Gaming review: Fifa 17

This year FIFA 17 has not only improved but it's possibly the best addition to the franchise since FIFA 98, running on the frostbite engine makes it visually head and shoulders above any previous entry and then there is it's new flagship mode titled - The Journey. Trust me when I say, this is one you are going to want to take.

Fifa's new story mode, is possibly the best addition to the series in many years of the popular soccer sim. EA Sports has produced its very own story concept and despite the cliche appearance, it's satisfying, addictive and so much fun. Players will take control of a young prospect that goes by the name of, Alex Hunter, who you will lead from rising star to a highly rated International sensation. The game takes the dream of becoming a professional footballer and throws you in to the fantasy head first, to the point where I almost believed that I could be the next Alex Hunter. As you take the journey through the Premier League you get lost within the story that captures your imagination and at times it's a breathtaking experience. The question remains, does it compete with NBA 2K and their impressive Story modes?

I found myself fully immersed in The Journey from the get-go. After getting myself acquainted with the pitch and the new gameplay mechanics, especially the impressive Active Intelligence System (More on that shortly), I threw everything and the kitchen sink in to this new game mode. Maybe the most compelling feature of The Journey is the decisions you choose to make both on and off the pitch. Each answer and response to every interactive question will have an affect on the outcome of your players personality.

Now, how does it play? FIFA 17 has had some nice innovations added in to this years gameplay mechanics, before I share them with you, let's get one thing straight - this year's addition of PES really does outperform FIFA when it comes to the exhilarating realism of moving the ball around the pitch and building up play to essentially feel well rewarded by beating the impressive goalkeeper mechanics and hitting the back of the net. However, that's not really what FIFA is attempting to produce here. FIFA is aiming for that fun factor, where playing a match of virtual football is flashy, intriguing and full of energy. The moments where a through ball cuts a midfield in two only to find yourself one-on-on with the keeper, it's the moments where we can find ourselves in a great position to put a devastating cross in to the box only to find you have two defenders doubling up against your player, but wait - one little trick and I have left them both questioning their career choice. This might not necessarily happen too often in real life, but it does make for a terrifically fun experience with a controller in hand, FIFA isn't trying to be realistic, it's about being fun, frantic, fast-paced and feeling your heart pounding as you miss a last minute shot from 10 yards to win the league.

The game plays at a much faster pace than last years frustrating measured middle of the park approach, the decision to slow everything down in FIFA 16 has now been welcomely reversed, this means pace, precision and lot's of through balls. This means rapid and nimble players such as Hector Bellerin, Jonathan Biabany or Gareth Bale are once again a pest for any defender, leaving the less agile in a trail of turf given half the chance. This invites a game full of forward runs and plenty of hopeful through balls, which despite the more swift moving players being capable of outrunning most defenders, the Active Intelligence System still ensures you have to put in some work to carve out an opening that will allow you to have any chance of getting a shot on target. This creates a more physical approach, with big burly defenders putting more emphasis on knocking the smaller players off the ball.

That same physicality can give you a slightly different option further up the field too, with target men such as Olivier Giroud or Robert Lewondowski muscling their way in to the box or holding the ball up as they wait for support to arrive. Pressing the left trigger when you're in possession and with your back to goal shields the ball away from your opponent, similar to FIFA 16, but physical attributes are more prominent this time around and encounters are a lot more aggressive. Attempting to take aerial balls down on to your chest and then to feet as you wait for an overlap is as impressive as it sounds, the feeling each time I pulled this off was nothing short of pure delight.

What is impressive, is that your teammate AI won't be scared to get forward, they move with a more domineering attitude in FIFA 17, especially when on the attack, looking to create space and getting in behind the defence to create a chance on goal, it's mesmerising to witness at times. This gives you more play options than ever before, it doesn't quite have the same flair as what Pro Evolution Soccer 2017's AI holds, players seem slightly more switched on and will drop into intelligent as well as more advanced positions.

With all that in mind, there has also been a few noticeable changes in the core gameplay mechanics. Set pieces have had some much needed attention, you now have more control alongside a variety of ways to get the best out of your free-kicks and corners. Gone are the days where each dead ball situation would end up curling straight in to the hands of a ready and waiting goalkeeper, you can now choose to put a driven corner in to the box or a lofted ball straight on to your strongest players head, you can manoeuvre your entire stance as you prepare for a free-kick on the edge of the 18 yard box, either lay it off or try a Dimitri Payet special, the choice is yours. This might seem like change for change's sake, but it's these slight alterations that ensure playing a full 90 minutes of FIFA 17 stays interesting and makes each game different from the last.

One of FIFA 17's biggest flaws is actually in the presentation. Although having the licenses to almost every league in the world, EA Canada has chosen to focus the majority of their resources on the English Premier League, this neglects a lot of clubs from the less popular leagues around the globe like the disappointment of an unused substitute at a World Cup. Each Premier League club has their own beautifully crafted stadium that look as close to the real thing as you can possibly get in a video game. However, if say, I were to play a match from the French League and the Intense and often physical derby between PSG and Olympique Marseille, the atmosphere is somewhat numb and I would be treated to a random knockoff stadium.

The same lack of attention to detail goes more than double for the commentary team, which sees the return of Martin Tyler and Alan Smith, who it appears have added an extra few lines of dialogue but for the rest avoided the recording studio at all costs, the majority of cringe worthy lines that are dropped throughout each match are the same as the last couple of years, still missing out half a club's squad names and referencing insignificant stats, the monotony of Tyler and Smith has been my biggest gripe in the FIFA franchise since they were paired back in 2012.

Now, onto online modes, which have been left pretty much unchanged for the most part. Solo and co-op seasons haven't had any upgrades either, whereas FIFA Ultimate Team has received a few smart advancements to ensure that the game mode is more favourable to those of us who don't fancy re-mortgaging our property to enjoy this addictive mode. Another feature that has seen some slight changes is last years addition 'The Draft' which lends itself to other modes and influences such features including the Squad Building Challenges where you can win prizes by building a squad under certain conditions.

Career mode has been given a new lick of paint and a gives you a few new goals to meet and to ensure you achieve these you will need to meet expectations of the chairman, mirroring itself from real life business strategies in the football sector. Each of your objectives are tailored to individual teams and are now separated in to - Domestic and Continental success, Brand Value, Finance, and Youth Development. Things like Transfers, loans, contract dealings and scouting remain largely untouched alongside your squad layout. You do have more tactical control this year and of course, Jose Mourinho is in the game (As if you didn't already know).

The Verdict:

FIFA 17 is the best addition to the series we have seen for a number of years, although there isn't anything revolutionary included in the latest entry, all the small changes make a big impact. Does it have the presentation of NBA 2K? No - Has it got the intricate flair and realism as PES 17 does on the pitch? Not quite. However, it does hold an impressive new story mode and the return to fast paced football really does feel more invigorating than I remember.

FIFA 17 is fun, it's frantic, it's energetic with plenty of modes and new additions for the rising star and veteran players to enjoy. It's a good start for the franchise to return as a tough challenger for it's rival top spot as league leaders, FIFA may hold the title off the pitch but it's certainly being tested on it.

FIFA 17 was reviewed on PS4, A review copy of the game was supplied by the publisher.

By Simon Hill

@SimonHOfficial