FIFA 21

Through small tweaks and refinements, FIFA 21 plays as well as it has done in recent memory, but lacks the relatively big features that are usually used to justify a new version of an annually released game. Attacking is fun and fluid, defending is a real challenge and an art to master, but goalkeeping leaves a lot to be desired and the AI is inconsistent in several ways. Career Mode has received small enjoyable additions but has not seen the overhaul I’m still wishing for and feels like an opportunity missed, while Volta still struggles to prove its relevance. All in all, FIFA 21 is a year of small improvements with much to enjoy, but little to shout about.

We hope that the next gen will bring a breath of fresh air to a series that needs to overcome some historical flaws. The air in the locker room starts to get heavy.

The FIFA series desperately needs a fresh start. Right now, it relies mainly on the Ultimate Team mode and marketing, while going around in circles. Instead of leaping into the future, FIFA 21 takes half a step forward and two steps sideways in an attempt to differentiate itself from its predecessor well enough to rationalize spending money. If you already own FIFA 20 and are not addicted to Ultimate Team, you can sit this one out. [12/2020, p.44]

A consummate package of shooting, slide tackling and swearing, but with some familiar current-gen frustrations. The saving grace could be FIFA 21’s free PS5 upgrade. [Issue#182, p.137]

FIFA 21 is still a great game that can offer hours upon hours of fun. On the other hand it seems that there is no real innovation in anything the franchise does any more.

FIFA 21 is solid and still immensely playable, but very stale, and rather unnecessary.

FIFA 21 provides enough new content and changes to set itself apart from FIFA 20 but ultimately this feels like an entry that plays it safe. This is totally understandable; the new console generation is just around the corner and will allow EA to take this series to the next level. Truly, it needs exactly that - the graphics and presentation are in dire need of an overhaul. Nevertheless, the bolstered Career Mode and gameplay balances contribute to this being a decent swan song for the current generation of football simulators.

FIFA is still a fun game to play and at times can still be addictive as anything. You just can’t help but wish for those two or three major signings that would take it to the next level.

In the end, as a football fan, I can't find a better expression that synthesizes FIFA 21 than the shout for a goal that was disallowed by the referee.

FIFA 21 is still a solid football game, but it feels far too similar to last year's entry. With minor improvements to the gameplay, modes, and the visuals, it's about time the series had an overhaul.

It’s hard to shake the sinking feeling that FIFA 21 has almost been frozen in stasis since last season. While there are the expected seasonal enhancements, nothing stands on its own to make this a “must buy” installment. If you picked up the game in 2019, you’d probably be forgiven for taking a pass this time around. Hopefully they have more innovation in store for next year, because it definitely feels like EA is trying to run out the clock on this generation.

FIFA 21 has thrown a lot of adjustments under the hood to help give players more tools than ever before. A lot of the casual players, however, may not take advantage of this. Something needs to be updated to the shooting model and not just the 1-on-1 matchups. The feeling of a soccer match is still fantastic, but it seems EA has put this in the back seat in favor of VOLTA. Even though the Career Mode offers a good bit of options and control, the focus still feels like it is on VOLTA and FUT in terms of game modes even though neither mode changed much. FIFA 21 is a great soccer experience for those who don’t play these types of games often, but the limited mode selection and the overall feel of the game will leave a lot to be desired for yearly fans.

On the pitch, FIFA 21 remains the best it's ever been, but it's arguably not changed enough for longtime fans in almost any other way.

Stop us if you've heard this one before: FIFA 21 isn't a huge upgrade on FIFA 20, but a boatload of small improvements do help it rise above its predecessor. The on-pitch action arguably feels more arcadey than it has done in years, but there's no denying the excitement that comes with playing through a 5-4 thriller. FIFA is still king in delivering a robust and accessible footballing package, but the series needs to step up its game on PS5 — particularly when it comes to presentation.

FIFA 21 is a game with few interesting new features but they're not so extensive as to require a year of development. This should be a simple content patch. Still, the game itself is very good and satisfying, capable of elevating a house party and thrilling core fans.

FIFA 21 does little oo nothing in terms of innovation, and some of the previous elements in the game even feel like a step behind.

