FIFA 22 Review: The King Is Still Here, but the Crown Is Starting to Slip
FIFA 22, EA’s latest football simulation title, marks a significant shift for the franchise. It’s the first FIFA title in eight years to launch across console generations simultaneously, and while the new-gen consoles boast impressive features like Hypermotion Technology, it’s the older consoles that many players will be experiencing. This review, however, focuses on the Xbox One version, highlighting the changes and challenges that come with this transition. Despite some undeniable improvements, FIFA 22 feels like a step away from the realistic football experience it once presented, leaning further into arcade-like gameplay. The question arises: is this the beginning of the end for FIFA’s dominance?
Gameplay: An Arcade Blitz With Realistic Flaws
FIFA 22 introduces a wave of smaller tweaks across the pitch, but these seemingly subtle adjustments have shifted gameplay towards an arcade-style experience, particularly when it comes to scoring. The days of precise finishing and strategic positioning seem to be fading as goals from improbable angles and near-impossible strikes become alarmingly frequent. Even with the much-touted “rewrite” of goalkeeper AI, complete with over 600 new animations, the sheer volume of bizarre goals scored against them makes their performance questionable.
While the shooting mechanics might feel like a step back, other areas of gameplay see improvements. Ball physics are arguably more realistic, players move with greater agility, and driven crosses feel more controlled and less overpowered. However, passing has become a bit more demanding, requiring increased precision in directing your pass, especially for long-range through balls.
Defensive gameplay sees similar shifts. Team mate contain, a mechanic that has been gradually weakened in previous titles, is further hindered in FIFA 22. This mechanic now incorporates a stamina element, meaning that it’s not as reliable as before. You’ll find yourself relying more on manual switching, jockeying, and tackling.
The new defensive aggression is a double-edged sword. Players can be more aggressive, nudging and pushing opponents to a degree that feels unrealistic. This can be extremely frustrating for opponents, but it also means that fouls are rarely called, even when they should be. Meanwhile, the AI has developed a habit of shrugging off tackles as if they were made of rubber.
Finally, the infamous rubber banding AI, the phenomenon where AI opponents become increasingly proficient as the match progresses, unfortunately seems worse than ever, especially on higher difficulty levels. This makes online play feel like a constant uphill battle, leaving players feeling like they’re fighting against a system rather than their opponent.
Career Mode: New Features, Familiar Frustrations
FIFA 22’s Career Mode boasts some much-needed additions. The Player Career mode, long criticized for its lack of depth, now allows players to come on as substitutes, finally bridging the gap with PES.
The most significant change comes in the form of player growth, now handled through an XP and skill point system. This gives players more control over their character’s development, including the ability to tailor their stats via a revamped skill tree. There’s also a new perk system, introducing mini-superpowers that can be acquired to boost various attributes, offering players a further level of customization.
Manager Career mode embraces the return of Create a Club, a feature that allows you to build your own club and compete in various leagues. The level of customization is extensive, letting you create everything from your kit, crest, and stadium to your team’s identity and even the league you compete in.
Despite the positive additions, FIFA 22’s Career Mode still falls short in certain areas. The match objectives remain largely unrealistic and predictable, while the lack of a real-time “come on as a sub” experience feels like a missed opportunity.
Volta: Arcade Fun or Superpower Overload?
EA Sports continues to invest in Volta, the street football mode, although its budget seems to have been trimmed. Gone are the celebrity cameos and the extensive recruiting system that were so prominent in FIFA 21. In their place is a renewed focus on individual gameplay, with Volta Squads replacing the team-based recruiting aspect.
Gameplay in Volta has leaned even further into the arcade style with the introduction of the Skill Meter, a mechanic that allows players to rack up points for performing fancy passes, nutmegs, and other flashy plays. These points can be used to multiply the value of your next goal, potentially allowing you to score two, three, or even four goals at once. While this mechanic adds a chaotic twist, it sadly feels like a gimmick in practice.
Volta’s Signature Abilities, effectively superpowers, are a source of frustration. These abilities, such as Power Strike for boosted shots, Pure Pace for increased speed, and Aggressive Tackle for devastating tackles, feel incredibly unbalanced, allowing players to dominate using overpowered abilities.
Ultimate Team: Same Old Pay-to-Win
FIFA’s most popular mode, Ultimate Team (FUT), gets some minor adjustments with the introduction of seasons for Division Rivals, resetting progression at the start of each season. Despite this, FUT’s reliance on pay-to-win mechanics remains unchanged. FIFA Points are still available for purchase with real money, and while pack previews return, their limited availability still raises concerns about loot boxes and their potential to exploit players. No meaningful changes in this regard only serve to reinforce the perception that EA prioritizes profits over fair gameplay.
Final Verdict: A Crown in Need of Polishing
FIFA 22 is a game with both positive and negative aspects. The improvements to areas like goalkeeping, ball physics, and Career Mode are welcomed, and the revamped Volta mode offers a more chaotic, arcade-style experience. However, the transition to a new generation of consoles has unfortunately been accompanied by a dramatic increase in arcade-like gameplay. The unrealistic goals, overpowered defensive aggression, and rampant rubber banding AI detract from the authenticity of the football experience. And the continued reliance on pay-to-win mechanics in Ultimate Team is undoubtedly concerning. While FIFA 22 remains the king of football simulations, its crown is starting to slip. A more significant shift toward fair and balanced gameplay is needed if FIFA wants to hold onto its throne.
