Last year, many considered FIFA’s competition, "Pro Evolution Soccer," to have surpassed it in terms of gameplay. It’s clear EA recognized it had work to do - it made considerable improvements on the pitch for "FIFA 16" and added options for use at the player’s disposal. One of the new features is called “No Touch Dribbling.” By hitting and holding the left bumper, a player will detach from the ball to create space and opportunity to get creative. It’s especially useful with the highest-rated players, but it is a more advanced tactic to utilize and will take some time for novices to grasp.
Seeing those extra commands surround your player is a little off-putting at first, but used sparingly - maybe in a few friendlies before you really get stuck in - and it's a useful way to learn about some of the new aspects of the game. The problem with this slower pace and more deliberate build-up play is that FIFA 16 loses that little bit of magic along the way. More patience is required when you're not counter-attacking, and you're more likely to play keep-ball around the midfield - without as much intent. Sure, you're still capable of producing wonderful team goals and individual strikes, but the slower build-up play means that they're fewer and farther between. It's definitely more satisfying when you score a sublime team goal, but come up against a resolute defense and games lose some of their excitement.
But as is always FIFA’s strength, it packs in an incredible amount of content for you to play through once the novelty of the draft has run its course. Leagues and teams scattered as far and wide as Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia are included, as are 12 women's national teams, a first for the series. These are deployable across the all-encompassing career mode and various tournaments, not to mention online leagues, co-op seasons and 11 vs. 11 “Pro Club” matches. As FIFA errs ever more towards arcade thrills, PES delivers realism in spades.
Also, as good as the "FIFA" franchise is, I lament that there's no viable challenger to the throne beyond the "Football Manager" series, which focuses almost completely on the areas and nuances that "FIFA" couldn't possibly cover. While some features have seeped across from "FM" to EA Sports in manager mode -- it's now entirely possible to craft a formation and range of forensic in-game player roles so absurd that not even Marcelo Bielsa could imagine it -- there is a need for another contender in this space. The added energy would only inspire EA and others to evolve their games at a faster clip. Over the years, I've talked about EA's struggle to keep improving an already amazing sports game without cooking the proverbial golden goose.
To some extent, that still holds true. But when I look at FIFA 16, I see a lot of room for improvement. Career Mode, as much as I love it, needs more spice. It lacks the in-game social media elements of NBA 2K, which should be a given at this point, and even the fun of having a major signing being introduced via a press conference - something that PES has over FIFA. The accompanying player-only career mode is mostly fine, featuring an adequate goal and advancement system, but it lacks the complex feedback of NHL and the storytelling of NBA 2K, and as such comes off as rather generic. Both of them badly need more reasons to keep playing, even if it's something as simple as a trophy case that can be built up over time.
On the field, PES has shown that a slightly slower-paced approach that emphasizes controlled build-up can work very well, making the whole experience feel more authentic. I don't think FIFA should copy PES, but EA Canada would be wise to take a hard look at what Konami is doing with their soccer sim. The introduction of 12 women's international teams in FIFA 16 is a welcome one. Rather than feel like a throwaway addition, each team's lineup plays really well. It's a shame that the only way to use these teams is in exhibition or a limited international cup, and only against each other thanks to a bespoke attribute system. It'd be nice to see the introduction of club teams in the coming years.
