At the cusp of simulation and reality
Realism at it’s finest
Electronic Arts are pushing FIFA 15 to make it as close to reality as possible. To accomplish this, EA’s added many improvements that affect gameplay.
The new emotion engine lets players react more realistically to performance on the field, whether they succeed in a great pass, or fail to score a goal. Featuring over 600 animations that cover the scope of emotions that you can see during a live game, including anger or protests, FIFA 15 wants you to believe you’re in an actual game.
AI has also been improved with CPU teammates reacting better to game situations, with opponents reacting tactically on the field.
FIFA 15 includes tools for training and the ability to modify tactics, while strategies have been simplified to make them easier to use. A new function is the ability to give customized tactics to each player on the field. An example: giving a midfielder field-wide freedom while putting pressure on the opponent carrying the ball.
During matches, there are two new balance modes: one for sprinting, and the other for a pure offensive strategy (best used if you’re losing). The modes can be used during games and add to the existing five: ultra-defense, defense, balanced, offense, and ultra-offense.
Ultimate Team also brings interesting new features. You can create Concept Squads, get players on loan and play in Friendly Season mode, and compete against your friends with your Ultimate Team in 1v1 matches.
With the new Match Day Live hub, you can follow news and results for your team.
In short, FIFA 15 has become a place to play and follow virtual and real-life soccer respectively.
Improved gameplay
There is more precision when dribbling the ball, and now, you have better control of ball trajectory.
With the improvement to physics, ball control looks more fluid and realistic.
One-on-one during defense is more intense, with more strategy required to steal the ball away. If you get beaten, you can attempt to block a run, but fouls can quickly add up.
Goalkeepers also have new AI so that they can react more realistically to shots on goal. This, combined with added animations, makes watching shots on goal even more thrilling.
Finally, there’s also a bit of good news for those who like to play single player: the game will test your ability to play against the AI and calibrate the degree of difficulty based on your skill. The difficulty, however, is always modifiable via the settings.
Enjoy the visuals
The new graphics engine adds a much needed upgrade to the visuals of FIFA 14.
The field now gets degraded as the match continues, and player models show grass and dirt stains as the final minutes approach.
Spectators are more involved, adding that needed layer of realism. There are also new sound effects like the ball hitting the pole.
FIFA 15 now also features advertisements on the sidelines, as well as cameramen and ball boys. The in-game cut-scenes for penalty shot setup are excellent, and replays finally match the quality that you’ll see when watching a real game.
Exciting and close to perfection
FIFA 15 demonstrates all of the most innovate improvements to the FIFA series.
The new ball physics are one of the best features of FIFA 15, adding a new layer of finesse to the strategy of the game. The new engine that fuels the graphics and animations is impressive and further adds to the realism of the game.
The stadiums are reproduced definitively, with an attention to detail never before seen in any soccer game. On the field, responsiveness is surprising when compared to that of FIFA 14. The feeling of being able to do what you really want is unmatched.
Improvements to Ultimate Team provide greater depth to this game mode, and you can even manage your Ultimate Team on mobile with the official EA SPORTS FIFA 15 Companion app, available for Android and iPhone.
Ultimately, FIFA 15 is the best football game we’ve seen yet. The big jump in quality from the previous version is remarkable, both in terms of graphics and gameplay. Undoubtedly, it’s a real must-have for any football fan.
As one of the most popular EA franchises, FIFA 15 has steered towards gameplay that hopes to make it the best soccer simulator on the market.
FIFA 15 has a new engine, improved animations, and better ball handling physics, adding more tactics and strategies to use during intense matches, and an improved Ultimate Team.
