FIFA 17: Full Review of the Game, Including New 'The Journey' Feature

FIFA 17 mimics the development of modern football remarkably well. It’s relentlessly authentic to weekend broadcast coverage—from graphical overlays to familiar chants echoing through meticulously reconstructed arenas—but may leave purists of the sport disappointed with a lack of match sharpness on the pitch. Essentially, this title offers the Premier League experience.

That’s not to say FIFA 17 isn’t entertaining, though. Just like the English game, matches are often enjoyable due to the proceedings not being as tight as they perhaps could be. EA Canada has slowed things down compared to last year, allowing possession to progress more methodically than the pinball style of FIFA 16.

Keeping the ball and waiting for opportunities to arise is now a legitimate tactic made possible by increasingly forward-thinking AI who strive to take advantage of open space. Defenders are also quicker to close gaps, meaning incisive passes are key to getting a clean break on goal.

Clever players will use their body to gain a physical advantage, and although a millisecond determines whether an attempted tackle is a success or a foul, both sides’ desire to win the ball means you’re exposed to more one-on-one duels across the park.

The decreasing amount of space means you’re also forced to hold possession up more readily. Quick shifts of body position and speed are important but serve to underline one of FIFA 17’s biggest disappointments: close control. While Pro Evolution Soccer 17 allows players to dab the ball around opponents—maintaining precision when an explosion of pace is added—FIFA is more wobbly and open for frustration.

There’s little individuality for the biggest stars and most feel as if they are sprinting across a tight-rope while trying to stay within grasp of the ball. Granted, this allows the defending team a better chance of sticking a successful foot in, but there’s still a feeling of playground football rather than world-class sport.

The addition of the Frostbite Engine—which powers games such as Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, Dragon Age: Inquisition and most famously the Battlefield series—undoubtedly produces the best looking FIFA ever, but the animation has barely moved on in years.

However, the action is spiced up with a handful of useful changes. Set pieces are now open to being more creative, with corners and penalties receiving an upgrade that provides further options to show your personality.

EA Sports

Corners are dictated by a cursor that needs to be delicately held in place to ensure the kick ends where you want. You’re given the option to drive the ball in or loop a high cross into the area, providing greater tactical scope for players who put in the practice.

Penalties are also now open to greater interpretation—forcing you to consider your angle of approach, followed by direction and power in one swift movement—eliminating FIFA 16’s feel that each penalty follows a limited template.

The additional variety is welcome and now more conducive to skilled players making their mark. Such changes are gutsy, as it’s always a risk to implement a different formula to what sports gamers are used to, but they pay off well for EA.

The same can be said for "The Journey," which adds a playable story to the series for the first time. This is similar in setup to Fight Night Champion’s brilliant equivalent from 2011, in which boxer Andre Bishop’s rags-to-riches story saw him overcome a prison sentence and his father’s legacy to establish his name in the ring.

EA Sports

Alex Hunter is the star in FIFA 17, and although EA has opted to ditch the "started from the bottom" cliche, his family also have a mixed history. His grandfather is widely considered a legend, while his dad’s career was cut short due to injury, meaning Alex faces a constant battle to establish his own path. A less-than-perfect upbringing, combined with rising expectations and demands, means this mode remains compelling for the most part.

Hunter's development is charted alongside his best friend and other fictional characters who integrate into any of the squads you choose to represent. Dialogue is sharp and the plot remains steady, meshing cinematic cutscenes between key moments throughout the season. Training exercises allow players to improve Hunter’s skills across all aspects of the sport but at times make the plot’s unfolding feel a tad slow.

However, the drama that plays out is a gripping, soap opera-styled narrative that will remain in the memory. EA deserve to be commended for taking a shot at something different and once again showing there is room for well-produced stories in virtual sports.

Elsewhere, FIFA 17’s variation of game modes will be instantly familiar to anyone who has spent time with the series in recent years. Ultimate Team is bolstered by FUT Champions—which tasks players with winning a weekday tournament for a shot at the weekend league’s big prizes—providing more competitive options for those who need it.

Online play occasionally emphasises the aforementioned problems with dribbling and a lack of control, but also cements the notion that FIFA 17 doesn’t need to match PES 2017’s on-pitch quality to thoroughly entertain.

Indeed, both series now have notable merits on which they stand, meaning there’s undoubtedly room for two in your collection. PES’ gameplay is further ahead than it’s ever been, but on the flipside, FIFA’s authenticity, presentation and wealth of game modes also trumps its competitor more unanimously than ever.

Those aspects are extremely valuable to FIFA’s audience and shouldn’t be looked down upon with snobbery from the PES crowd, as ultimately, the combined effort of both series' ensures 2017 is the strongest year for football games in recent memory.

Score: 8.5/10