FIFA 16

If FIFA 16 can turn a hardcore fan of hockey into a newly minted fan of football, then you know the game has something special to offer gamers, regardless of their previous experience with the franchise.

With a refined gameplay that requires a more tactical approach to achieve success, fine tuning of numerous details, and deeper options for both online and offline play, FIFA 16 has proven yet again to be the quintessential title for fans of the beautiful game.

FIFA manages to improve itself without drastic changes, but introduces lots of subtle and important enhancements.

Where last year’s game sometimes felt like a non-stop shooting gallery with blazing ping-pong action across the entire field, this year’s game more closely follows the pace of a typical real-life match. And that's a good thing.

Lots of small improvements both on and off the pitch make this the best FIFA in years.

Overall, FIFA is clearly the most technically sound sports franchise in EA Sports’ pocket, which can result in a lack of risk taking. For now, no risks are needed, as FIFA 16 is a fantastic addition to a storied franchise.

This new installment of the FIFA series is excellent, and not just because it marks the debut of the female players. The gameplay feels even greater than last year's chapter, thanks to notable improvements to the AI. And the Draft Mode for FUT is simply top notch.

After the missteps of the previous installment, FIFA 16 delivers new modes, new game elements and great balancing between attacking and defending.

FIFA 16 has all of the intricacies that the hardcore players crave and require, but it feels quicker and a bit more arcade-y than before.

FIFA 16 is a beautiful game about the beautiful game. Driven by a need for authenticity, EA has created an unparalleled soccer simulation that improves upon FIFA 15 in every aspect. While the game’s elaborate controls and elite presentation still make it challenging for the uninitiated, steps have been taken to help welcome new players.

There are no absolute game changers in the gameplay, but there is just enough to make the gameplay more authentic than ever.

Sports video gaming is at its best when you're fighting your ass off and the miracle comes through. And when it does, no game rolls out the TNT like FIFA 16.

FIFA 16 is full of scrappy back and forth, the ability to play patient possession football, and a greater range of passing than ever.

FIFA soccer is still improving its formula. This year's version is stronger in almost every aspect - a better football game by far.

FIFA 16 stands as a high water mark for soccer games, and sports games as a genre.

It takes the fundamentals of FIFA 15 and solves its failures to offer a great football experience. The audiovisual presentation and the quantity of licenses are brilliant, though the franchise has lost the gap with Pro Evolution Soccer.

Little by little, EA Sports is building an outstanding football game, fun for casual players and incredibly deep for those who want to master it. Yes, changes are subtle this year, but all of them are for the best.

FIFA 16 isn't going to blow you away with any single feature. Instead, it falls back on its strong gameplay to provide a fresh experience.

FIFA 16 doesn’t reinvent the wheel and needs to refresh its visuals but still, the addition of female soccer players with its own physics on top of the adjustments made on the pitch and to the career modes, make it a better game without a doubt.

There's so much gameplay, between classic matches and FUT, that fans will be very happy with this year's chapter. There are also some interesting improvements in AI and physics, and some issues of old that seem really hard to fix.

FIFA 16 delivers another deeply satisfying game of soccer replete with beloved franchise staples such as Ultimate Team, Co-op Online Seasons, etc. The core game is largely the same. But key additions in the Women’s International Tournament and the new Ultimate Team Draft add depth to a game already full of immersive play options. With the addition of Ultimate Team Draft, EA could honestly put out Ultimate Team as a stand alone release.

FIFA 16 doesn’t reinvent football, but talks about football: CPU might be a little ‘too perfect’, and the goal keepers are far from perfect, but the game is a step forward in the right direction.

Finally a true "next gen" FIFA, that eliminates most of the problems of its predecessor and introduces some interesting changes to FIFA Ultimate Team. The gameplay is now extremely solid, the content is impressive (with even female players to complete the package), and the introduction of the FUT Draft is an intelligent way for everyone to try out the greatest players. A pity the player campaign and Pro Club weren't changed as much, but FIFA 16 is still the best soccer game around.

