FIFA 16: Ultimate Team is a game that lives and dies by its monetization. Where previous entries in the series had a bevy of modes that soccer video games will have, this latest entry in EA's soccer series scraps them all for the Ultimate Team mode being the exclusive focus of the game. This is about building squads of players obtained through card packs, earning coins from matches, competing in seasons and tournaments, trying to get rewards and buy more card packs to build deeper and better teams in the quest to form the Ultimate Team. While the core game is better than ever, and the Ultimate Team mode has its perks, the shift to just being about this monetized meta-game hurts FIFA 16. For the more hands-on approach, FIFA 16 Ultimate Team provides several options for controlling your footballers on the pitch. The casual controls give you just the basics, while the complete controls offer more precision, particularly with the weight and location of passes. There are touch and swipe controls too, but I found myself never really using any of them except for tapping on players to switch on defense. This is a game that cries out for a gamepad, and that’s probably the best way to play, provided you enjoy figuring out what the buttons do by trial and error.

 

Competition modes: There are multiple ways to put together a team and compete in this game. Of course, you can use the conventional setup with Classic Controls that let you participate firsthand in the action. Alternatively, you can play in Quick Simulation mode, which requires you to put together the best possible team and then sit back and watch the results. Responsive controls: If you opt for Classic Controls, you'll be impressed with the responsiveness and intuitive layout they bring with them. Buttons are clearly labeled and laid-out for convenience without getting in the way of the action on the field. This is especially true on the iPad, although even playing on the smaller iPhone screen is an overall satisfying experience.

 

FIFA 16 puts a large amount of emphasis upon the intricacies of attacking play, with ball control being pushed to the forefront this time around meaning that players such as Ronaldo and Neymar, who have a knack for humiliating opponents, now feel more powerful and vital than ever. It's continuously rewarding to weave through defenders with the ball still in your possession, even if being on the receiving end of such play can lean into frustration more often than in previous games. This is due to defending now being more realistic than ever before, with players tugging on each others' shirts whilst chasing after the ball, the AI being unafraid to go in for tough, crucial challenges and an emphasis being placed upon physicality, with sturdier players being able to push and shrug opponents off of the ball. 

 

In Career Mode, I am currently testing out some ideas I’ve mentioned before on Twitter and otherwise to better the Houston Dynamo. Unfortunately, I’m unable to perform any transfers for the first 2-3 months of matches due to the Major League Soccer season not lining up with international transfer windows. I do, however, get the benefit of a healthy Tony Cascio and Mark Sherrod. FIFA 16’s Ultimate Team offering may be the most addicting mode of them all, though. Combining the nerd-like hordes of card game collecting and the human desire to constantly improve, this mode had it all. Even when you aren’t at your console, you can log into the FUT 16 Web App on a computer or smartphone and manage your squad.

 

Part of FIFA 16’s beauty is that some players have to re-learn the game. Do you balance ball possession and dribbling or do you decide to go for a quick strike? Dribbling is less clumsy. FIFA 16 gives a slight edge to those who can stay on the ball, but strength in jostling near the goal can turn a good through ball into a goal. The skill moves have changed and players can now try to execute the flying sole of the shoe back kick goal. The look of the players is more refined, although some players like Sven Bender seem to tower over their opponents. Not only is it more realistic, but with balls more likely to be found bobbling in and around the box and back off the post, there actually tends to be more excitement thanks to an increase in goal mouth action. Unfortunately, for all of the improvements to the presentation, there are areas in which FIFA 16 can improve.