There are the FIFA fiends, like myself,
that will buy this game each year no matter what. This is because the
balance between good game-play and the official license with all the
up to date players and kits is usually acceptable enough to warrant
this annual upgrade. One main problem I have found over the years is
that the career mode has never been tweaked to perfection, it all
just seems a bit unrealistic (I know its just a game dammit!) when it
comes to the financial side of things, and the growth and development
of young players.
Notice they have brushed out Gareth Bale from the original artwork...
Another annoying part of career mode –
with the fictional youth players that you and other teams scout in
the game are all randomly generated which is fair enough. They are
given a random body and face, so why the fuck can't their face appear
on the player ratings screen like the IRL players do huh? Very
irritating. So what about the latest instalment? Slick. Slick is the
first thing that comes to mind, a new menu layout with large pictures
as the buttons making up each main menu screen, nice stats and
visuals when navigating the pause screen. The font they have used for
this game is perfect for a sporty interface.
The players are affected by bodyweight,
balance and momentum more in this game. The physics involved with
ball control and trying to protect the ball or dispossess another
player are a lot more realistic. Headers in this game also seem to be
more responsive to the direction you push on this stick, rather than
FIFA 13 making it incredibly frustrating to score a headed goal when
you are certain you have nailed it. I remember when the cross or
corner was a beauty and you pointed to the part of the net you wanted
to annihilate and it just goes begging, usually over the bar. It is
more realistic this time, I mean you cant just head in any old pass
or cross your player has to time it right and be balanced and facing
the right direction. When its all in place though it feels smooth and
natural to whack it in with your bonce.
The commentary is a bit more inspired
this time around. Talking about famous events and football history,
players back stories is all well and good but is it going to make you
want to punch a hole in the screen if you hear the Mancini and Man
City fans letters story for the millionth time? The fun and rewarding
training mini-games from FIFA 13 are back too, but all slightly
different this time. The same categories are all back (shooting,
dribbling, free kicks, penalties, crosses etc.) but each one is a new
challenge which gives the game another addictive element. Whoever
thought of putting these games randomly generating while your game is
loading is a freaking genius! The opportunity to fine tune your
skills while you wait is such a good idea.
Its a shame the release of this game
will be overshadowed by the gargantuan almighty release of Grand
Theft Auto V, because they have put in a real effort this year. Only
time will tell how the career mode and other game play modes will
turn out. It would be a bastard kick in the nuts if they made it look
so shiny and play so smoothly to go and spaff it all up the wall when
it comes to replay value. So an addict getting their fix, an
occasional football game participator, or a complete newbie may all get
something out of FIFA 14 if the demo is anything to go by.
No comments:
Post a Comment