The release of FIFA 22 is approaching, and we already know a lot about the new installment of the series. Here you will find out the most exciting innovations that the new FIFA part has to offer.
Since FIFA 22 was officially presented, EA has been regularly releasing details about the innovations in various game modes. We summarize the most important innovations for you and reveal which points are particularly exciting.
When is FIFA 22 released? The official release date of FIFA 22 is October 1, 2021. However, you can also play FIFA 22 a little earlier. We’ll tell you how it works.
You can find everything about the FIFA 22 release here.
Play FIFA 22 early – Here’s how
You can already play FIFA 22 before the official release on October 1, 2021. To do so, you need to either pre-order the Ultimate Edition to play 3 days earlier or get EA Play to test FIFA 22 9 days earlier on September 22 for 10 hours.
Here are the different start times:
- Start on September 22 – EA Play or EA Play Pro (with 10-hour time limit)
- Start on September 27 – FIFA 22 Ultimate Edition
- Start on October 1 – FIFA 22 Standard Edition
1. More realistic gameplay through HyperMotion
What’s new: The big new buzzword for FIFA 22 that is highlighted in all advertising campaigns is “HyperMotion“. A gameplay technology that will only be available for the next-gen FIFA versions on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Google Stadia, and which EA claims will revolutionize gameplay. HyperMotion brings over 4,000 new animations and aims to improve other gameplay aspects.
This is what HyperMotion has to offer:
- Machine learning is supposed to provide smoother animations in real-time.
- The new “Tactical AI” promises more intelligence for players in both offensive and defensive play. CPU teammates should be able to make more decisions per second in the attack, while the defensive AI should better close gaps and act as a tactical unit.
- “Player Humanization” is supposed to improve off-the-ball animations and make players who are not currently involved in the game appear more realistic.
- With the “Kinetic Air Battles,” duels in the air are supposed to become more realistic and the animations better coordinated.
- “Composed Ball Control” aims to enhance ball control and ensure that players can receive and dribble the ball more agilely.
You can watch the HyperMotion innovations in this video:
2. Smarter goalkeepers who save more shots
What’s new: For the first time in years, goalkeepers have received a comprehensive update, including new animations. With this “Goalkeeper Rewrite,” the keepers are meant to be significantly smarter, move better, and thus prevent more goals.
A change that we noticed in our testing. In fact, the keepers acted differently than in previous years and saved shots that seemed unbeatable in earlier FIFA installments. It remains to be seen how the new, improved keepers will affect the game balance.
3. New speed boost could make a big difference
What’s new: FIFA 22 will introduce a new speed boost that differs from the Bridge Move in FIFA 21. This time, it’s not just the ball-carrying player who can use it; defenders can also take advantage of a well-timed “Explosive Sprint” to win the ball back.
To perform the new “Explosive Sprint,” you need to press the sprint button (R2/RT) at the right moment. However, the exact timing for this is not yet known.
You can see the boost in this video:
4. More tactical finesse
What’s new: There will be more tactical options in FIFA 22 – especially in the offensive play. There are now two different areas that you can adjust independently:
- Building play in your own half
- Chance creation in the opponent’s half
This means you can decide how your team should act in the different halves of the field. For example, you can plan a controlled, safe build-up in your own half and overwhelm the opponent in the opposing half with sudden sprints.
5. Stronger AI for defense
What’s new: FIFA 22 promises smarter AI for defense. The “Tactical AI” in the next-gen version of FIFA 22 is supposed to provide more football-like behavior.
This is particularly noticeable in defense, where the defense now secures different zones instead of focusing on individual players. It moves as a unit and ensures better coverage.
Important: Work rates and fatigue will noticeably affect player positioning, including playing in wrong positions. For example, players positioned in central defense are expected to have worse positioning if that is not their actual position.
You can see how the defense is supposed to act in FIFA 22 in the following video:
6. Comprehensive statistics after the match
What’s new: With FIFA 22, you will receive comprehensive statistics about the game after the match and also at halftime. There are plenty of different facts included.
You can see, among other things, where exactly your players spent most of their time, or where you frequently lost the ball. Additionally, you can see what types of shots were successful and which passing types were the strongest. An interesting feature to improve your own playing style.
7. An improved player switch
What’s new: Every FIFA player knows the problem: You play on defense, want to switch players, but it just doesn’t work properly. You always seem to get the wrong player. FIFA 22 aims to remedy this and introduces a new way to switch players. You simply press the right stick, and various button symbols will appear over your teammates.
Now you press the symbol of the desired player, and you can take control. However, it remains to be seen whether switching will really work as well in practice as announced.
8. Career mode finally with your own club
What’s new: In the popular career mode in FIFA 22, a long-awaited fan wish finally comes true: You can now create your own club and lead it to the top of virtual world football. You choose the club name, a nickname, the crest, create a nice stadium, and decide on a transfer budget. Then you choose which league to start in and off you go.
You can then choose whether to start as an underdog or directly with really strong players.
9. The player career could become really good
What’s new: The player career in career mode has been treated somewhat neglected in recent years, as there have been very few changes or novelties. With FIFA 22, this will change, as the player career, where you create a single player, join a club, and try to become a world star, will finally receive fundamental innovations.
