FIFA 14

[Turrable]

No point bumping the old thread might as well start the new one (I assume we're still keeping this here and not the game forum but that's up to Zomp), anyone play the demo yet? Supposedly pace is nerfed considerably, which sounds nice. Other than that reviews seem mixed and they're probably saving the good stuff for November and the new consoles. 
 
Futhead has all the new player stats and info: http://www.futhead.com/ And here's a list of specific player rating changes: http://www.futhead.com/14/
 
 
 
 

 

[teddykgb]

Played some of the demo last night.  Nerfed doesn't even begin to describe what they did to pace.  Every player feels like he's playing with lead boots now compared to Fifa 13.  I'm not sure that I'm complaining about it, but it really feels like every player is playing in quicksand.
 
Other observations:
 
the lobbed through ball is no longer nearly as effective, CPU defenders dealt with it with relative ease
the driven through ball saw surprising success for me, it wasn't an automatic thing the defender could deal with
which leads to: the Passing AI was so much better.  When you make a short pass to a player (like a FB) making the run, instead of playing it right to his feet and halting all his momentum, you pass it in front and let him run onto it.  You can really build up play nicely
the "pull back" move they added in the last game is now a "destroy the opponent and take the ball" button.  It was nearly useless in Fifa13, but in the demo at least it felt like easy mode for winning the ball back.
near post shots still go in
Sergio Aguero is a God
 
Overall, everyone's moving slower and I think the defenders are going to be much improved as a result... probably going to have to build up to goals a lot more, relying less on a counter over the top that you run onto.  Really need to find some tutorial about the new dribbling, it feels pretty good but I don't know what's causing me to make mistakes versus good dribbles.  Had more success with skills moves than I usually do.

 

[Zomp]

Yeah its incredibly slow compared to 13 but it felt like more of a simulation, which feels nice.  Every year when the demo comes out I say, "why did they change a b and c" but once I get used to it I can see why and I love it...this feels no different.
 
One nice thing now is you don't have to hold L1 (LB) to perform skill moves with skilfull players.

 

[NHbeau]

I know most of you guys won't give a shit, but career mode is my bread and butter as my kids have hijacked my live account for FUT games. As such I have found a couple bugs that for us offline players I hope they fix. Your match form as a keeper is pretty much impossible to keep above a 4. It's bugged, has been forever and EA hasn't fixed it yet. I could go on about any position that isn't a forward playing CAM or a pure striker but meh.

 

[Turrable]

One of the dumb little things I hope they fix is the commentary bugs in online seasons, like when you need a couple points to get out of the relegation zone and start losing and Martin Tyler's like "oh no their dreams are crushed relegation is imminent" even though there 6 games left in the season.

 

[soxfan121]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qcDdj0S81A
 
EDIT: The goal celebrations. Including Ozil-in-an-Arsenal jersey playing pattycake with Walcott, two options for celebrating a Cristiano Ronaldo goal and Cavani doing Gangnam Style. 

 

[mgoblue2]

The demo is definitely an adjustment, the three minute halves really make it tough to judge how possession will work because if I try to play the ball around I'll create two chances max in a half. I haven't done too much scoring and my most recent game was ruined by a Kyle Walker OG that was cleared into the post and back off his chest into the net.

I am thrilled that Goodison Park will be in the game. Absolutely thrilled. The market type scouting thing in Manager Mode looks refreshing, it'll add a whole new element that will be nice because after playing to 2016 everything outside the transfer windows gets kind of draggy.

 

[cromulence]

Trying to decide if I should buy it on PS3 or wait for PS4. I know there's been some talk about EA giving upgrades but it may just be for XBone.  If someone knows, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Aldogg]

Trying to decide if I should buy it on PS3 or wait for PS4. I know there's been some talk about EA giving upgrades but it may just be for XBone.  If someone knows, I'd appreciate it.

 
As of now no, and I have asked at my local Game Stop many times since they have a program for upgrades on certain titles going from 360 to XB1.  I think MS and EA are in bed anyway since the XB1 version will have extra legends in FUT than the PS4 version, so I am waiting for PS4 to get it this year.

