FIFA 15

FIFA has become so much of a heavyweight these day that its closest rival has all but given up the ghost by moving its release window back a full month after the current champion. Pro Evo has given up the chase for licenses, and aims to compete on...

FIFA 15 is a quietly impressive game and a return to form for a series that stuttered slightly upon its next-gen debut last year. As long as EA stick to improving and tweaking the current model they have and don't tear it up to start over, then the next...

Even as FIFA 15 transitions further into a soccer portal with its Match Day hub and news feed widget, it's markedly similar to last year's game at its core, which can (and should) make players question the annual upgrade. Still, even if you argue that EA Sports is now "parking the bus" with FIFA 15, it's a fantastic entry in what's become a very reliable series.

Longtime fans may be restless for new modes of play — particularly an online franchise mode that never seems to materialize — but FIFA's success has provided a strong case for not fixing that which isn't broken. The main difference with FIFA 15 is how it sells what it has changed. FIFA 15 layers on atmospheric changes like television presentation and player reactions to highlight what already works rather than tamper with it.

It’s not perfect, but FIFA 15 is the most exciting FIFA for a couple of years. A drift away from realistic defence towards more aggressive forward play replaces stolid midfield battles with end-to-end drama, and we still get all the great modes – including a stronger career mode and Ultimate Team – that gave FIFA 14 strength in depth.

Such an approach might not have an enormous amount of depth, but that's not so much of an issue for a series that sees one core release every year. If you're looking for football that is exciting, exaggerated, and immensely entertaining, FIFA 15 is the game to get.

After a serious misstep with NHL 15, FIFA 15 is a leap in the right direction for EA Sports. Shrewdly taking advantage of current-gen’s capabilities with added emotional intelligence and improved animations, this is easily the prettiest EA Sports title this year.

FIFA 15 remains one of the most impressively comprehensive sport simulations around, and on new-gen hardware it really is the beautiful game. But while some of FIFA 15’s refinements are worthwhile – and a tangible improvement on FIFA 14 – its flaws stand out all the more. In some ways it’s a step forward, in others a step back - and with Konami’s PES seemingly in resurgent form, EA Sports can’t afford to take its eye off the ball.