For example, the mode now features an extensive leveling and perk system, allowing you to improve your player in a much more individualized way. You can see how it works here:
Other innovations in the player career include:
- You can finally be a substitute player
- You need to earn the coach’s trust by completing tasks
- You can end up on the loan or transfer list
10. Deeper player development and customization options for Pro Clubs
What’s new: Just like in player career, Pro Clubs will receive a comprehensive new leveling and perk system for more individualized and deeper player development. You can earn experience points and level up to level 25. Additionally, you need to choose 3 different perks.
For example:
- Quick Reply – Shooting attributes get a boost for a short time (15 in-game minutes) after conceding a goal. Activates the finesse shot and power header trait and improves the weak foot.
- Distance Shooter – Improves the accuracy and power of long shots. Grants the finesse shot trait and activates 5 stars for the weak foot.
- Last Defender – Improves defensive attributes when remaining as the last defender.
The complete list of 26 different perks can be found in the Pitch Notes (via EA.com).
Additionally, there are the following innovations for Pro Clubs:
- You can participate in spontaneous matches with friends where you earn EXP without altering your club’s statistics.
- You have the option to customize your club’s stadium. Everything from goal music to grass patterns can be adjusted.
11. Online matches now fairer and without aids
FIFA 22 is set to be fairer, especially in online matches. EA will disable various gameplay aids in competitive modes to give players more control over the game and reduce unintentional situations and control issues.
In these modes, the changes apply: The new competitive settings are mandatory in the following modes and cannot be changed.
- FUT Rivals
- FUT Champions
- Online Seasons
- Co-op Seasons
- Pro Clubs
What’s changing: As of now, 7 settings will change mandatorily in the modes mentioned above. These are mainly assistive settings that help with gameplay. Newcomers can benefit from these assists, while professionals tend to turn them off to have complete control.
The changes are as follows:
- Context-sensitive agile dribbling: Off
- Automatic clearances: Off
- Automatic fancy passes: Off
- Automatic shots: Off
- Header support: Off
- Shielding: Manual
- Through pass assistance: Semi
If you want a detailed overview of the various assists, check here.
12. No more humiliation through goal celebrations
Conceding a goal in an online match of FIFA is never pleasant, but having to watch the opponent perform a humiliating celebration afterward is unbearable for many players. FIFA 22 aims to help here by allowing players to decide what they want to see after conceding a goal.
You can choose either:
- to watch the opponent’s celebration as usual
- or to see your own players showing their displeasure over the goal.
13. The Weekend League will be more flexible
In FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, there will be significant changes to FUT competitions Division Rivals and FUT Champions. There will now be fewer matches, and players will receive rewards sooner.
What’s changing in FUT Champions: “FUT Champions” is the highest competition in Ultimate Team and brings players the best rewards. Until now, it took place exclusively on weekends as “Weekend League.” This is now changing.
It will be divided into:
- Champions Play-Offs
- Finals
To qualify for the Play-Offs, you still need to play Division Rivals to collect FUT Champions points. Then you go into the FUT Champions Play-Offs, where points will also be collected throughout a FUT season to reach the final competition.
Finally, you move on to the Finals, which will expectedly take place over 20 matches on weekends. The big difference from FUT 21: Once you’ve completed the Finals, you will receive your rewards immediately and no longer have to wait for rewards Thursday.
A complete overview and a detailed explanation of the competitions can be found here:
14. FUT Heroes brings back old heroes
What’s new: In FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, a brand new type of special card is being introduced from the start: FUT Heroes. These special cards can be most closely compared to Icon cards as they also bring back former football heroes to the virtual pitch. However, they are not as powerful as the coveted Icon cards.
What makes FUT Heroes special: The Hero cards operate a bit differently in Ultimate Team compared to regular or Icon cards. They have their own way of building chemistry within the team.
Each FUT Hero is assigned to a specific league where they previously showcased their abilities. The FUT Hero cards then create a green chemistry link to that specific league. Additionally, the usual link for the same nationality is granted to other players.
Thus, FUT Heroes can provide you with new opportunities to build your team. Here you can find an overview of all known FUT Heroes in FUT 22.
15. FIFA 22 has 4 new stadiums
What’s new: FIFA 22 will feature a total of 100 stadiums, with 4 new additions. The new arenas are:
- SchücoArena – Arminia Bielefeld
- Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla – FC Cádiz
- Estádio da Luz – Benfica Lissabon
- Estádio do Dragão – FC Porto
You can find the complete list of all stadiums in FIFA 22 here.
16. VOLTA feels more like FIFA Street
For FIFA 22, the street soccer mode is being completely overhauled. The new gameplay focuses strongly on skills and special abilities, reminiscent of the old FIFA Street titles.
What’s new in VOLTA gameplay:
- A “Skill Meter” that you fill by performing tricks and passes to make goals count multiple times.
- “Signature Abilities” that give your VOLTA avatar special abilities that you can activate at the push of a button.
Additionally, VOLTA-Arcade adds a party game tournament that looks quite fun at first glance. Four random disciplines like Foot Tennis, Dodgeball, Disco Lava, or Quick Strike will be played to determine the winner.
You can watch the power shots here:
What about a demo for FIFA 22?
This is the status: Since EA broke with the long-standing tradition last year and did not release a demo for FIFA 21, the question arises whether there will be a test version of the new FIFA installment this year. However, there is currently no official information or indications regarding a demo for FIFA 22.
As soon as there are news about the demo, you’ll find out here on MeinMMO.
