FIFA 14

FIFA 14 is a beautiful send-off to the waning current generation of gaming, and a perfect example of what has become the most authentic and entertaining sports game around.

For once, FIFA 14 could divide its fan base. Being more and more realistic, the game becomes more and more demanding. Don't misunderstand us: this is the main reason why FIFA 14 is better than FIFA 13. Passing the ball, building your chances: that's what this new FIFA is about. And exceptional players are only a solution if you make them play for the team. With the new features in Career Mode and the release of a 2-players Seasons Mode, it's certainly the best FIFA ever, and the best football game for now.

Electronic Arts keeps polishing the best soccer game on the planet: FIFA 14 is a predictable but outstanding achievement. Its matches show a thoughtful pace and the new ball protection mechanics fit perfectly in the formula. Simply put it's a must buy for every soccer enthusiast out there.

This is the best version so far, but also the less innovative. It feels like EA Sports is absolutely focused on next gen consoles, so there are few additions here. However, it is as fun as always, and the best football simulator this year for current consoles.

Offers a wonderful package that rewards those who are willing to adjust to it. [Issue#236, p.72]

Another fine refinement of one the best games of football on the market. [November 2013, p79]

FIFA 14 on the PS3 is brilliant. However, I can't help but feel that there is more coming to those looking at buying the next-gen consoles.

Some minor visual issues aside, EA came, saw and emerged victorious: FIFA 14 improves on a number of key features and establishes itself again as the best soccer game out there.

Although many users begin to request more, FIFA 14 is still a spectacular soccer game that we effusively recommend.

FIFA 14 is the best title in the franchise so far. As the icing of the cake for a project that started alongside this console generation, this last installment revamps certain playability and technical issues, which makes it the best FIFA title in the last few years.

Gameplay is the best it’s been on PS3, and presentation is improved, too, with Jeff Stelling’s pre-match, half-time and post-match links upping the broadcast feel yet again. Whatever your thoughts on annual sports games, you really mustn’t miss this one unless you want to spend the next nine months feeling like a defeated play-off finalist.

FIFA 14 isn’t a major landmark for the series in terms of innovation. Unlike recent iterations, it doesn’t ask you to relearn key skills. But the changes have made FIFA more attacking, fun, welcoming, and attractive, and ultimately it’s a stronger experience.

Thanks to the gameplay changes alone, FIFA 14 is an essential purchase for any football gaming fan. It feels so different that it may even gain back long-term fans lost along the way, though there’s also a risk that EA Sports might lose a few for the same reasons.

Still not perfect, but FIFA 14 is the new benchmark for sports simulations because of its depth, flexibility and hugeness.

The kinds of shots players get off are varied due to how they strike the ball (and with which foot), and the controls hit a sweet spot of being easy to pull off and capable of letting you engineer some incisive attacks. These aspects are not to be underestimated, as they give you confidence going forward and the ability to score from some new areas.

The AI of your fellow teammates has been ramped up considerably, making them wide open for a pass much more often. Exciting duels, where the ball changes owner multiple times are not just an exception anymore, they are to be expected. [October 2013 p.74]

FIFA 14 doesn’t take any major leaps forward, instead focusing on fine-tuning the major innovations the series has taken in the last couple of years.

While gamers anxiously await the arrival of next generation games in November, EA Sports reminds us that there are still great games on this generation. While not completely perfect, FIFA 14 delivers on its promise of an improved and lasting gameplay experience.

The best simulation of football, but only slightly better than its predecessor. If you’re planning to buy a new console I recommend waiting for the next-gen Fifa 14. [12/2013, p.48]

FIFA 14 still is a very good, very complete soccer game. And whilst the tweaks, changes and additions to the core mechanics are well executed, overall the progress made is smaller than last year.

FIFA finally feels different. The pace on the pitch is slower and more deliberate, but greater player control makes for some exciting and realistic football.

FIFA 14 has a lot of new elements, but unfortunately the most prominent new elements aren't executed flawlessly. This makes FIFA 14 a very enjoyable soccer experience, but with bizarre situations arising from time to time that mess things up quite a bit. The new additions to FIFA Ultimate Team are successful though.

FIFA 14 has dragged the franchise out of videogame purgatory and injected character back into it with some significant gameplay improvements. AI oddities and a poor interface fail to mar a genuinely rewarding and enjoyable football experience.

Maybe FIFA 14 isn't a great leap, but it's a nice update for its gameplay.

FIFA 14 is unmistakably the best footie for the current-gen consoles to date. It feels both realistic and authentic and pays homage to The Beautiful Game we have grown to love. It’s just too bad the graphics of the game can’t keep up with the gameplay anymore; but our educated guess is that next-gen will change that entirely.

I’m not sure if it’s the best game in the series, but it kept me playing for hours on end, and that’s enough for me. The visual and audio competence supported by the rock-solid gameplay is a winning combination, and just goes to show how much EA has perfected the major-league game formula.

FIFA 14 is a well done game and should keep fans interested for another season.

There's nothing significant to complain about really. [Issue#140, p.104]

The players may still look like strange rubber men and the commentators still spout lines that you've already heard hundreds of times before, but FIFA 14 manages to do just enough to keep its lead on the competition.

FIFA 14 does a terrific job of differentiating levels of soccer competition around the world, which is rare. But there are so many different modes of play that players of just about any skill level or familiarity can hop into FIFA 14.

Every year it becomes a predictable conclusion, but FIFA 14 earns the description as the ultimate soccer game. EA Sports created a dynamic, unpredictable and enervating soccer experience. The same can't be said for the visuals, which feel dated and cold. The lack of new modes and small annoyances which have persisted throughout the years are things we'll let slip, but the need for next-gen is large.

Despite the lack of a defining new feature to attach itself to, FIFA 14 is far more than the sum of its parts. It's a fundamentally different experience to last year's game, and an entertaining one at that, moving the series ever closer to the realism it so proudly strives for. The only competition FIFA has this year is itself.

The fact a project of this thundering size gets finished at all – let alone once every 12 months – is of course a minor miracle of hard work and management, but it can only be lauded for greatness if that's what it's reaching for. FIFA 14 seems content with better rather than best.

As much as I know I will play it all year, though, I would like to feel a greater sense of progression next time. Hopefully EA Sports will find the next-generation consoles inspiring.

FIFA 14 is undoubtedly the best football game to date, even though it does not innovate as much as its predecessor.