The upcoming football simulation FIFA 17 promises great innovations and comprehensive gameplay changes. What can we expect from it? What is new?
Every year a new FIFA title from EA Sports is released. That is as certain as FC Bayern Munich’s participation in the Champions League semifinals. And year after year, the developers promise improvements and innovations that are supposed to revolutionize the virtual football experience.
However, some fans see it differently after they have played a few matches of the freshly acquired FIFA title. They don’t notice any significant changes, says a passionate fan in the forums. The whole game is just an update to its predecessor – and at the price of a full-price title, he writes, often receiving agreement from the community. Will FIFA 17 just be an expensive update to FIFA 16?
FIFA 17 wants to change football – But what is new?
EA Sports is launching an offensive with FIFA 17 and spreading the word: “Football has changed.” Under this motto stands this year’s football simulation, which aims to introduce “truly” large-scale improvements and innovations.
A drastic innovation in FIFA 17 will be “The Journey”, the first story mode ever in the FIFA series. You take on the role of young football talent Alex Hunter, experience completely new football worlds, and get to know the exciting life of a professional. You pursue the goal of becoming the new star in the football sky.
This will likely succeed in convincing many football fans to buy FIFA 17. Because who wouldn’t want to pursue a professional career and step onto the pitch with renowned figures? The response to the narrative mode has been overwhelmingly positive: 122k fans liked the “The Journey” trailer on YouTube, while only 3300 disliked it.
Gameplay innovations in FIFA 17
All enthusiastic FIFA fans know, however, that the best mode is worth little if the gameplay is not solid. Especially since we cannot yet predict how extensive “The Journey” will be and how long it can keep one engaged.
Therefore, EA Sports has also announced major innovations for the gameplay, which the Frostbite engine can enable, in addition to improved graphics. FIFA 17 is set to deliver the following new features on the pitch:
- Reworked set pieces: You can give your free kicks, penalties, corners, and throw-ins your own personality. You have full control over the set pieces.
- Adaptive player intelligence: With a smarter system, players gain a better understanding of space through continuous analysis of the field. Your players move and react differently and show increased activity off the ball. Now, footballers are able to take completely new running paths.
- Improved physical engagement: The physical interactions of players are redesigned across all areas of the pitch. In the battle for space and ball possession, you now have more options. 360° shielding and the pushback technique are mentioned, allowing for authentic innovations in ball control, dribbling, physics, and defense.
- Diverse attacking techniques: You will have several new ways to create and convert goal-scoring opportunities. EA Sports mentions features like powerful, flat shots, precise through passes, variable take-offs, and header set pieces.
However, we still know nothing about many aspects of FIFA 17: Which stadiums and leagues (how about the 3rd league?) will come? What new features are coming in the “Ultimate Team” mode and in Pro Clubs?
FIFA 17 gives the impression that it will be more than just a polished clone of its predecessor. New graphics, a new mode, and new gameplay changes are already confirmed. On September 29, we will find out how EA Sports’ promises will be fulfilled.
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