In October, FIFA 21 will be released. We at MeinMMO have had the opportunity to test the game and can share our impressions of the gameplay today. Two new mechanics stood out significantly.
New gameplay in FIFA 21: Every FIFA has its mechanics in offense that create many chances. One can remember the feared Tornado Cross in FIFA 19 or the Drag-Back in FIFA 20. In our first test, where we could play the Kick-Off mode of FIFA 21, two new mechanics in the gameplay of FIFA 21 stood out particularly. We present them to you here.
Agile Dribbling makes dribbling even more important
Old trick becomes even stronger: In FIFA 21, dribbling becomes even more important than in FIFA 20. EA Sports emphasized that they placed a lot of value on creativity and fluid movements while dribbling – and that players should do the same.
Those who master dribbling in FIFA 21 will hardly be separated from the ball. The key point is the new “Agile Dribbling” – which effectively replaces the “Drag-Back”. The Drag-Back is a simple trick in FIFA 20: You press R1 and the direction you want. Depending on the player’s position relative to the ball, the player then turns with the ball in the direction you want. The trick is simple to execute but has the significant effect of being one of the most important skill moves in FIFA 20.
The “Agile Dribbling” now takes that further. When you press R1, the player initiates the new mechanic. The ball stays perfectly at the foot and can be moved meticulously in any direction – while the player remains in place. How it all works, you can see here in the new gameplay trailer for FIFA 21:
In the test, Agile Dribbling proved to be a perfect means to maintain possession of the ball, but it also worked extremely well in offense when it came to outmaneuvering opponents. Additionally, it puts one in the perfect position to make a deadly pass – which brings us to the second mechanic.
Perfect runs are possible – with training
This is changing in positioning: Previously, you could only somewhat control the AI-controlled players while you had the ball.
- L1 caused a sprint forward
- R1 ordered the nearest player for closer support
Now FIFA 21 introduces the “Creative Runs”. This is a mechanic that could noticeably change the offensive play. With this mechanic, you can tell the AI for the first time exactly where to run.
This is how Creative Runs work: When you pass to a teammate, you push the right stick in the direction the passer should run. Essentially, you control two players at once. Even without a pass, this works: Trigger a sprint with L1 like before, then flick the right stick in the direction the player should go.
In the test, we had to first get accustomed to this new possibility and sometimes sent our players wildly across the pitch. But once you internalize it, you can create pretty nasty situations for the opponent.
However, it should be noted that our test version included an early version of FIFA 21. To what extent the mechanic will be changed in the final game remains to be seen.
What are the implications? In short: You no longer have to rely on the runs of the AI but can use runs that you determine yourself.
This means: If you want to let your striker run into a specific gap, that is possible. If you plan a surprise run back, that is also possible. It will be possible to let players run completely free across the field – and this could lead to surprising situations. And this will be complemented by further elements.
First, EA Sports has revised the “Positioning Personality” to better reflect the real-life profiles of the players. Now, some players with poor positioning ratings run into offsides faster than others. Or they run better into finishing positions when the corresponding attributes are high.
Secondly, passes into space are now more accurate and find their targets noticeably better. This way, opponents can be outplayed much better than was the case in FIFA 20. If you now ensure through Creative Runs that your players run perfectly free, you will hardly be stopped.
Speaking of being unstoppable: Some Bundesliga players are expected to receive a significant upgrade in the upcoming game. Stopping them will be even more difficult. Here you can find 5 players who deserve an upgrade in FIFA 21.
