FIFA 21 Review

Introduction

For years, FIFA has had no real competition in the football simulation market. Despite efforts from Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) to catch up, FIFA’s focus on modes like Ultimate Team and Pro Club has kept it ahead in sales and popularity. But does FIFA’s dominance lead to innovation or stagnation? Each new FIFA game costs $60, yet often brings only minor updates. Does FIFA 21 continue this trend, or does it offer meaningful improvements?

Gameplay Improvements

When you launch FIFA 21, the first thing you’ll notice is that the menus look almost the same as last year’s, with minor color changes. Once you jump into a match, you’ll see that graphical updates are minimal. However, there are some important gameplay improvements:

Agile Dribbling

This feature makes player movements more responsive, allowing you to easily maneuver in one-on-one situations using the right stick. It’s particularly useful for skilled dribblers, making the gameplay feel smoother.

Assisted Headers

You can now enable or disable assisted headers in the settings. This gives you more control over the direction and accuracy of headers, allowing for some spectacular goals. This change addresses the lack of effective headers in recent FIFA editions.

Creative Runs

This is the most impactful addition in FIFA 21. Creative Runs allow you to control off-the-ball movements of your teammates, giving you more options for passes and space exploitation. You can direct players using L1 and the right stick, or use Player Lock (R3 + L3) to take full control of a teammate. While this adds a layer of complexity, it also makes the game feel more immersive, like you’re truly on the pitch.

Game Modes

For casual players, FIFA’s various modes are the main attraction. Here’s what’s new in some of the key modes:

Career Mode

Career Mode has seen some much-needed updates:

• You can now jump into simulated matches at any point to take control, whether to take a penalty or change the outcome of the game.
• There’s a new “Financial Takeover” option, simulating the scenario of your club being bought by a wealthy investor, giving you a larger transfer budget.
• The loan-to-buy option has been added, a realistic addition from modern football transfers.
• You can change a player’s position through training, allowing for greater tactical flexibility.

Volta Mode

Volta now includes online multiplayer with friends, a feature that was strangely missing last year. While this is a welcome addition, Volta still lacks the depth needed to become a standout mode. The story mode, titled “The Debut,” lasts around 4 hours but feels underwhelming. It’s a missed opportunity to deliver something as engaging as The Journey, the RPG-inspired story mode introduced in FIFA 17.

Ultimate Team

Ultimate Team remains the most popular mode, and FIFA 21 brings several improvements:

• Co-op play is now available in Squad Battles, Rivals, and Friendlies, adding a social element to the mode.
• Icon Swaps have returned, allowing players to unlock legendary icons by completing challenges.
• Division Rivals now offers better rewards for ranking up.
• You can play Squad Battles matches at any time, removing the pressure of missing matches.
• You can customize and build your own stadium, adding a personal touch to your team’s environment.

Strengths

• Significant gameplay improvements, including Creative Runs and better dribbling mechanics.
• Online multiplayer added to Volta mode.
• Improvements to Career Mode, especially with financial options and player development.
• Quality-of-life changes in Ultimate Team enhance the overall experience.

Weaknesses

• Still priced at $60 despite minor annual improvements.
• Goalkeepers’ inconsistency remains an issue.
• Some defenders feel overpowered, leading to unrealistic gameplay moments.

Final Rating: 8/10

Where to Buy

For PlayStation 4: Click here
For Xbox One: Click here