIFA 17 is perfect. There are still some niggling issues, a few of which have persisted through several iterations now. One of these is the problem of input lag – something that has been brought up by players in the last few instalments. However, in FIFA 17 it appears to be worse than ever before and may need a patch to fix. The incredible defensive AI also means you can effectively just let the computer take control after securing a lead and be no worse off against most opponents. It can also be frustratingly difficult to get the game to switch to the player you want, something that can lead to vital errors and some shouting at the TV.
Even when considering those pitfalls, FIFA 17 remains an excellent game that surpasses its most recent predecessors. The gameplay includes far more variety while the improvements made to the graphics and presentation are excellent. It is also clear that it is laying the groundwork for the future. The experience gained from moving to Frostbite and including a mode like The Journey will allow the developer to expand on these features in future instalments.
This review is based on a physical copy of the game provided by the publisher for review purposes. FIFA 17 is available worldwide on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.