FIFA 21 closes out a mixed generation with some key gameplay improvements, making for the fastest, most enjoyable experience in FIFA 15. Its modes are more mixed, with career mode being a particular sore point. Ultimately, FIFA 21 may not be the comprehensive update everyone wants, but it's enough to generate some positive momentum heading into the new console generation.

For the current generation, FIFA 21 is certainly a good title, although the potential was so much greater. Fortunately, Career Mode fans will be served at their beck and call this year, which was necessary after years of disappointment. The development of youth players has also improved a lot this year, although it is regrettable to see that elements such as the speed of players are still too big a factor for the core gameplay.

FIFA 21 feels a lot like a transition game that was hastily put together to leave time for the PS5 and XSX future. It corrects a few hiccups from the previous game, but overall it's not enough to lure anybody in but the most hardcore fans of FUT.

Probably the most innovative FIFA in years, that leaves the door open for further improvement in the next gen – even if the grim shadow of Ultimate Team is never likely to leave.

FIFA 21 marks another update to the formula without major innovations. But it's still a fun game.

FIFA 21 is certainly a better game than last year's entry, with more fun general play and specialisations between game modes that are long overdue. However, between the franchise's never-ending controversies and the same old face models outside of the big teams, it does feel an awful lot like its predecessors. Hopefully the next gaming generation will see a more bold progression.

FIFA 21 is about what you’d expect from a new FIFA release. Some quality of life improvements over the previous title though nothing that really signifies a leap in class from past games. That being said, the quality in the FIFA series is fairly high, giving EA Sports a nice cushion to fall back on every year. FUT maintains the same inherent issues as it did last year, despite some shiny new features. FIFA 21 is another serviceable, yet standard entry in EA Sports’ soccer/football simulation series.

FIFA 21 offers a couple of improvements, though they're all fairly subtle and/or unremarkable. When you come right down to it, it's basically FIFA 20 all over again, with an even bigger focus on microtransactions. This franchise is in desperate need of some steam, cause it's about to run out with a vengeance.

Without losing all of its qualities, FIFA is once again struggling to correct its gameplay flaws and will have to wait at least for a substantial update, or more likely a new opus to hope to convince us on this point.

FIFA 21 feels like a game with a ton of potential that’s being held back by its engine. Konami decided to take the year off and switch to Unreal. I can’t help but feel like EA really needs to do the same. For all the bells and whistles the team adds every year, the on-field product leaves so much to be desired.

Game for fans who either need to work online at FUT every day, or instead want to try a modified career mode, which is starting to really look like Football Manager. Otherwise, it's a decent update for the full price. [Issue#307]

FIFA 21 is a mash up of incremental steps forward, baffling design choices, and seemingly ignored issues. It simply doesn’t do enough to make the overall experience significantly more enjoyable than it was last year.

More expensive with fewer changes, FIFA 21 is a sad entry for the franchise. Unless the PS5 version you’re getting with this one does not improve the formula by a lot, there is little to no reason for you to get this edition of FIFA. Especially if you already own FIFA 20.

The moment-to-moment action may be better than last year's game, but this is nothing more than a glorified roster update. Only Career Mode fans have reason to celebrate.

The off-field adjustments in FIFA Ultimate Team and the career mode are the main bright spots.

For now, though, FIFA 21 plays a very good game and it's clear the devs have been paying attention to criticism. Headers appear to be effective once more and off the ball movement has seemingly been rebuilt from the ground up, with two new mechanics attempting to address the deficiencies of team-mate AI. The first lets you manually direct runs with a flick of the right stick. The other allows you to take direct control of a runner by pressing in both sticks at once and then timing the return pass as normal. It’s tricky to master and feels a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time but does introduce a welcome set of skill-dependent attacking options.

FIFA 21 is not bad but it does not innovate at all the recipe initiated by FIFA 20. Very focused on the attack, the defense suffers from a significant imbalance, leaving the open door to matches filled with goals. It is a transitional opus, leaving known bases so as not to upset the players and thus draw great novelties for FIFA 22.

FIFA 21 is in all aspects similar to the previous instalment and what it changes, it changes for the worse. The matches are a farce full of unstoppable tricks and unbelievably fast wingers, which applies for the career mode as well. The changes to the career mode itself don’t make sense. The only saving grace is the simple fact that this is still an extremely beautiful game.