FIFA 15 Review: Latest Version of EA Sports Franchise is Solid, Not Groundbreaking

By Douglas Smith @DFresh39 on September 23, 2014

The franchise with the biggest sports video game of all time released its newest version, FIFA 15, on Tuesday. EA Sports promised innovation and it has delivered in some areas. The hopes of selling 11 million copies by March are still intact after the release with some key areas getting quality upgrades. However, there are some issues on Day 1 that show a pattern of deficiencies. They are not enough to drive the players away as the game is still fun to play and solid altogether.

The game has sold enough over the years that it still prompts midnight releases in obscure areas of the country. This year the emphasis of innovation circled around new goalkeeping dynamics, all 20 Premier League stadiums, more realism of the way the ball rolls and more nuance in general.

There is a noticeable difference in the skill of the goalkeepers, and game play presentation is very stunning on the next generation console. It is obvious that the emotions on the players’ faces and the cut scenes were an emphasis for the developers. One of the most exciting and frustrating aspects of the presentation is the addition of disallowed goals as offside calls can be delayed, rather than called at the instant the ball is touched.

Part of FIFA 15′s beauty is that some players have to re-learn the game. Do you balance ball possession and dribbling or do you decide to go for a quick strike? Dribbling is less clumsy. FIFA 15 gives a slight edge to those who can stay on the ball, but strength in jostling near the goal can turn a good through ball into a goal. The skill moves have changed and players can now try to execute the flying sole of the shoe back kick goal. The look of the players is more refined, although some players like Sven Bender seem to tower over their opponents.

The additions to the popular Ultimate Team feature will be enough to keep some players satisfied. Loan players are available to see how they will fit into your team. Arjen Robben was a choice for the author as he started the campaign. There are concept squads to help with planning. EA Sports has even taken steps to bring an inflated transfer market back to earth. Players who have sunk hundreds of hours into Ultimate Team will have no reason to stop now.

Of course, there are some areas where FIFA 15 falls short. Despite the keepers having better animation, they tend to look silly in goalmouth scrambles. There is still the occasional collision that results in a Looney Tunes-like collapse. If the opponent gets the ball into the center of the field on a counter, there is a good chance you will be wondering where your central midfielders are on the pitch. This is especially true in the single-player experience in Ultimate Team. Of course, it also means that the field is open, which entices the human player to go route one. There have been plenty of 11-0 matches in Ultimate Team already.

A high press also makes the AI opponent retreat and sometimes clear a ball out of bounds after running back toward their own goal. They tend to try to dribble out of pressure, rather than clear the ball. This is an hysterical panic that pops up far too frequently. It is a sign of general stagnation in the single player mode across all the game modes available.

The problem here is that while solid, FIFA 15 does not extend the gap between it and Pro Evolution Soccer, which releases its demo tomorrow. EA Sports does look at all facets of game play and it is one of the most complete franchises in sports video games. There are tangible improvements and frustrating deficiencies. It will not keep people away and they will reach selling milestones, but the pressure could be on for the developers of the next version.

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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