FIFA 21 NXT LVL EDITION

 PlayStation 5
User Score
2.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 223 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 223
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 223
  3. Negative: 156 out of 223
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  1. Yzerman35
    Jan 11, 2021
    2
    It's been at least 5 years that EA has been working with the same game mechanics in fifa, and they are not able to fix this game. This game is broken. Shooting, movement, passing, defending: none of it makes sense in the game. Scripting/momentum still feels apparent. The skill gap feels more like I am fighting the computer than the player I am playing against. And please, can someoneIt's been at least 5 years that EA has been working with the same game mechanics in fifa, and they are not able to fix this game. This game is broken. Shooting, movement, passing, defending: none of it makes sense in the game. Scripting/momentum still feels apparent. The skill gap feels more like I am fighting the computer than the player I am playing against. And please, can someone explain why they still allow your player on a free kick to pass it to the opponent. This does not happen in football/soccer.

    Essentially, the game is still very broken and gamers have just learned to live with it and accept it.    … Expand
  2. DW0lf
    Feb 27, 2021
    0
    As a lifelong fifa fan I am truly disappointed in this, it's basically just a cash cow, the gameplay is horrible, the game decides who wins or loses regardless of player skill, just to make you spend more money in really bad packs for the hope of getting a decent card, it's not a game for the players, it's a game for the big suits at EA
  3. Arash13
    Dec 15, 2020
    0
    As a lifelong fan of FIFA, I've been pretty disappointed with EA's approach during the past few years. Unfortunately, they've changed a nice soccer game into an arcade one which feels so unrealistic. In terms of gameplay, which is the most important part of a soccer sim video game, efootball PES is far superior and it would definitely be my first choice next year.
  4. Cjw1989
    Jan 4, 2021
    0
    This game is just all the scripted shannanigans that Fifa 19 had but it looks marginally better as in graphic wise. Like a snapchat filter.

    Will Mbappe run through 7 tackles and still score. Yes. Will you completely and utterly dominate your opponent and then lose 3-0 to a team that just came out of rehab. Yes. Repeatedly. Will your players run free like a Scotsman's balls and the next    This game is just all the scripted shannanigans that Fifa 19 had but it looks marginally better as in graphic wise. Like a snapchat filter.

    Will Mbappe run through 7 tackles and still score. Yes. Will you completely and utterly dominate your opponent and then lose 3-0 to a team that just came out of rehab. Yes. Repeatedly. Will your players run free like a Scotsman's balls and the next game feel like they’re towing a truck. Yes. Every second game.

    Will the team your playing block everything from your goal to his own goal no matter where the shot is and then score a nutmeg goal. Yes, absolutely. Will you enter a draft for 15k in coins, win the competition and win 5k in coins from the “rewards”. Yes, of course. What else would you expect. Will every pack you buy cost £20 and then you get back nothing. YES. We don’t even need money just take it.

    Will they delay the animation and point blank refuse to do the move you’re pressing. Yes. Obviously. Will every useless item that EA perceive as a “reward” lead you straight back to the store for kids to gamble on over priced lucky bags called “packs”. Yes!! If you like to play a competitive skill based game that gives you great rewards for the hard work you put in day in day out and offers you a great time playing it then you would be better with anything not made by EA. A ball and a string would be better time spent than this.    … Expand
  5. nw2010
    Dec 22, 2020
    5
    Graphics receive a decent bump for the PS5 and look verygood (where they are using the real player face).

    Presentation is as good as ever, but it really slows the game down in career mode which is what I enjoy playing. It significantly takes away from the enjoyment of just playing game after game. You should be able to skip certain cut scenes far quicker as well as move from game to    Graphics receive a decent bump for the PS5 and look verygood (where they are using the real player face).

    Presentation is as good as ever, but it really slows the game down in career mode which is what I enjoy playing. It significantly takes away from the enjoyment of just playing game after game. You should be able to skip certain cut scenes far quicker as well as move from game to game quicker (i.e. give us an option to just simulate all training and don't ask/make you press a different button each time to do that)

    Injury time needs fixing - quite often +1 minute goes on for 5+ minutes.