 

[Zomp]

I played the demo for about 3 hours last night with a few friends and I like it much better than I did a few days ago.  It seems like scoring goals is a bit harder.  Players cannot cut anymore during a sprint, which is more realistic, and the unpredictable bounces the ball takes is great.

 

[ElUno20]

I'm not buying a new anything. How scaled down is the FIFA 14 version that ill get for my old, current xbox?

 

[Turrable]

I have one chance to pick a new Ultimate Team name and then I'm stuck with it so there goes my night

 

[teddykgb]

Oh boy, didn't know it was launched.  Just pulled my first packs.  Got a bronze guy with tons of pace and Sneijder.  Wes is probably the best player I've ever pulled in a FUT pack.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Official list of stadiums for FIFA 14.
 
In a bad move for gamers, EA secured exclusive rights to the BBVA liga stadiums. This means that PES had to remove all 20 stadiums for their 2014 release. 
 
Edit: List of teams and leagues

 

[MakMan44]

Thinking about picking it up, anyone have some quick impressions they want to share?

 

[teddykgb]

Sure.  It's much harder to score, at least in the FIFA 13 ways.  Instead of lobbed through balls you definitely seem to need to play more through balls on the ground.  Chipping the keeper is much easier and much more likely to score if you can read the keeper coming out, which seems pretty realistic, if a bit too easy.
 
They added in jostling last year, but made it the go to defensive thing this year.  I'm basically spamming the "pull back" button constantly on defense.  The new movement means you can't really cut on a dime with many players, you have to do a lot more passing of the ball to create opportunities.  Speed still helps, but it isn't the dominant trait it was last year.  I can't figure out what the dominant trait this year will be, but it seems like strength and agility will matter more.  Feels like shooting is more forgiving, I've had some shots go into corners that I felt would have missed by a mile in the past.
 
So far I've enjoyed it, got into FUT pretty quickly and I'm building a pretty good amount of coins already and have assembled a pretty good Portuguese 4-3-3.  Pretty easy to make money on FUT battling with other people for 75 rated gold players at 250 coins, then immediately resell for 300 coins.  You lose a fair amount to people building 300 coin gold squads, but win enough that you can make a thousand or so coins in a day doing that.

 

[Zomp]

Not sure if this was ever posted but this site is amazing:
 
http://www.futhead.com/

 

[Luis Taint]

Can you Sync up your Fifa teams on the console and Vita?

 

[Turrable]

So far I've enjoyed it, got into FUT pretty quickly and I'm building a pretty good amount of coins already and have assembled a pretty good Portuguese 4-3-3.  Pretty easy to make money on FUT battling with other people for 75 rated gold players at 250 coins, then immediately resell for 300 coins.  You lose a fair amount to people building 300 coin gold squads, but win enough that you can make a thousand or so coins in a day doing that.

 
That sounds like a grind, what worked for me in 13 was buying up gold stadiums at auction for ~200 coins and reselling them for 800-1000. I just picked up Signal Iduna Park on the web app for 200, in 13 that one consistently sold for 800, I'm assuming that's still the case, I'll report back

 

[teddykgb]

I'm finding the new dribbling to be a complete drag.  If you're not sprinting, you're getting pulled back from behind and dispossessed.  If you are sprinting, you're taking heavy touches and being dispossessed.  It's more realistic in that I can't just play a striker in against 3 defenders without losing the ball, but it's not quite as fun either.  I feel like there's an improvement to be made here, it's just too hard to really feel in control of the player.

 

[OilCanMDS]

I'm finding the new dribbling to be a complete drag.  If you're not sprinting, you're getting pulled back from behind and dispossessed.  If you are sprinting, you're taking heavy touches and being dispossessed.  It's more realistic in that I can't just play a striker in against 3 defenders without losing the ball, but it's not quite as fun either.  I feel like there's an improvement to be made here, it's just too hard to really feel in control of the player.

I've played about 10 matches so far, and I agree with this.  The bigger problem I have been having is first touch on passes.  I feel like the touch of players is much harder than in 13.  A lot of times in the attacking third, when I try to move the ball around quickly, a player will take a touch in which the ball drops a couple feet in front of him and he doesn't react to it for a second or two.  Almost every time this happens a defender dispossesses the player or the player performs the pass I called for a couple seconds earlier, which usually results in the ball being passed out of bounds or to an opponent because the intended recipient has moved.  Does anybody have a tip for receiving passes and doing one-touch passing?

