FIFA 22 is getting closer, and the first information about the modes is slowly being released. Surprisingly, a mode that has been neglected in recent years comes with new features. At least for MeinMMO author Max Handwerk, it could now become interesting.
Which mode is it about? On August 5th, new information about the career mode was announced. As FIFA veterans know, it is divided into:
- Manager Career
- Player Career
The first variant lets players manage a club (this year even a self-created one) and has been my classic go-to mode when Ultimate Team isn’t appealing.
I have largely ignored the player career in recent years. Although I have played the mode occasionally, I always came to the conclusion relatively quickly: something is missing here.
The mode simply didn’t feel like a real career. The progression system was too opaque, and the advancements were treated too dryly. Young players were either summoned to the starting eleven or directly loaned to the next club – an in-between situation. Fighting for a place in the starting eleven through performance just didn’t happen. Yet that is the path that promising talents often take in professional football.
The player career felt lifeless for years, and not much changed. FIFA has certainly been able to breathe life into single-player modes in the past, such as in the story mode “The Journey” with Alex Hunter, which started in FIFA 17 and ended with FIFA 19. Playing solo was actually a lot of fun.
This “life” was something I missed for a long time in the player career. But in FIFA 22, there is hope that the mode might become really interesting.
What is better this year?
Of course, whether the mode will actually be “good” remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the announcements at least give hope that the player career in FIFA 22 will feel significantly more vibrant.
It starts with the ability to be substituted in as a player from the bench. A seemingly small change that instantly adds a dose of realism to the mode and provides a realistic goal to start the career.
Additionally, you must earn the coach’s trust through various game objectives. If you can’t convince when the coach calls you from the bench to turn the game around, you might quickly find yourself out of a job. Depending on the manager rating, you will receive more responsibility in the team or end up on the transfer list.
Here, there is also a distinction between top clubs and smaller teams. For example, at FC Bayern, as a newcomer, you will likely have to work harder than at Shrewsbury Town in the third English league.
The same goes for the national team: you must also earn your place and convince a coach. This sounds like you have a lot of objectives ahead of you.
A bit more role-playing
What changes: In the outdated player career, you level up your player, collect XP and skill points to unlock new abilities. The nice thing is that the skill tree allows you to customize your player just the way you want. So I could create an absolute passing machine that runs only 3 km/h but delivers passes with razor-sharp precision. Well, theoretically.
The fact is: if you enjoy tinkering with skill trees – like I do – you will likely have a great time in the player career.
This will also be complemented by a new perk system. You can unlock up to three perks for your player. And there is an endlessly long list of perks. Here are a few favorites:
- Distance Shooter – Increases your accuracy and power with shots from a distance. Grants you the Finesse Shot trait and the 5-star weak foot ability.
- Clutch Finisher – Increases your shooting attributes in the last 15 minutes and extra time. Grants the Finesse Shot and Power Header traits and increases your weak foot ability.
- Hot Streak – Shooting attributes are increased for a short time (15 minutes) after you score a goal. Grants the Finesse Shot and Power Header traits and increases your weak foot ability.
- Last Defender – Increases your defensive attributes when you are the last player left before the goal.
It may sound a bit like arcade fun, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. On the contrary: I think such detailed abilities are great and look forward to trying them out.
Party hard in the locker room
A bit more atmosphere: The last important point as to why the player career could become more exciting: generally, there should be more atmosphere in the mode.
This includes new cutscenes when you win a game, lose, embarrass yourself, or get to lift a trophy. This way, hopefully, you feel more like a real part of the team.
Transfer negotiations are also set to feel livelier, and there will generally be more reports on issues such as:
- Club records set
- Making your club debut
- Impressing greatly in the first season
- Winning the Golden Shoe
Many other situations are expected to be included. Additionally, there will be new intro cutscenes on NextGen consoles. You will see warm-ups, walking onto the pitch, the groundskeeper, and more. Especially important matches are intended to be prepared more excitingly – and if you disappoint the spectators, they might just leave early.
It may be that all these cutscenes become relatively repetitive quickly. That risk exists when you play several seasons with a plethora of match days.
But overall, the improvements seem like a much-needed injection of life that could elevate the player career mode to a new level. I will definitely give it a chance. However, it’s still a bit until the release. You can find all information about the FIFA 22 release on October 1st here.
What do you think of the updated mode? Are you looking forward to it or would you rather check out other modes? Tell us in the comments!
