"FIFA 16" is like a morning cup of coffee - you drink it every day, you know the taste by heart, but without it, the day just doesn't feel right. It's another entry in the legendary football series, and of course, I got hooked all over again. How could I not?
The main new feature this time was the addition of women's national teams. Yep, for the first time in "FIFA" history, female players hit the pitch. Though I'll be honest - I never actually played as them. Just never got around to it. As usual, I dove into Career Mode, the Champions League, and didn't look back.
They also introduced something called the FIFA Trainer - a kind of in-game assistant that gives you tips during matches. I vaguely remember it being there, but I never really used it. I prefer to play on my own without the extra help. After nearly 15 years with "FIFA", who needs a tutorial?
The developers proudly promised a bunch of small gameplay tweaks - improved dribbling, better balance between offense and defense, ball physics "almost like real life". Honestly? After "FIFA 14" (I skipped "15"), I didn't feel much difference. The ball's still round, the ref's still weird, Messi's still dribbling past everyone, and my defender is still clearing the ball out for a throw-in at the worst possible time.
There were some nice little touches, though. Referees now spray a vanishing line on the pitch for free kicks - love that! A small detail, but a satisfying one. And I remember they added new weather conditions too. Besides the usual sun, rain, and snow, we got "overcast," "partly cloudy," "fog," and even "downpour." It didn't really affect gameplay much, but it gave the visuals a more atmospheric tone.
Pre-season in Career Mode now includes mini-tournaments. At first, I was like "Whoa, cool!" - but by the second season, I was fast-forwarding through them to get to the real league action. Nothing groundbreaking, but it added some variety.
The graphics? Business as usual. Didn't notice major changes - familiar faces, nice stadiums, green grass, dynamic weather - what more do you need? *FIFA 16* plays smooth and easy, just like always.
In the end, it's another "FIFA". A good one. Familiar, comforting - like an old sports jacket that may not be trendy, but it's cozy and well-loved. I played it more out of habit than excitement for any game-changing innovations. But it's a good habit - a night match, a last-minute win, a goal off a deflection or the post - and it feels like a game night well spent.
7 out of 10.
