FIFA 16 continues to have the most complete career modes

The lack of attention given to the single-player modes is clearly because EA’s focus is on the ever popular FIFA 16 Ultimate Team coins, which on the Xbox One also has the Ultimate Team Legends retro players. The community elements have been expanded again this year, with loan players now making it much easier to acquire that superstar striker you’ve always wanted. You can create dream team line-ups before you buy anyone and all the share and comment facilities mean you can chat and strategise with friends in what has become literally a game in itself.

When you do create a chance you need to take it, because two things have changed: hitting the target is harder and the goalkeepers are better. Defenders are very good at blocking shots and goalies react more quickly to them, so you often need to use power or inch-perfect placement to beat them. Too close to the keeper’s body and they’ll get a hand to it. The better ones will even manage to get something on the ball when it’s gone past them.They don’t hold everything, but there seems to be less pushing it back directly into the path of another striker than in FIFA 16. They still remain suspect at claiming balls dropping from high but in general keepers perform better, with a much larger range of saves contributing significantly to the more lifelike feel of the game. Only many months of play will reveal exactly how lifelike they are.

Similarly, the much-hyped new “next gen” FIFA 16 goalkeepers come as a colossal disappointment. Sometimes their behavior is simply amazing, like when they quickly rush strikers who were making runs that you didn’t even see coming. Other times, they’ll cradle the ball as if babysitting it off the pitch for a thrown-in… even when they’re right in front of their own goal with attackers running at them like lunatics. It’s another case of two steps forward, two steps back. The Pro mode, for its part, may not be as extensive as the version found in NBA 2K, but simple to use and elegant in its execution, with plenty of unlockable customization options and an appropriate amount of manager feedback.

That accessibility is matched by its depth. Top to bottom, FIFA 16 account continues to have the most complete career modes out of all the sports games, despite receiving minimal improvements. Manager mode is a masterpiece, a lighter version of Football Manager in which players have personalities, storylines emerge organically, and narratives are tracked throughout the season. There's nothing quite like the Transfer deadline when sweating out negotiations with FC Porto as the clock ticks nearer deadline, followed by the rush of adrenaline when you get the message that the deal is complete.

The penalty area is also home to another far-reaching tweak to the gameplay. There are many more deflections, rebounds and scrappy goalmouth scrambles than in previous FIFA games. Given the newfound intelligence of your strike partners, this tends to mean more goals scored by well-positioned poachers feeding off rebounds but it also makes for some comical, and glorious, looping deflections spinning in over the ‘keeper’s head. But oh, when it all works, it’s delicious. I lost count of the times I shouted “Xbox, record that!” or hit the Share button. Numerous times I visibly jumped from my seat in excitement, the swelling of the crowd cheering me on. Despite it all, there are moments of absolute gaming bliss to be had here.

FIFA 16 gameplay remains solid and EA Canada continues to deliver the right mix between a Sim experience and flat out fun. Game pace is fast and after months of play time, it does seem a bit too easy to score from long distance but in no way did that make my experience less enjoyable. The other major change is Concept Squads, which is an interface that allows gamers to build their perfect squad and what the going rate is for players. As these players become available, the spots are filled and the total number of coins needed based upon the average going rate will update. It’s also a fantastic little tool to remind gamers of what they need and who the best options are, especially for those building multiple squads based upon country, league, or club.

How players of all skill levels are accommodated also remains impressive. The hardcore player with talent for nuance and tricky maneuvers will be just as satisfied as the casual player who relies on less complex controls and strategies. FIFA 16 does seem to favor experts a touch, though. High-level players tend to manually switch between footballers.