Five Changes Coming to FIFA 16

We got a chance to play Fifa 16 behind closed doors at this year’s gamescom. Aside from the improved graphics, updated teams and UI tweaks, here are five of the biggest changes that you can expect to see later this year.

Women's Teams

Perhaps the biggest and most poignant change to Fifa 16 this year is the introduction of the Women’s international teams. 2015 has been a huge year for the women’s game, with both the World Cup and FA Cup Final being televised in front of huge audiences. Through the introduction of women’s international teams comes the chance for a whole new fan-base to take to the FIFA platform and play as their newly found heroes. While they move and play just like their male counterparts - their performances captured in typical FIFA style - the devs at EA told me that the most difficult part was adding the physics of ponytails… and they look great! 

  

More Balanced AI

When an improvement is something vague like this it’s often hard to tell if you can feel the change or if it’s just you unknowingly accepting the PR talk. In fact, while playing Fifa 16, you can feel that your team is more of a team. They work harder, move more and generally aren’t a nuisance like they can be. Defenders are much sharper, if you’ve tracked a player and left a gap, the closest AI team-mate will step up and cover for you. Midfielders are now wiser and read the game more, intercepting passes or slowing down counter attacks; and forwards are incredibly dynamic, making off-ball runs into space and demanding the ball. Everything adds to the on pitch experience and make the team feel more unified.

 

Trainer Mode

If you’re not accustomed with the complex controls of the FIFA series, then this year EA have introduced a brand new in-game mode. Easily turned on or off within the pause menu, the trainer mode is an on-screen prompt which will surround the player-controlled character. Simple things like prompts to pass or tackle start you off, but as you become more familiar, the trainer introduces more complex commands, like low crosses, through balls or stepovers. Whatever your skill level, you're certain to learn something you perhaps wouldn’t have known without this mode.

  

Draft Mode

A new feature in FIFA’s iconic Ultimate Team mode allows for a smaller, more concise Ultimate Team experience. Testing your 1-11 team building skills, you have to pick a formation, captain, manager and starting 11 from the five options given to you. Then, online or in single player you play four matches and earn rewards (coins and/or FIFA points) for each one; with these you then edit your team as appropriate for the best possible team chemistry and repeat the cycle. It’s a quick and fun way to familiarise yourself with the Ultimate Teams mode without the headache of contracts and training, and allows you to play with some of the best players in the world from the get go.

Pass With Purpose

Of all the new features, this is perhaps one that has the most resonance with hardcore fans of the series. When it came to passing you had two options, a simple ground pass or a through ball. The pass with purpose option is something of a combination of the two. Pressing the R2/RT button while passing will initiate a quicker, more accurate ground pass, allowing for quick counter attacks or defensive clearances without the fear of losing possession.

 

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FIFA 16 will be available on on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC on 22nd September.