FIFA 14: Breaking Down the Features Available in Newly Released Demo

The demo for FIFA 14 was released on Tuesday. There are a good amount of options available that will allow experienced FIFA gamers to get a glimpse of what's new in the realm of gameplay, but the interface still caters to gamers who may be new to the series.

If you haven't downloaded it yet on Xbox Live or on the Playstation Network, here's what you can expect.

Playable Clubs

• Manchester City
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Borussia Dortmund (BVB)
• AC Milan
• Paris Saint-Germain
• FC Barcelona
• NY Red Bulls
• Boca Juniors

All eight of the teams are playable in exhibition matches. Home and away kits are available for each club with the exception of AC Milan and BVB. These two clubs also have an alternate kit that is selectable. 

I chose BVB just to keep from picking FC Barcelona as a reflex. I've always had success playing with Robert Lewandowski in FIFA games, so I figured it was worth a shot. Here is my first game with the demo against Lionel Messi and Barcelona.

Skill Level, Practice Arena and Skills Challenge

When the demo begins, you'll have an opportunity to pick your skill level. You can choose between beginner, intermediate or advanced. Once you've selected the skill level, you'll be asked which of the eight available clubs is your favorite.

Selecting a favorite simply means this club will be the default club selected in exhibition matches.

As you may have seen in the video, you still have an opportunity to perform the skills mini-games before the match begins. It is a good way to learn some of the things necessary to succeed in the game.

If you need to hone your skills even more, the practice arena is also open in the demo. It functions as it has in past years, with one player having free rein with the ball.

You can try new moves as well as gain the feel for the power and accuracy on shots.

Ultimate Team

EA Sports also gives you a taste of the ever-popular game mode in the demo. There is a tutorial on the team chemistry system and you'll be given a temporary team to play with.

So as to not give anyone an unfair advantage, the Ultimate Team you have in the demo is only for the early preview. You'll have to start over once the game is released in stores. Were this not in place, fanatics could log insane hours with the demo and gain an edge against other Ultimate Team gamers.

Even as a preview, this is still a good way to get acquainted with the mode if you haven't played it. If you are familiar with it, it is a good way to learn about the new additions.

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