FIFA 15 Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (PS4, XB1)

[DBMcGee3]

Quote: Originally Posted by gottaplaysome

I've tried all options I could think of in the Arena on Xbox One and it appears to be the same situation as is being described on the PS4: it's not there. You get one player vs a goalkeeper and the option to have the CPU control both player (Messi by default) and the goalkeeper. What used to be the "back" button on the Xbox 360 controller (now on Xbox One it looks like two windows overlapping) changes the track of music playing, nothing more. There appears to be no way to practice set pieces or play a 11 vs 9 practice game (one of my ways of trying to get better at spotting the open men for passing) or any of the other options that were present in FIFA 14 Arena mode. A great game just lost a little bit of its shine, but it's still a great game. I'm thinking I'll just do a "Kick Off" game on an easy difficulty setting to practice free kicks (by having them happen in the game) -- definitely NOT the same thing as the easy difficulty will very likely muck with how things play out in that situation.

I find this impossible to believe, and I would also be super bummed if the practice match has been removed. If I recall, last year it was "select", maybe on PS4 it's the mouse pad button this year? Surely it's available, I can't think of any reason they'd remove it.

[Da Amba Lamps]

I've only played clubs but that was amazing. If the rest of the game was **** but clubs were what they are I'd give it a 10/10. The rest of the game might be **** I have no idea. I can't stop clubbing

[Hutton]

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really digging the gameplay in FUT. I built myself a neat little bronze FL1 squad, 2* 62ovr and have played in a few tournaments with them, winning a beginner (a 4 year old could win 10-nil on beginner) and one on semi-pro.

Then I decided to make the leap to a Pro tourny. I narrowly pulled out a 1-0 win vs Santos Laguna on a penalty shot. Things are looking decent I say to myself. Then I'm matched up with Club America. Oh boy. They went ahead 1-nil in the 6' on a goal from a corner their first trip down the field. They also hit a couple posts in the first half before I could find the equalizer through a nifty goal from my stalwart CM Adam Chambers.

http://youtu.be/FpxBQA9fnas?list=UUG...4PFy3L2r8VUvfw

A few really cool animations going on in this video. First I love my aggressive CM getting forward and calling for the pass in the box. When he doesn't get the pass he actively avoids the shot by appearing to leap out of the way. Last are most impressive to me is the fact that he aggressively follows the shot & pounces on the rebound (about damn time EA figured out how to do this), then scores a nifty little goal while sliding to level the score.

Minutes later the same Adam Chambers rises high (was POORLY marked) on a corner and heads it in for the lead. I score what I believe is the decisive goal in the 82', Canton Hotspur FC with the unprobable 3-1 lead. The it all goes to hell. America starts to rush players forward, playing long balls into the top of my 18. They bang home a goal on a botched clearance in the 89'. Then continuing the pressure they are able to volley home the tying goal in extra time. My team is gutted. I did everything I could to withstand the CPU pressure, but my players were severely fatigued and couldn't find a way to stop them. The match ended up going to PK's and I lost 5-3. This was such a great match, and I didn't feel the "cheaty" CPU AI from FIFA14 FUT in effect, where it felt like the CPU could score when they wanted to. This was a real challenge, hard fought and realistic. By far the most fun I've had in FUT.

Then I decide to jump into the weekly challenge "HIGHLIGHT" matches. A few of them are still broken, yielding 0xp. EA always seems to struggle with updating these matches. Hopefully it's just early growing pains. I decide to play the Leicester City ManU challenge on SemiPro. What a crap fest this is. EA totally uses some absurd "special" gameplay coding for these matches. The CPU ManU is leagues more talented than my Leicester side, and I need to somehow find 4 goals in 30'. No way. Not possible on even SemiPro. My players a dumb, lifeless zombies. All of the aggressive attacking of the ball that I saw from my Football League 1 Bronze players in FUT is completely gone. They stand around and constantly ball watch. They useless statues on the field who appear to gain enjoyment from matching united run down the field with the ball. Falcao abused Cambiasso for 90 meters to score this goal vs me, I've never seen anything like this: http://youtu.be/eXaxBbd2F8c

I tried some shirt tugs, pushes, anything I could to slow Falcao down waiting for support. The support never arrives. My defenders allow him a straight path to the goal, feeling the potential ball played to the spot is more dangerous than Falcao driving to the near post. Pffft. This is crap. Thankfully the game doesn't play like this in FUT/exhibition mode. Just another iteration of absurd weekly challenge goals that can only be achieved on amateur level.

[drog1602]

Ok, this is my first FIFA game ever, I only purchased because EA hockey left out club mode. First impressions...graphics are not really what I expected for next gen game. This surprised me to be honest, a let down. Menus are not clear as to what you need to do, so took some trial and error.

The game itself was easy to pick up and play, the goalies are terrible ( especially in club games). So far it seems ok during online club games, we had some good laughs. Though I need to find some better camera angles, its really weird to have to watch a mini map to see where you are. Also, why do the player diamonds change color all the time for the positions? Make each on its own color and keep it consistent.

So far I give the game a 6 out of 10. I play on Xbox One

[xicpanad]

Quote: Originally Posted by drog1602

Ok, this is my first FIFA game ever, I only purchased because EA hockey left out club mode. First impressions...graphics are not really what I expected for next gen game. This surprised me to be honest, a let down. Menus are not clear as to what you need to do, so took some trial and error. The game itself was easy to pick up and play, the goalies are terrible ( especially in club games). So far it seems ok during online club games, we had some good laughs. Though I need to find some better camera angles, its really weird to have to watch a mini map to see where you are. Also, why do the player diamonds change color all the time for the positions? Make each on its own color and keep it consistent. So far I give the game a 6 out of 10. I play on Xbox One

For the first time you play Fifa, you´re having quite some high expectations. Enjoy the game because this is the best Fifa ever in my opinion.

