Name: FIFA 17
Release date: 27,September
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: EA Sports
Platform: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Reviewed on: PS4
This years FIFA is quite different from the others, there are two big main changes to FIFA 17.
The use of Frostbite engine known from the Battlefield series, and a story lead campaign called “The Journey”.
At first I was a little sceptic to a story based campaign in a Football game, but it turned out to be very good. And just to keep in mind, I’m not a very big fan of the FIFA series as the games are more or less just the same gameplay experience. But I got a little experience with every single FIFA game, as it is a very good game to play with friends at home on the same screen.
STORY
As said FIFA 17 does include a story mode, first I was thinking this would be kinda clichê like the Goal! movies. But “The Journey” is quite good for a story based campaign in FIFA, as they got help from the Bioware team to make the story.
Not to spoil to much, but I figured you’re an FIFA fan as you bother to read my review on it. At the beginning you start to play as a little boy called Alex Hunter, and as the years go by we get a vital trial that could change his life for ever.
The story itself includes clichê characters, as the all working dad, caring mother, sleeky agent and friendly grand dad. Even though the characters and the story is very basic, does the cut-scenes, voice acting and more work pretty good together.
But not everything in The Journey is perfect, as you play you will counter situations where you have to choose what Alex Hunter will say (like in Skyrim, Mass Effect and so on) and this is then again suppose to have an impact in future situations as play time on the field with your team and so on. Same goes with on how you perform on the field and in training. But sadly I couldn’t see much difference in the choices I’ve made.
GAMEPLAY
As the Frostbite engine is introduced to the FIFA series, you would think the gameplay experience would be different or even better on the field. But no, the gameplay experience stands the same as last year’s FIFA 16.
FIFA 17 isn’t much different from FIFA 16 in gameplay experience, it’s slow paced, defensive focus and complicated button combinations. Everything from where you want to place the ball, directions, how hard you should shoot and so on, everything you have to for yourself. In comparison with PES 17 where the game naturally thinks on what you would do. Like shooting the ball to the corner, in FIFA you need to think on how hard you should shoot and aim, and off course hope for the best. But on the other hand, if that ball goes as I want it to, that feeling I was sitting with scoring a goal againt my friend. That feeling is pure joy and excitement. It is quite the same as FIFA 16, but in FIFA 17 the players are more “physically”. And by that I mean the game is more realistic than before. That is something to get used to, as for myself need to stop falling over the ball or get knocked down by the referee.
Online play is one of the strongest points in FIFA, and FIFA 17 does deliver this. As for me had much more fun playing in the pretty addictive Ultimate Team mode. In FUT (FIFA Ultimate Team) you build up your own team by opening packages, there you get suits, players and more. And from there you have to set up your team in formations, does the chemistry between players look good and so on. There was a lot of things to think of before heading to an online match against another player.
GRAPHICS
The Frostbite engine didn’t have much impact on the gameplay experience, but it does have impact on the graphics. Players look better, and the football stadiums look amazing, especially in night time. Animations, cutscenes, facial expressions and more look beautiful with the Frostbite engine. There are still some minor bugs, but not vital ones yet for those I encounter on.
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THE VERDICT
FIFA 17 is a very strong and surprisingly quite different from the other FIFA games out there. With the entry of the Frostbite engine, could this be the groundwork for future FIFA games. Graphics look amazing, but gameplay is something to get used to as it is a little complicated controls.
Story mode is much more fun to play if you just play as Alex Hunter and not the whole team, like you do in “Be a Pro” mode.
8/10
+ The Journey
+ Graphics
+ Ultimate Team
– No big changes in gameplay experience
– Minor bugs
– A little frustrating controls
