"FIFA 20": revised ball physics and top street football
24.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
FIFA improves details and moves up to twenty. Are these reasons enough to buy the game? In Wednesday's 11am livestream, Phil, Simon, Raphi and I show how we're pursuing the issue and keeping our nerves in check - or not.
A review of "FIFA 20" is easy enough to write: just copy last year's review, replace the 19 with 20 and you're all set. Because regardless of what I write, you're going to buy the game anyway. Or you won't. However, nothing can dissuade you from your opinion. It's like that with the FIFA series.
So what motivates is curiosity. Curiosity to know, if there is really something new behind the marketing terms "Dynamic 1v1", "Active Touch Tackling" or "Composed Finishing".
It's all about curiosity.
What I can tell you: I have no idea what these terms mean. But "FIFA 20" has nonetheless undergone a few improvements.
The innovations explained without marketing jargon
FIFA regulars already know this: each FIFA cycle starts with a game that feels slower, softer and therefore more realistic. Then EA patches the game over the months towards an arcade simulation, which is far less realistic, but probably more accessible.
"FIFA 20" is no exception to this rule. Or at least for the moment.
In other words, it's slower, softer and therefore more realistic. As usual. I hope it stays that way this time. I've noticed three things that EA have worked particularly well on:
- Ball physics
- Ball control on the run
- Inside foot strike
If I could steal anything from Konami's PES series for FIFA, it would be the ball physics. There, the ball really feels like a medium-sized, heavy object made of leather that has to be hit with force to reach its goal. In contrast, the ball in FIFA looked more like the pink rubber balls we all know from primary school gym lessons.
In "Fifia 20", this changes dramatically. At last - at last! - - the ball physics can be described as "realistic". Whether it's passing or shooting: the round object that has to enter the big rectangle behaves just like it does on the football pitch. And in my opinion, the revised ball physics are responsible for many of the changes in gameplay; logical consequences.
For example, passes made while running. In previous versions of FIFA, it wasn't a problem to run through the opposition's midfield with deep passes. In "FIFA 20", you'll have to be much more careful with the use of these passes in midfield. They are much longer and can easily be intercepted by the opposition. But it's much more satisfying to be able to use new feints and send your full-back off to foil opposing teams. Pure, unadulterated joy.
And while we're at it: as soon as your defender gets close enough to the back line, the full-backs come in. The balls have a much more realistic and dangerous trajectory into the penalty area. Or at least that's the impression I get. I've noticed that I've been able to score more headed goals than before. But I still have the impression that the balls are arriving well in the goal area.
Volta football and other game modes
So, I didn't notice much new in the gameplay. Except perhaps the ability to play extra passes between a pass: press the pass or deep pass key twice in succession.
What is really new is Volta mode. Basically, it's like "Fifa Street 3". Something the community has wanted for years and never got. Until now.
And here I must - contrary to the current general trend - praise EA: the Volta mode is so complete that EA could easily have released a separate game at full price; everyone would have happily bought it. Whereas Volta isn't completely different from 'FIFA 20'. It's a bit like a doped-up version of FIFA 20.
But who would have thought that the same gameplay mechanics - with a few small additions to the gameplay - could be so much fun on a small field marked out with stripes? EA also brings you a pale copy of 'The Journey' in story mode with a street football twist.
The "house rules" are still there. The extremely entertaining Mystery Ball mode is available here: every time the ball goes out, it gets a random attribute boost - shooting, passing, dribbling or speed - which is transferred to the team in charge of the ball. When you have the shooting boost, you almost always score a goal in the most curious way, in almost every position and from every distance. When you've got the speed boost, you'll be up against the opposition in no time.
The game gets even crazier when you have all the boosts at once. That's when you see how much your friends love you.
Roundup: it's more of the same, but for the better
This year "FIFA 20" hasn't really broken any new ground. The changes too small the changes made to the gameplay could have fitted into a larger patch. Nevertheless, FIFA remains my simulation of choice again this year. The complete package with gameplay, modes and licence pack that includes dozens of leagues and stadiums is simply brilliant.
Yes, FIFA is stagnating, but it's still cool.
"FIFA 20" will be available from 27 September for PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Unless you've bought the Champions Edition version. In that case, you can already play it today.
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»
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