 

[MakMan44]

How hard is the career mode to get into? I've always just sort of played quick matches with Fifa but I want to dig into the modes this year.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

How hard is the career mode to get into? I've always just sort of played quick matches with Fifa but I want to dig into the modes this year.

 
Probably harder than working 6 hours at Target...

 

[Turrable]

Just sold Goodison park at a 700 coin profit so yeah the stadium market is still very exploitable

 

[mgoblue2]

2v2 seasons is worth a go with friends. The pick of the bunch: http://instagram.com/p/e1F4C_BF_c/ Viva Eto'o.

 

[teddykgb]

I've played about 10 matches so far, and I agree with this.  The bigger problem I have been having is first touch on passes.  I feel like the touch of players is much harder than in 13.  A lot of times in the attacking third, when I try to move the ball around quickly, a player will take a touch in which the ball drops a couple feet in front of him and he doesn't react to it for a second or two.  Almost every time this happens a defender dispossesses the player or the player performs the pass I called for a couple seconds earlier, which usually results in the ball being passed out of bounds or to an opponent because the intended recipient has moved.  Does anybody have a tip for receiving passes and doing one-touch passing?

 
I agree with all of this.  I'm getting to the point where I'm really quite disappointed with this game.  It's not fun to play ping pong in the midfield because everyone's touch is too heavy.  My attacker launches it at their defender who in turn deflects it back toward my attacker who deflects it back at their defense.  Then you get to  watch the midfielders do slalom runs toward their own defense shielding the ball because the CPU can't figure out the next pass.
 
When the situation arises and it works, the strength on the ball stuff is really cool.  I think they improved shooting quite a bit as well.  But the game just isn't as fun as 13 was and I think the newer dribbling/touch system is to blame.  Toning down the speed is/was welcome, I think they didn't really get this new stuff right and will probably be "refining" quite a bit of it a year from now. 

 

[allaboutthesox]

I'm finding the new dribbling to be a complete drag.  If you're not sprinting, you're getting pulled back from behind and dispossessed.  If you are sprinting, you're taking heavy touches and being dispossessed.  It's more realistic in that I can't just play a striker in against 3 defenders without losing the ball, but it's not quite as fun either.  I feel like there's an improvement to be made here, it's just too hard to really feel in control of the player.

 
This is what I found to be an issue as well.  It is to the point where it feels as if I have to make moves prior to player getting on the ball to control the ball the way I want to. Dribbling just seems to be very touch heavy when dribbling to goal.  Maybe I just need to get use to it.  I am glad that adjusted the speed a bit and the forward thinking passing is real nice.  The build up of play seems to have more value now that just trying to counterstrike on long balls/passes.  I am fairly pleased with the dribble tricks during the run of play.  Unfortunately, my touch is so heavy it seems that it is impossible to use all the abilities.
 
I may try Career mode/Creating a player and see how that is.  I have found that I enjoy creating a player and watching him grow.

 

[Turrable]

The Mexican cover is a hit
 

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Man do I ever suck at this one. Much more precision required with passing and less reliance on pace and lobbed through balls (which are by no means bad things).

 

[Turrable]

Currently $50 on Amazon.

 

[Zomp]

Bernard is the new FUT Legend.
 
I've got a pretty good ultimate team going.  Serie A is a cheap league to poach players from since there aren't many sexy names.  I got a Siggurdson (sp?) in form card my first week and was able to cash it in for a good chunk.  From buying good players and turning a profit on them I was able to fund this team for around 150k
 
 
 
------------------Buffon-----------------
Abate----Chiellini----Bonucci--Constant
-----------Vidal--------Marchisio---------
Bernard--------Di Natale----------Hamsik
----------------Balotelli------------------
 
With El Sharaawy and De Rossi on the bench.  Best decision I ever made was converting Di Natale from a ST to a CAM.  I like El Sharaawy more than Hamsik but he plays out of position and my chemistry would fall from 99 if he's in there because Bernard connects with nobody.