    Overall, I enjoyed 20+ hours with the game, but have now uninstalled it and probably won't go back to FIFA for another couple of years.    … Expand
  6. dejhigh
    May 12, 2021
    0
    Worst fifa game just behind fifa 20. A cash cow EA is now. Passing goes to the wrong direction everytime, tackling inconsistent. Cant even get the ball when I predict the opponents 10 different moves. Goal keeper always deflects the ball to the opponents striker every freaking time. Major issue is that the games decision making/ ai is at the lowest low. Whats the point of even adding it?Worst fifa game just behind fifa 20. A cash cow EA is now. Passing goes to the wrong direction everytime, tackling inconsistent. Cant even get the ball when I predict the opponents 10 different moves. Goal keeper always deflects the ball to the opponents striker every freaking time. Major issue is that the games decision making/ ai is at the lowest low. Whats the point of even adding it? Players make runs and just stop abruptly judt when you decide to make a throufh ball. Virtually all lobbed through balls to the striker are overhit. I could go on and on. I am never buying a fifa game again!!!… Expand
  7. DivineDDT
    Dec 11, 2020
    5
    Not really next level, although they improved graphics and no loading times and the dualsense vibration but the game has a frequent screen tear and lag (in offline mode too) when tackling players and the controller vibrates. Its irritating, best solution is to turn of enhanced vibration
  8. Madgamer2020
    Dec 21, 2020
    2
    What a poor game. Incredibly frustrating. Patch after patch. Completely alters the gameplay (back to fifa 19imo) This is possibly the most unrealistic version yet. Need a 76 button combo just to get your player to sprint. Honestly avoid the P2P game at all cost. Just a horrible horrible game
  9. Desimpedido
    Feb 6, 2021
    5
    It’s nice, ok to spend a few hours if you like soccer. But it’s the same game every year for a full price
  10. Danisfast
    Feb 8, 2021
    2
    TL;DR - looks nice, but very frustrating and far too much like hard work. Please just simplify and streamline things to make it easier to get into.

    My last FIFA was 17 and before that 14. So, I'm pretty casual. I was really hoping that FIFA 21 would be a great opportunity to get back into virtual football, alongside getting a PS5. I also wanted to show off the new hardware with a fancy    TL;DR - looks nice, but very frustrating and far too much like hard work. Please just simplify and streamline things to make it easier to get into.

    My last FIFA was 17 and before that 14. So, I'm pretty casual. I was really hoping that FIFA 21 would be a great opportunity to get back into virtual football, alongside getting a PS5. I also wanted to show off the new hardware with a fancy new game.

    There are some things I like about it. For example, that there are some graphical enhancements. I don't expect huge leaps this early in the generation, so I'm happy there. The load times are close to nil; can't complain about that...! The DualSense function is nifty and that FUT isn't in-your-face all the time. I appreciate that. The menus aren't immediately intuitive, but you get the hang of them after a while - and they are very clean. The soundtrack is decent enough too.

    On the downside however is the important bit: the gameplay experience. Far too often, one is only a player selection mix-up or excessively laboured animation away from pure, unbridled frustration. It happens far too often and absolutely kills the vibe. Especially this year, as the defending has now also become far harder, this issue has become even more pronounced. I don't know if there is scripting, but after a few "miraculous" comebacks brought on late in games, I can understand why people would say there is. But there's no inbetween with the difficulty as a result of this. You're either thrashing teams, or in this quagmire of frustration.

    But I digress; so too have set-pieces become inaccessible. It's far too stressful and complicated trying to score a free kick or penalty. After a few games, I abandoned long corners altogether. The general direction chosen for this area of the game was the wrong one for someone like me.

    The result is a game that has needless barriers to empowerment and fun, which combined with the AI mix-ups, create a negative experience for the casual gamer like me. After approximately ten to fifteen hours I have uninstalled the game. Even Ride - the glitchy, stumbling motorcycle franchise at least has a spot on my PlayStation for when I want to go back...! But I won't be back for FIFA because I just do not have fun playing it.

    I miss the days of ISS on the Super Nintendo, which were simple, fun and challenging in all the right ways. You lost or scored a goal because of something you did, not because it remains impossible to work out how to tackle competently. Lots of goals went in, but it was fun. Now, it all feel so serious, complicated and laboured.

