FIFA 21 NXT LVL EDITION

Playing FIFA 21 on the next-gen consoles is an absolute dream. Quicker load times, an increase in visual fidelity and better A.I. make it the strongest FIFA entry in the series in some time.

This is a substantial package that's propped up by exciting gameplay that puts the onus squarely on attacking football. There are moments of frustration on defense when the balance doesn't feel quite right, but then you'll go down the other end and score a Puskás Award contender that makes you forget why you were mad in the first place.

A visual upgrade on the old-gen FIFA 21 with no loading times.

FIFA 21 has gained some muscles with this version for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, although the play style is the same we already saw in PS4 and Xbox One. EA Sports has not taken all the profit from the new hardware, but it is great that you can upgrade for free if you have the version for the previous generation.

FIFA 21 gets a quick makeover for the next gen, with small changes that gives us a glimpse of what the series can do on the new consoles. It feels like a transitional entry, but also, as a free update, delivers more than we expected.

FIFA 21 on PS5 is a surprisingly significant next-gen upgrade. Simply put, this is the best that virtual football has ever looked on PlayStation, and a slew of immersion-enhancing features make it the best version of FIFA in years.

FIFA 21 on PS5 and Xbox Series X is the same game as in the original systems, with the odd technical tweak that especially dazzles the most recognizable players, highlighting the realism of hairstyles and beards. Otherwise, nothing particularly noteworthy, something that is logical in part because this is a free update, and not a complete new game with its own development.

Don’t expect a revolution. The PS5 version of the latest FIFA looks better, runs at 60 fps in 4K, and loads matches much faster, but the only feature truly worth focusing on is the creative use of haptic feedback (e.g. as your player gets tired, triggers gradually become harder to press). [02/2021, p.61]

Since the update is free, and offers some improvements that do not go unnoticed, the Electronic Arts operation can be said to be satisfactory: in short, the new generation training begins to show, albeit timidly, its potential.

While FIFA 21 is as good a showcase for the potential of the DualSense as we’ve seen so far, the underlying issues with this entry remain. [Issue#184, p.88]

None of this changes how you play, though and is pretty much a superficial upgrade on the more powerful machines. That’s a bit of a disappointment, considering the revisions 2K made to NBA 2K21 in its new-generation version. Also, considering the lack of changes it’s annoying that there’s no cross-generational play; you’re able to carry your Volta and FUT progress over to PS5 and Series X/S, but if you have a group of friends you enjoy playing with and you all haven’t been able to get your hands on a new console yet there’s no way to join them without going back to the old version. Overall, FIFA 21 on the new generation isn’t the leap that many would have been hoping for and are left waiting until next to see what EA can achieve with the power of these consoles.

On PS5 and Xbox Series X, FIFA 21 enjoys a healthy bump in graphical quality, with a Forstbite engine that's impressive as ever. But outside of this visual improvement, the game hasn't changed, and the same problems are still there.

This next-gen edition of FIFA 21 does not have any big surprises in store for its status as a Smart Delivery title. We can of course be delighted with a much finer graphic aspect than its One / PS4 inclination and loading times now non-existent, but all the other “new features” are basically anecdotal. We are now crossing our fingers that FIFA 22 relies on this visual overhaul and disrupts its content for a real transitional episode.

FIFA 21 on PS5 is not an entirely new game, but it is undoubtedly a better one. It's an intriguing glimpse into how EA will handle the new hardware for its flagship sports franchise. Graphics will become more lifelike and the use of the DualSense's features will become more honed and immersive. Fans will just have to hope that the worrying financial trends and precedents set by this upgrade don't materialize into something too hard to stomch, because the rest of what's on offer here is tantalizing. For now, FIFA 21 on the PS5 is the right step forward for the series - it remains to be seen if its next shot will be on target.

FIFA 21’s next-gen visuals speak for themselves as the player models are absolutely gorgeous. This is mainly shown off in the cutscenes, but even the visuals on the field seem cleaner and more detailed. The gameplay on VOLTA matches feel faster and you can pick up where you left on the previous generation. Otherwise, everything is a one-to-one copy and paste. To be fair, the developers didn’t name off anything more than visual upgrades, a new entrance and improved crowd chants. If you were expecting a large jump from generation to generation like you might have with Madden NFL 21, there’s even less in FIFA 21. This is still FIFA from EA, which means it’s going to look great and be fun.