Let me state the obvious: "FIFA 20" is still the same old "FIFA", a clone of itself. But here's the thing-I skipped the last two installments, and when I finally launched this one, I realized: oh, they've polished up the graphics, made the menus brighter, and the whole thing feels smoother and more modern. In terms of gameplay, though, it's almost the same. Honestly, that was fine with me. Why fix what already runs well on the pitch?
One of the main additions is the story-driven "Volta" mode. It's basically street football-less about tactics, more about flair, tricks, and spectacle. The storyline itself is pretty simple, but it's lively, engaging in places, and you can follow the journey of the new team without cringing at the dialogue or presentation.
And "Volta" itself turned out to be a surprisingly cool feature for me. The game throws you into diverse arenas around the world: concrete courtyards, rooftops, neon-lit hangars, even custom spots right in the heart of big cities. The football here feels totally different: fast-paced, flashy, full of tricks and swagger-just as it should be. I got hooked for a while, but being a loyal fan of classic football, I eventually returned to the green pitch and a proper eleven-on-eleven match. "Volta" is a great seasoning, but not the main course.
The player creation tool has also gotten a bit deeper. You can spend some time tinkering with looks and tailoring a player to your liking. Still, I have to admit, the faces look a bit plastic. They're different from the generic low-tier players but still have that "factory-made" feel. At least it's a small step toward better customization.
Career Mode is alive, though it's still stuck in some old habits. Now there are press conferences-you can play the mini-Mourinho, answering questions from journalists. But honestly, the impact is minimal. Sure, the "motivation" sliders for players shift slightly, but it doesn't feel like it changes much on the field.
What did impress me was the player development system. If you put a young player in the starting lineup, they'll grow, gain experience, and improve. Leave them on the bench, and progress stalls. Just like real life. These mechanics have been refined a bit, which makes you think carefully about your squad and monitor your players' form.
The graphics also delivered. Everything looks more lifelike now-the grass feels alive, the ball bounces more naturally, and players move more realistically. Goal celebrations, facial expressions, stadium lighting-all upgraded, all pleasing to the eye.
"FIFA 20" feels like meeting an old friend who hasn't changed much but now wears a sharper suit. After skipping a couple of years, I enjoyed my return to the world of virtual football: a bit prettier, a bit more polished, with a couple of new tricks up its sleeve. Not a revolution, but a solid evolution.
7 out of 10.