[mfp]

Quote: Originally Posted by woody2goody

I'm honestly starting to believe people who are complaining about defending just aren't very good at it. In real life if you just rush towards the ball-carrier constantly there's a chance you will leave yourselves open. I try to defend in a containing manner. I don't use the contain button ever, I just use a combination of Jockey, Jockey + sprint to achieve good results. You have to know when you can commit to a tackle because otherwise you will be embarrassed. I'm not saying I am a god of all things FIFA, however I believe defending has been made more realistic in 15.

No, it's just a really poor defensive system. And for the record, I don't have problems winning matches and keeping the CPU from scoring. It's just that the way defending is implemented is not a good system, it leads to far too much space, not enough tackles, and a major imbalance in gameplay.

Play the PES demo and you'll immediately notice the problem with FIFA's defending. PES still has issues with its one-on-one defensive mechanics, and the overall physicality of its game is no where near as complex and realistic as FIFA's, but PES actually allows you to get close and put a tackle in fairly easy.

In football, getting tight and sticking a boot in is not difficult. Being successful at it is, and the penalty for failure can be huge. This is why you'd contain rather than tackle. But in FIFA, it's extremely difficult to get close and stick a leg in. You simply can't do it consistently because of the gameplay mechanics and it's a huge lapse in realism.

The defending is further exacerbated by the AI. There's a huge lack of tactical discipline, most notably with midfielders. This is most relevant in transitional phases when you'll regularly have your holding midfielders not holding. It's slightly improved this year but even with the individual instructions set for players to stay back in attack, you'll still find them making runs into the box, leaving massive space and easy counterattacks. Then there are all the times when teammates are caught ball-watching when they should be getting back and providing support.

Meanwhile, the backline defensive AI has been shored up since being atrocious in 14, but there's still major issues. Strikers are often given far too much space to receive the ball, again leading to easy counterattacks, while I'm having a very easy time putting througballs into my forwards through the outside channels, often leading to easy scoring opportunities.

I will most certainly agree that there is a learning curve with FIFA's defensive system, and I agree that there is a way to use it effectively to defend, if by defending we mean limiting goals and scoring opportunities. However, the actual defensive mechanics and AI are not implemented well, leading to unrealistic one-on-one defending and inflated CPU possession stats; if you're successful at defending in FIFA, it's in spite of the system, not because of it.

And remember, no amount of getting better will improve the CPU's defensive AI, which like is highly suspect at times. I don't know about you but I take no real satisfaction in scoring easy goals that are the result of flaws in the game, no matter how pretty they are to watch.

[russ99]

Quote: Originally Posted by BL8001

If people are having trouble defending and the CPU is beating you up with rough tackles and shirt pulling... You give that right back to them by holding the B button when you are close to the CPU. EA has put in a ton of rough play interactions and at times it seems like they are begging me to beat up the CPU. Not only that, but in a loosely called match if you let the CPU manhandle you momentum swings in their favor. I saw that happening last night so I started holding B and pushing and shoving the CPU right back and they backed off. There is a nice feeling of yin yang when you go get stuck in violently on the CPU and the advantage icon pops up for them and you just back off until the icon turns off... Cpu has been pulling that crap on me for years and now it's payback. Also if you knock them just a bit off balance the chance of a poor pass or shot happening increases greatly. I am in the classic kits and that's me fouling but not fouling the CPU according to the ref. is it a bit goofy? Yes. Does the CPU do it to you? Yes.

Nice! I've been having a tough time so far marking and it's become futile trying to catch up with runners (as in past FIFAs) so this will swing the balance back nicely.

I played the Leicester - Man United game of the week challenge yesterday, and that was super fun and challenging. The key is not to let United have possession since it was super-tough to get it back.

When I start my Arsenal manager career it will be interesting to see how much transfer cash is left after they signed Welbeck and if there's enough left to can land Carvalho to be the tough DM.

[Qb]

Aside from the intro match, I only played drop-in/clubs matches last night (about 10), so all my impressions are from OTP:

• I think I was fouled more times last night than in all my OTP time with FIFA14. I drew two penalties, several cards, and 20+ fouls in only 10 matches. And that's just me, teammates were getting them to.
• If you play under control, you can wiggle out of some tight spaces (and get fouled). Throw in protecting the ball and some basic skill moves and you can really make over-aggressive defenders pay.
• CPU teammates are fairly capable in attack, at least when it comes to keeping possession. Their defense is suspect, especially on the wings, but we did well enough without an ANY.
• Pro Clubs keepers seem to be good shot-stoppers, but do some weird stuff on crosses and deflections around the 6yd box. Might be a ratings thing, not sure how real keepers react to that stuff. They're also pretty good about coming off their line to sweep up all those assisted through balls.
• The ball physics and independence make such a difference. It seems like there is less player/ball "magnetism" meaning every ball is up for grabs. In the past, it felt like there was a lot of under-the-hood assistance involved in player movement, but it feels really free and natural now.
• Lots of new animations like stumbling on abrupt changes of direction, defenders putting their arms behind them in the box, and all the pure emotion stuff. Still waiting for my guy to applaud or thumbs-up a teammate after a failed pass attempt... one of my favorite quirks of soccer culture.
• The UI improvements like auto launching the next match and players being able to ready up while teammates are in a match are great. Makes you always want to play one more!

Overall, the first night of clubs was a blast. I'm sure some warts will show once VP ratings climb and people catch on to what works. Now if they'd just force everyone to use manual through balls...