EA has added several small enhancements to FIFA 15

EA has added several small enhancements to FIFA 15 that improves the look and feel of the game, but some minor annoyances still linger. EA has worked in player emotions, as they react to actual happenings on the pitch. For example, players congratulate their goalie on an epic save, and those who were on the wrong end of a bad tackle will react confrontationally to the opposing tackler.

As usual the visuals are also taking another step up, the most impressive aspect being the pitch itself. It now cuts up and leaves footprints and other marks as the game progresses, leading to a totally different look at the end of 90 minutes. It may not seem like much, but it makes a huge difference in terms of presentation. Player's kits will also pick up mud marks if they slide across a wet pitch, hair has been simulated much better this time around, sponsor boards have realistic animations, corner flags can now be moved instead of being walked through while posts will vibrate when the ball makes contact.

The change also bleeds into the evergreen Ultimate Team mode, where scraping a squad together is an accessible process. The component itself is still as addictive as ever, but the aforementioned gameplay alterations do mean that you'll encounter countless teams that are built to abuse fast, direct centre forwards and strikers. That said, we suppose having to deal with the ups and downs of online play is an expected aspect of FIFA these days, particularly when it comes to the still rampant overuse of aerial through balls, although thankfully, the improved 'keepers are a lot more comfortable with dashing off their line and closing down attackers this time around.



We know, Ultimate Team is now the cornerstone of not just the game, but EA's business surrounding the game. So it's top priority. But I wish elements like Be A Pro and Manager mode were given a similar level of attention. They haven't seen any real changes in years, and while series like NBA2K forge unique sports game experiences - turning them into a commercialised RPG - FIFA lags well behind for those who game mostly on their own.

Managing your team during a game has become a lot easier by adjusting your team’s strategy with just a button. You can call for a variety of different play schemes right on the fly without working through any excess menus. Career mode is still my favorite FIFA time-waster. My preferred way of playing FIFA 15 has been by playing as myself in career mode. If you’re unfamiliar with how Career Mode works, you pretty much play through the career of a budding footballer until his retirement. Even though I really welcomed the changes that came to this iteration, I did wonder what it would be like if the game shifted focus to a defense-minded approach. The updates to the goalkeepers is a great start, as it feels more in service of making your goals look great in replays.

Yet while all these improvements are all very well, most players will find themselves quickly skipping the opening scenes when the teams come out and rushing through the goal celebrations (unless they wish to gloat). What really matters is the gameplay. All of this translates to gameplay. Angry players are less cautious, more reckless. High-spirited players, more in the zone. That’s the pitch, anyway. The promise of new hardware and a game engine designed to utilize the more capable processors. Our brief hands-on time isn’t enough to highlight how more emotional players foster something closer to a real-life experience, but it’s something to watch for later this year.

All 20 Stadiums
Every stadium in the Barclays Premier League is in the game and looks, feels, and sounds just as it does in real life, including authentic representation of animated LEDs and advertising boards.

Broadcast Graphics
Broadcast quality overlay graphics that are synonymous with the international TV broadcasts will communicate to fans all the important game information: team sheets, formations, score and clock, next fixture, player stats, and more.

Audio and Commentary
The ambience and cheers of over 20 Barclays Premier League matches were recorded and implemented into FIFA 15 to bring realistic audio to goals, misses, whistles, and crowd-specific chants. The Barclays Premier League Anthem will also play at the start of each League match up.