To say that FIFA 16 is a return to form may very well be one of the biggest understatements of the year. In one foul swoop, EA has re-established itself as the preeminent name in soccer simulations.

For those soccer lovers that are very passionate with their teams and gets it to a next level. Just like other years, EA Sports launch this new title of their loved soccer franchise, FIFA 16, a better game than the last ones and with great development for a next generation console.

FIFA 16 beats PES on license, general execution and net play, but loses on realism. [Oct 2015]

EA Sports have taken a fantastic game and tweaked it to make it just that little bit better. The passing mechanic feels slightly worse but in the end that is also forcing players to utilise the entire range of passing abilities so it is possible that this is by design. FIFA 16 is the best FIFA to date.

Not a massive step forward, but EA's evergreen series remains well ahead of the competition. [Nov 2015, p.74]

It’s still great, but next year we do hope EA concentrates on what’s in the game less, and more about what’s fun to play.

The things EA hasn't shouted about are the things that they've clearly worked the hardest on and while there are still flaws, this is the best on-pitch representation of the beautiful game since Konami's PlayStation 2 efforts.

Overall FIFA 16 feels more like a complete package compared to earlier installments in the series. New nifty changes to the gameplay and a few fresh concepts like women’s football makes it the best FIFA game so far.

A marked improvement over last year, but the absence of pace is sorely missed. FIFA 16 is not as good on the pitch as PES this year – again – but it’s a great football game regardless, with unrivalled off the pitch options.

FIFA focuses on fewer aspects, only adding a few new things and sticking with their already solid gameplay. Both make tough cases, and it is obvious this has been the closest race to date. As a whole, FIFA 16 plays well and fantastic visual cues.

New moves threaten to weigh down FIFA’s snappy pace and breezy playability, but while slightly slower and more methodical, 16 plays a deeper, more balanced game of football.

FIFA 16 provides a great football experience and though it's not perfect yet, it's a solid base for a full year of FUT and Season Online matches.

Better than FIFA 15, FIFA 16 delivers some big changes in terms of defense, freedom, pace and A.I. It needs some practice to fulfill its potential and appear truly pleasant, tense and realistic. There are still some issues, like the referee, that can irritate. It's not the perfect game but the whole package is so appealing that it's impossible to resist if you are a true football fan.

The complete package is as substantial as ever, and those who’ve acclimatised to FIFA’s play style in recent years will likely consider it good enough. But in the face of much stronger competition, ‘good enough’ might not actually be good enough.

Without a doubt, FIFA 16 provides countless hours of fun football. Any soccer fan will find tons to enjoy here. After all, this game is your mom’s mac and cheese. It’s familiar. It’s comfortable. And that’s the problem.

The improvements to FIFA 16 this year are notable in some areas but as a whole it’s starting to feel like the series is getting stagnant, with too much effort being put toward expanding revenue sources rather than delivering innovation that would appeal to a wider audience. Despite that, it's still the most reliable and consistent sports gaming franchise and that holds a lot of weight in the minds of consumers. With FIFA 16, you know you’re playing a really good game, but you might not completely believe it as much as in the past.

Overall, the core of a highly successful soccer game is in FIFA 16 but there's a niggling sense of "been there, done that," alongside a healthy dollop of "coulda shoulda woulda" that gets in the way. It's just a bit too safe and predictable. FIFA is still the Cup winner, but PES 2016 has made this annual Friendly a more heated affair.

FIFA has PES beaten when it comes to attention to presentational detail and atmosphere, but maybe that isn't enough anymore. For flowing football, though, you should look elsewhere. [Issue#130, p.71]

Beaten to the ball. A frustrating but undeniably well put together package.

Let's put it in football terms: PES = modern, continental manager. FIFA = Mike Bassett. Like Liverpool, FIFA has talent, but it could be a long road back to contention.