 

[NHbeau]

allaboutthesox, on 29 Sept 2013 - 3:02 PM, said:

 
This is what I found to be an issue as well.  It is to the point where it feels as if I have to make moves prior to player getting on the ball to control the ball the way I want to. Dribbling just seems to be very touch heavy when dribbling to goal.  Maybe I just need to get use to it.  I am glad that adjusted the speed a bit and the forward thinking passing is real nice.  The build up of play seems to have more value now that just trying to counterstrike on long balls/passes.  I am fairly pleased with the dribble tricks during the run of play.  Unfortunately, my touch is so heavy it seems that it is impossible to use all the abilities.
 
I may try Career mode/Creating a player and see how that is.  I have found that I enjoy creating a player and watching him grow.

 
 I've played this mode pretty much since I started playing FIFA ('12 or so) and really enjoy it. In FIFA 13 I could never pull off the CDM I like to play as they really didn't make defending worth it. In 13 make a striker or a CAM and just spam lobbed balls down the middle or call for them and bury goals. My striker in 13, on legendary difficulty, 2 seasons in is a perpetual hat trick machine who just eats defenders alive at 5'11" and 190 lbs. Those same tactics in 14 will get you boxed in where you'll be a walking turnover. I like the changes in 14 for the single player career mode. More strategy, better keeper AI it seems, and less ripping goals from 10 yards outside the box.

 

[Zomp]

Well, finally...someone I know has gotten Messi in a pack.
 
Of course, he's Portuguese....so he's selling him to fund a move for Ronaldo.

 

[Turrable]

Goddamn this might be the year I have to learn skill moves I can't create offense for shit

 

[Blundatola]

Goddamn this might be the year I have to learn skill moves I can't create offense for shit

 
I found this article to be particularly helpful to me in adjusting to the new game play.

 

[BoredViewer]

Anyone playing this game on a PC with a keyboard/mouse?  I am.
 
It ain't easy - but I'm managing on semi-pro in career mode.  ACM, leading the Revs to 6th place about halfway through the season... spent quite a bit of time with injuries, though.

 

[Turrable]

 
I found this article to be particularly helpful to me in adjusting to the new game play.

 
Good stuff. The more I play the more I appreciate the realism, and the less I miss some of the more outlandish pacey crap you could pull in 13. I'm curious as to how much better it will be on the new consoles.

 

[TheJodyReedExperience]

Pirlo doesn't have a beard; this whole game is suspect.

 

[Turrable]

Cross-spam is making this game borderline unplayable, which sucks because I actually like everything else about it. But there's no point playing ultimate team when no amount of offensive creativity can compete with a guy sprinting straight into the corner and launching balls at strikers who just don't miss.

 

[Infield Infidel]

"We are refining our focus on our biggest brands and great new IP in development, including The Sims 4, EA Sports UFC, FIFA World Cup and Dragon Age: Inquisition."
 

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/435925/ea-confirms-work-is-underway-on-fifa-2014-world-cup-game/
 
I didn't buy FIFA this year in the hopes that I'd just get the World Cup game. So obviously I'm hoping it's a stand-alone game instead of a DLC like Euro 2012 

 

[soxfan121]

Pirlo doesn't have a beard; this whole game is suspect.

 

 

[TheJodyReedExperience]

 

PS4 Pirlo also doesn't have a beard; this game REMAINS SUSPECT.

 

[soxfan121]

I'd post an even more forlorn and sad looking Bearded Pirlo but I think the above is the saddest, most forlorn of the Bearded Pirlo pictures.

 

[Zomp]

Anybody ever use In Form players in Ultimate Team?  My buddy who landed Messi was selling his PS3 and asked me how much cash I'd give him for Messi.  I jokingly said $30, figuring he'd laugh because he could get a lot more online, but he took it.
 
I sold Messi for 1.6 million. I love my back 7, so I basically had that much to fool around with and see what I could do while keeping 100 Chemistry.  Here is what I came up with:
 
 
 
-----------------------Buffon-----------------------
Abate------Caceres-----Chiellini----Criscito
----------Vidal--------------Marchisio-------------
IF Sanchez-------Bale-----------------Neymar
---------------------IF Costa-------------------------
 
 
The Vidal-Sanchez link works because they are both Chilean.  Costa is Brazillian in the game so he and Neymar link up nicely.  The only red lines I have are Marchisio to Neymar and Bale to Vidal/Marchisio.  The rest is mostly green with some yellow but i still have 100% chemistry.
 
