The defensive AI still suffers from moments of madness, where you’ll see a defender stop moving, or turn and run in the wrong direction, but for the most part it performs pretty solidly. If the opposition manages to generate space, it will take a shot from the 20-25 yard mark, whereas in previous FIFA’s this wasn’t a regular occurrence. The AI’s movement in creating space to take a shot, or create a chance has improved drastically from FIFA 15. FIFA 16 hasn’t completely abolished the possibility of being able to score a ‘Maradona’, it’s just now a little trickier.

That’s not to say it’s not possible to score the occasional wonder goal with players who can dribble past 3-4 men and as football fans will testify, world class players can do that in real life.

Finding space, and closing down are two fundamentals of midfield play, and EA has implemented the need for these strategies in the game.ĮA have tried to make it harder for those inclined to play the ball to a Messi or Ronaldo, and just run at pace through the midfield. Keeping the ball is vital in achieving success, and when losing the ball, you have to work your team hard in order to retrieve it. Each match feels slower than previous FIFA’s, with a lot more emphasis on the midfield, and possession play. This year’s instalment of FIFA has undergone noticeable changes in its gameplay, almost to the degree of feeling brand new. So, does this year’s FIFA hit the back of the net, or is it doomed for relegation? It’s no use being attractive to look at if the mechanics don’t justify what it should feel like to play a game of football. What really matters though is how the beautiful game is implemented in the gameplay. With graphically unrivalled realism and authenticity, EA has an abundance of licences and image rights that seem to increase, and improve every year. We all know what we are going to get with a FIFA title before we have played it.

Alan smith commentator fifa 16