FIFA 15 Impressions (PS3/360)

[redsox4evur]

Quote: Originally Posted by 2KUte

You really have to earn your goals in this game because CPU defenders really do go hard to clear the ball even on Semi-Pro difficulty. Some of my old tricks from Fifa 13 simply don't work because the defense is so much more improved at reacting aggressively to clear the ball. I like that about this game so far. Goal keepers reactions are better as well.

Yep my main strategy from 14 hasn't worked out too well either, which was driving up field with my wings or outside mids and just firing crosses into the box for headers or taking the ball into the box and picking a corner. That is also tougher this picking the corners. And also in my last game in my career I had a breakaway with Lewandowski against Schalke and I tried to chip the goalie and he saved it. So it definitely harder to score goals in 15.

[indiblue]

I've played close to 15 games on kick-off and 12 in career on my PS3, and I'm highly impressed.

Visuals: The layout is much more appealing with a black theme. The icons are crisper, the lines are neater, and the flow is better. No lag in menus like last year The kits look magnificent and real. They get muddy, they ripple, they have sheen, it's quite appealing.

Cinematics/animations: Subbing animations remain mostly the same. A nice touch is when a player scores his first goal for a club, there's a small close-up of him after the replay. Replays themselves look much cleaner and appealing, not static like previous years. I'm a huge fan of the new Enhanced Broadcast camera angle, too.

Gameplay: Excellent. No differences between kick-off and career as far as I can tell. Haven't got to FUT yet thanks to dodgy servers. Tackling, while still easy, is less mechanical. The movement is a good balance between pace and momentum. Dribblers will have a ball with this year's game. Strength gives you solidity, but weaker (and shorter) players can glide through challenges. Finesse and headers are still quite easy, but sliders can sort that out. Loving the new first touch and ball behaviour, very realistic. Small glitches in movement, but nothing too bad. Default shot speed is too fast, default user passing is too error-prone on manual. Both easily fixed.

Team Management: Love the team sheets option, where you can save different lineups. What I enjoy most, though, is the customisation of each role's behaviour. No longer do I have a 4-3-3 where the CM doesn't stay back, or a 4-4-2 where both strikers keep trying to get forward at the same time. IMO this is where games will be won and lost, as you can tailor each position's movement according to how you want to play. Visually, it's much less drab and way faster.

Others: Small touches go a long way. If you start a career with Barcelona, you can't use Suarez until late October just like IRL. If you start a career with a club that's only got two first-team centre backs, your scout will have a list of possible buys ready for you when you first start up. Player searches are much faster, the overall layout looks very clean and organised.

Soundtrack: Excellent. Maybe 6-8 songs I don't like, easily turned off from the playlist. Some excellent tracks this year including "Walk" by Kwabs, "Push" by A-Trak, "Utopia" by Bang La Decks, and "Stevie" by Kasabian.

Recommended settings/siders:

10 minute halves
World Class/Legendary
Slow
Full manual, analog sprint off

Sliders (User/CPU)
Sprint: 45/45
Acceleration: 49/49
Shot Error: 54/54
Pass Error: 47/65
Shot Speed: 45/45
Pass Speed: 50/50
Injury Frequency: 60/60
Injury Severity: 40/40
GK Ability: 50/50
Marking: 50/50
Run Frequency: 50/50
Line Height: 50/50
Line Length: 50/50
Line Width: 50/50
Fullbacks: 51/51
First Touch Control: 48/53
Power Bar (User only): Up to you, I prefer mid-50s

Verdict: 7/10 out of the box and 9/10 with setting and slider modifications. Easily one of the most enjoyable FIFA editions in a long time, and by far the most visually appealing, even if player torsos look slightly elongated. I was initially hesitant to pick up a copy, but I'm glad I did. My only fear is that EA will release a patch that changes how the game plays, which I wish could just be an optional thing rather than mandatory.

[TechTube]

Fifa is awesome

[dubcity]

Switched to Legacy defending because I just couldn't deal with CPU attack on WC difficulty, and I didn't feel like messing with the sliders. Jockey press works well for me. Contain seems broken this year, mostly because dribbling is so OP, and, if you don't close down perfectly, dribblers will go past you every time.

Things I still have issues with:

Goalkeepers are too good, but I guess that is a necessary evil with the shift towards arcade gameplay and tons of shots.

Still way to easy to blow past defenders.

CPU controlled full-backs leave their position too often, and they take forever to get back in line. This leaves holes for easy through balls right down the middle.

Overall, though, feeling better about the game. It's basically just a return to FIFA 11 style game play. Plus. there are actually some fouls.

[ScottM96]

So quick question - do us old-gen users still get the BPL presentation or is that next gen exclusive?

[redsox4evur]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottM96

So quick question - do us old-gen users still get the BPL presentation or is that next gen exclusive?

Nope that is next gen exclusive sadly.

[ChangeUp106]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottM96

So quick question - do us old-gen users still get the BPL presentation or is that next gen exclusive?

Broadcast graphics are next gen only.

However last gen did get all of the stadiums and I believe the players' faces (at the very least they look great).

[jfrost32]

Been playing fifa 15 since it came out and I've played about 20 games or so. I've been using a hybrid of sliders and I love the game
Sucks they completely took out the epl coverage this year but I guess they have to have the next gen different. Animations and graphics are noticeably better. The cpu actually attacks whenever it can and it hard to beat these keepers. I have seen a fair amount of fouls compared to 14 and I have found myself in better situations for fks which is great. The thing I have noticed that I hate is the open space in the middle and how dumb my AI team mates are but I can look past that. The big thing I've noticed is the speed of the players. When you have a slow cb against the cpu and you don't cover him youre dead