IF players are ridiculous.  Costa is an 84 rating but he has 96(!) shot power and 94 strength.  Dude is a fucking tank. If I have a free kick just outside of the box, I power shoot with Costa and it rockets off the keeper's hands and in.

 

[Turrable]

Out of curiosity how did you arrange the Messi transfer? Did you trade him straight up for a bronze card or something? Just asking because I heard they were cracking down on those kinds of transactions this year and I've been wondering how serious that actually was. 

 

[Zomp]

Yeah basically I buy a bronze guy and put a high minimum bid on him. My buddy then offers me messi for him and I accept.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

What's the impression of this game on the PS4? Just snagged this thing for it, but will be a few more days until I play it.  Last time I purchased a FIFA game was 12' for the Xbox.

 

[rodderick]

Just played FIFA 14 for the first at a buddy's house, and I really disliked it. The game is slow, plodding, the players seem like they have tank controls turned on, and every time you pass the ball there's uncertainty if your player is going to properly get the ball under control. I think FIFA 13 is the best football game I've played in ages, and 14 really let me down. Yeah, I know they were going for a more "sim-like" experience, but honestly, I mostly play football games while drinking with a bunch of friends, so this kind of slowed down experience doesn't really fit the context. 
 
Maybe I'm judging the game unfairly, because I didn't spend a lot of time with it, and I played the game on PS3, which has the worst fucking controller known to man, but I can't help but feel that there comes a point where being "sim-like" detracts from the experience. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I think PES 6 is the best fucking football game ever created, and that was pacey and arcadey as shit. Honestly, playing that with friends is a blast, and there's still a TON of skill involved to make it work. So maybe I just prefer that kind of game, but I thought FIFA 13 was an awesome compromise between being realistic and being a videogame. FIFA 14 felt like a chore to play and control, and I don't see myself spending a whole lot of time with it. SoSH, tell me what I'm missing!

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Holding left trigger (XBox 360) when receiving the ball is somehow even more important in '14 than in '13. It's taken me a while but I'm finally getting the hang of it - after 3 initial losses and swearing off Seasons in division 10, I've had a few straight promotions and I'll get into Division 6 tonight.
 
Momentum of players looms much larger in this year's edition as well, which while more realistic definitely detracts from the game if you're just getting into it. 

 

[cromulence]

The slowed down gameplay suits my style perfectly. I've never been the type to boot long balls and sprint them down, so I don't miss that at all. I had a really hard time consistently executing/timing headers in 13 and have found that to be much easier/better in 14. 
 

Just played FIFA 14 for the first at a buddy's house, and I really disliked it. The game is slow, plodding, the players seem like they have tank controls turned on, and every time you pass the ball there's uncertainty if your player is going to properly get the ball under control. I think FIFA 13 is the best football game I've played in ages, and 14 really let me down. Yeah, I know they were going for a more "sim-like" experience, but honestly, I mostly play football games while drinking with a bunch of friends, so this kind of slowed down experience doesn't really fit the context. 
 
Maybe I'm judging the game unfairly, because I didn't spend a lot of time with it, and I played the game on PS3, which has the worst fucking controller known to man, but I can't help but feel that there comes a point where being "sim-like" detracts from the experience. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I think PES 6 is the best fucking football game ever created, and that was pacey and arcadey as shit. Honestly, playing that with friends is a blast, and there's still a TON of skill involved to make it work. So maybe I just prefer that kind of game, but I thought FIFA 13 was an awesome compromise between being realistic and being a videogame. FIFA 14 felt like a chore to play and control, and I don't see myself spending a whole lot of time with it. SoSH, tell me what I'm missing!

 
Honestly, it just sounds like you prefer a more arcade style game. Obviously if you want a "pacey" game, 14 isn't gonna suit you. I thought the pace had gotten to be completely ridiculous - all you needed was a tiny bit of space or a decent angle and you could blow by most defenders with ease.