FIFA 14

To a cynic each new version of FIFA is just a database update: a few new kits, the latest line-ups and you’ve got a brand new game.

As we inch closer to the big day, many moms, dads, brothers or drunk uncles are looking for that must have Xbox One game to put under the tree.  Let’s face it none of the launch games scream “you must own this”.  Sure Forza 5 and Dead Rising 3 are pretty solid launch titles.  Likewise Call of Duty Ghosts and Madden 25 will certainly appeal to those who have already invested some time with their respective franchises.  Yet not one launch game has come bursting out of the gate with everyone clamouring to get their hands on a copy of the game.  At least not nearly in the same way we frothed at th...

“EA Sports owns the virtual pitch once again in ‘FIFA 14,’ a marginal current gen upgrade that excels for remembering to stick to the fundamentals.”

EA Sports' annual football franchise has enjoyed a good run of late, maintaining steady form over the past few years. The PlayStation 3 version of FIFA 14 was another solid step in the right direction, even if it was more about evolution rather than revolution, as we described in our review. Now, the game makes the jump to Sony's new machine as a PlayStation 4 launch title, and you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that it's probably little more than an aesthetic upgrade – but surprisingly, you'd be wrong. FIFA 14 on the PS4 feels like the title that the developer has always been striving to mak...

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FIFA 14 is a potentially superb game that needs a tweak or two to push it close to the heights of sporting greatness. Solid gameplay, so many ways of playing that you’ll probably be confused for days, and that all-important “just one more match” draw that will keep you playing well past the end of the real season mean that there’s only one destination for football fans this year. It ain’t perfect, but it’s an improved version of FIFA 13 that feels like a whole new game at times.

That being said, the gameplay in FIFA 14 is much more refined when compared to FIFA 13, so those who do pick up the game will find a more enjoyable experience overall. Not to mention the realism that the collisions and shooting add to the proceedings make the game look as close to real soccer as it ever has. But two subtle, but in my opinion needed, improvements aren't going to outweigh a lot of the same-ness that pervades the game overall. Picking up FIFA 14 now won't leave gamers dissatisfied, but it might be worth waiting to see what the next-gen has to offer.

Updated graphics and player visuals are what make FIFA 14 worth picking up. The stadiums and fields look spectacular, though some minor issues with gameplay elements can bring the game back down a notch. For a title that may not have been rushed, but definitely hurried for launch, EA Sports did a good job in getting soccer fans their fix.

Aside from issues, both big and small, in many of its designs, FIFA 14 does make up a lot by providing expertly produced gameplay in a range of content. It’s fortunate that most flaws are either cosmetic or don’t break down from the core experience in a particular mode, while on the other hand reworking the play for a more genuine feel. Playing is more important than anything in this game and it handles that gloriously on a basic level; enough that anyone can enjoy it, whether it’s the seasoned veteran or the casual onlooker.

Football games are slowly reaching a plateau with non-pitch improvements, but there’s no doubt that this year’s FIFA is the best yet. To many it’ll still seem ludicrous that sports games are worth the purchase every year, but for anyone who’s ever kicked a football in their life, this is the definitive choice.

One problem that I found with the game is the difficulty settings. There are the standard settings ranging from Amateur to Legendary but there are also more advanced settings which aren’t as obvious to find. These advanced settings allow you to choose the ability of the CPU controlled players, meaning that you can put on the game on Legendary but set all the variables to their lowest settings and end up playing a team that can’t run or kick a ball. Seems weird that they’ve put both sets of settings in the same game, especially when you unlock the best improvements to your created player and ac...