The FIFA 20 demo is out. We played the test version extensively – this is our opinion on VOLTA, gameplay, and atmosphere. Our demo review.
What to consider: The demo is pure offline play (unless you use the online trick on PS4 to play with your friends). The gameplay in FUT, for example, may feel different than in the demo.
This is what was played: In the demo, you can try kickoff matches with selected teams. This can be done alone or with multiple players.
You can also test the new VOLTA mode – with friends, this is only possible together, not against each other. What stood out to us, we will show you in this article.
VOLTA – not like FIFA Street, but fun
This is how VOLTA comes across: Let’s start with the biggest innovation that can be tested in the demo. The VOLTA mode starts in the demo with a video focusing on Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid. After we see a few scenes in the stadium, the cutscene switches to the street. And the scenes there make you want more! You can find out more about the story in VOLTA here.
You get challenged by a team to a match on the small field in 3v3. It is played until four goals are scored – and you should easily win the first match.
Your opponents mostly let you do your thing. Especially with friends on a console, which you can add in the menu via the pitch selection for the game, VOLTA is fun in the demo – but you can only play cooperatively, not against each other.
If you play a few more matches, the opponents seem to act a bit stronger – and then the mode becomes more fun. Completely like FIFA Street it doesn’t feel at the beginning, but rather like a souped-up version of the old futsal mode.
Tricks don’t flow as easily as you might be used to from the Street series. However, it is possible that VOLTA can become more spectacular with more practice – there is definitely potential.
In the first attempts, it felt more efficient to simply pass through the opponent instead of outsmarting them – this may also be due to the AI.
Another thing to note: Shooting from a distance at an empty goal rarely yields results. The shooting accuracy in VOLTA seems to have been significantly reduced. At least, the ball often hits the board instead of going into the goal despite the absence of defense.
The VOLTA conclusion: VOLTA in the demo is fun, but still feels like something “for a quick game”. The gameplay and atmosphere in the scenes before the game make you want more. It will be particularly exciting to see what the mode brings in its full scope and whether it can motivate for a long time.
FIFA 20: Gameplay itself is slow
What stands out about the gameplay: Now let’s switch to the kickoff mode. Here, Champions League is played! And quite slowly: The gameplay feels overall tidier, but not as fast. This isn’t negative. The gameplay gives you more time to think – and thus play more creatively.
The new ball physics are something you have to get used to. But the game feels much more realistic in this regard. Additionally, there are some shooting and movement animations that you haven’t seen before.
How the gameplay will transfer from kickoff to FUT remains to be seen. Experience shows that there are remarkable differences in terms of speed.
Player strengths are noticeable
This is what makes the individual players stand out: What was impressive in the demo was that you could notice clear differences between the individual players.
This was especially reflected in that strengths really came into play. For example: When Jadon Sancho had run away from you, he was really gone.
On the other hand, it was absolutely impossible to catch up with Salah using Mats Hummels. At the same time, it was noticeable that technically strong players, for example, delivered passes and crosses much more accurately than less skilled teammates.
In FIFA 19, the pace differences were not as significant.
The same was noticeable in defense. When Virgil van Dijk stood in front of you, it was almost impossible to get past him. Skill moves or a quick sprint didn’t help at all. You had to look for a different way then.
What appeared to be very effective: Sending players out wide. Because once you got past the defense, you normally had a clear run – and hardly any defender could catch up at that point.
La Croqueta – no longer the cure-all
Regarding skill moves: Speaking of leaving defenders behind. It’s no longer so easy. Also, the trick “La Croqueta”, which in FIFA 19 was a real weapon when chained together, no longer feels like a cure-all in offense. Often, you could get past the opponent with this trick or at least draw a penalty.
That seems to be over now. Seamlessly chaining no longer works in this form. And also in the penalty area, “La Croqueta” no longer leads to a penalty whistle. The defense has gotten smarter. However, the general rule is: if you time a skill move just right, the tricks remain a good weapon in attack.
The new penalties will need practice
This is how the penalties were successful: The new penalty system definitely doesn’t feel easy. You’ll first have to get used to a few misses before you can realize the perfect penalty.
In theory, the system seems to enable more accurate shots. In practice, however, so far, the virtual spectators behind the goal have mostly enjoyed free balls.
Keepers somewhat erratic
This stood out about the keepers: The goalkeepers in the game seem a bit strangely balanced. Many saves felt random. Relatively simple-looking balls were completely inexplicably flicked to the side, while really strong shots were easily held.
You still miss a clearer line here – currently, you have the feeling that you don’t really know what the goalkeeper is planning.
What is pleasing, though: A rebound landing directly back to the opponent over several meters did not occur in the demo so far. Simply shooting and then capitalizing on the rebound doesn’t seem to be the way to go in kickoff mode.
Manually defending feels rewarding
This is what the defense does: In the previous game, there was a lot of criticism that manual defending didn’t feel rewarding. This is noticeably different in FIFA 20. When you prevent an attack yourself with the defender, you generally win the ball. It doesn’t roll back to the opponent, and it rarely goes out of bounds unexpectedly. This is a significant improvement.
Moreover, passes are often intercepted when you position the defender correctly. This is fun, as you can use several defensive variations that are equally successful.
Atmosphere fantastic
This is what is convincing about the atmosphere: Regarding the atmosphere in the stadiums, FIFA 20 shines already in the demo. The Champions League design still looks strong. But it seems that EA has turned the stadium sound a bit. This will be especially exciting in the new stadiums!
The home fans go completely crazy when their team scores a goal. Conversely, it goes dead silent when an opponent scores. Meanwhile, singing is going on endlessly. It’s fun and really feels like football.
Overall, we enjoyed the demo – we are excited for more! How did it go for you?
