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How FIFA 17’s changes go way beyond how it looks
We went hands-on with EA’s upcoming football sim and there’s a ton of changes you might’ve missed.
It's fair to say that FIFA 16 was more an evolution of the franchise than a revolution. Sure, there were a few new tricks, and the gameplay was tightened up significantly, but the groundbreaking new features were missing. When having a fast pass modifier is a key new feature, you know you're in for a quiet year.
That's not the case in 2016, however. FIFA 17 is the most ambitious entry into the franchise for years. There's an entirely new engine, a new single player story mode and more on pitch overhauls than international friendly substitutions. There's still a lot to be revealed between now and launch on September 29, but already, from our brief time with FIFA 17, it's clear that there's lots to look forward to. Here are the main changes to the game's starting line-up you should be excited about.
There’s an entirely new engine
FIFA 17 sees the franchise hit the Frostbite engine, which has been used for game such as Battlefield and Need for Speed, for the first time. It's a move that has taken over two years of work, and it shows. Gone is the Ignite engine that debuted just a few years ago, and already the differences are noticeable. Visually things look significantly better than ever, both during gameplay and in cutaway shots.
On the pitch the extra power of Frostbite allows for better physics, and a more realistic simulation, especially when it comes to physicality, as new animation techniques make strong tackles look very painful. Frostbite even allows for dressing rooms and back rooms in stadiums to be faithfully recreated. Without Frostbite many of the other new features wouldn't be possible.
This time, we’re going on a Journey
FIFA 17 has a scripted, single player story mode with cutscenes featuring real motion capture performances from some of the top footballers in the world. The Journey sees players take the role of upcoming wonder kid Alex Hunter, and after a quick intro match you're offered a place at a Premier League club and your career is off to a flying start.
From there on you play through Alex's life, playing games, doing post match interviews, where you chose from multiple dialogue options not too dissimilar to a TellTale game, and watching his journey unfold. There is a pre written narrative, but some things can change based on your performance on the pitch. It's an interesting idea, and one that has us excited to see more of it.
All new set pieces
Set pieces in FIFA haven't changed all that much over the last few years. This time however they've been completely overhauled. Corners and freekicks from a wide or deep position now stay in the same top down view and feature an aiming reticle; power up your kick and the ball will head to the reticle's location. With free kicks you can shoot from, the camera now stays behind the player until the shot goes out of play or is saved, allowing you to see the flight of the ball. And you can move your player around the ball prior to kicking, too.
Penalties have also been overhauled, allowing for more varied runs and shots, and even throw-ins have been tweaked, allowing players to move up and down the line a small amount to get the perfect position.
New collision physics
One of the big changes Frostbite has allowed is the new collision physics. No longer are two player animations selected based on how players collide. Instead, all animations are made procedurally, similar to how ragdoll physics work. This means that crunching tackles now genuinely look painful, while shoulder-to-shoulder battles no longer use the same animation every time. This change also means that players can shield a ball at any time, back into and turn defenders when positioning for a ball dropping out of the air, and step across runners naturally to secure the ball.
New physical modifiers have been added to the left trigger allowing for more physical play at the touch of a button, and they look remarkably natural. EA have managed to climb up the ravine and are waving back at Bethesda from the other side of the uncanny valley.
It’s almost like being in the stadium
© EA Sports
Improved AI
Yes, every year EA Sports claims the artificial intelligence has improved, and every year the computer controlled players on the pitch then immediately proceed to run towards their own goal in a straight line when pressured, and eventually launch the ball into row Z for a needless throw in. This year, however, the improvements are noticeable, especially in the final third.
Team-mates no longer only run straight towards goal, instead going for big diagonals, curved runs and even dropping back into empty space. Amazingly, they also make runs into bad space to create space for other team-mates. It takes a while to notice, but when you do it feels entirely logical, and makes that final ball easier to spot.
Extra ball control
Of all the new features EA has announced, ultimately, having more options when it comes to ball control is perhaps the most important. New features in this department include curved ground passes to arch the ball round the back line, a new modifier for low, driven shots and downwards attacking headers, and driven kicks and throws from the keeper's hands. You also have more control when taming the ball. The new collision physics allow you to bring a ball down from high plays and goal kicks, and even flick it on for yourself like Dennis Bergkamp did all those years ago.
Improved visuals
Okay so this is one thing that you can tell has changed from the initial trailers and should be fairly obvious, but is too good to not mention. The Frostbite engine is once again to thank, along with some groovy new facial capture tech, for the incredible player likenesses. When the camera cuts to them when the ball is out of play they always have a realistic expression and look very close, but not quite lifelike. That being said, when Harry Kane popped up on TV in a cutscene during The Journey, it was genuinely difficult to tell if it was in game or an actual real life clip.
Elsewhere the stadiums look more realistic than ever and the improved weather effects create an incredible atmosphere, though the real test for this will come post-launch – we just want to see how FIFA 17 handles a cold, wet, windy Tuesday night in Stoke.
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