    I don't want to spend countless hours trying to master a free kick technique that I will hardly ever use and that won't be around if I buy another FIFA, I just want to have a bit of a challenge, but mostly fun with my fleeting free time after work...! Is that too much to ask for?    … Expand
  11. duckduck0101
    Apr 26, 2021
    0
    Pure trash company. First time playing an online EA games and it's f-ing trash, customer services is f-ing garbage, feel stupid when I spent money on this f-king game. Took forever for them to solve your problem. Pure f-ing trash company.
  12. Uptonic
    Jun 8, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Having played the FIFA game since it’s very first version many years ago, I have witnessed a rapid decline over the last few years. What used to be a great realistic and fun game, has now become an unrealistic and poorly predictable mess. The AI intelligence is far from ‘football intelligent’ and gamers now simply have to go to YouTube, to find the cheats and tricks to win games. This game no longer allows a creative or football minded person to play football. It’s no surprise that this game is losing its place in gamers hearts and it won’t be long before it loses its place on shop shelves. The last 5 years has seen virtually no improvement in graphics or animation.. instead, a rearrangement of button configurations or instructions, to make you learn again, what you already knew previously. Waste of money… Expand
  13. Smara1453
    Dec 10, 2020
    0
    There is no improvement. The same arcade unrealistic gameplay based on pay to win. It is not football.
  14. samiseppo1000
    Dec 6, 2020
    0
    Gotta give credit where it's due. This game is absolutely beautiful looking and the atmosphere on the stadium is breathtaking. The menus also work extremely well. Sadly that's where the pros end.

    The gameplay is such a coin flip and upside down it's beyond ridiculous. I have absolutely no idea why the players have stats because they mean nothing. Pace is completely random. Sometimes    Gotta give credit where it's due. This game is absolutely beautiful looking and the atmosphere on the stadium is breathtaking. The menus also work extremely well. Sadly that's where the pros end.

    The gameplay is such a coin flip and upside down it's beyond ridiculous. I have absolutely no idea why the players have stats because they mean nothing. Pace is completely random. Sometimes your 60 pace player outpaces 90+ pace players, sometimes the other way around. Passing? The hardest passes to complete are the ones that look the easiest. You have the most obvious chance to give a through ball to your striker with your player who has outstanding passing stats - DO NOT TAKE IT. It's guaranteed to go just too long. Sometimes the passes are incredibly slow, sometimes fast, no matter how you power it. The pass that will most consistently reach your own player is an offside pass to a player you didn't aim it to.

    Sometimes your player with 90 agility turns quick, sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes your cb with 60 dribbling turns like neymar, sometimes he doesn't. The 'dramatic moments' (read: dda) is turned up to 200 and if you end up winning 2-0 in the first half you won't get to see the opponents goal in the second half. Suddenly you can't get out of your own half because your players do everything to not be available for a pass and when they are, the pass will just randomly be a poor one.

    Tackling? The best and most consistent tackles happen when performed with your strikers when you are losing and using team press. Actually no, the most consistent tackle is when your A.I. decides to put in a random tackle. When manually tackling with defenders, be ready to tackle the ball 5 times before the opponent is suddenly through on goal and just hope your gk will save it. If the angle to shoot is bad, just be ready to skip the celebrations because shots from bad angles are more consistent than when shooting from the middle. Interceptions? A coin flip. Position yourself correctly and sometimes you will get the interception and sometimes your player will move out of the way for whatever reason. Long shots? Don't even try, definitely do not try if you hold majority of the possession because your opponent will be through on goal from the weirdest bounce you have ever seen.

    And the team press... Jesus christ... :D Turn it on when you are losing, you will get a goal. Turn it on when you are winning, the opponent will get a goal. The game is so unresponsive that every action is a coin flip that depends on the stupid animation the game decides to play. The time window in which that action will take place varies so much that you end up having no idea what to do and when. It's such a frustrating experience gaming wise and the only thing that keeps you coming back is their brilliantly well executed and extremely addictive system of (mostly poor and untradeable) pack rewards.

    I am absolutely certain that every positive review of this game is either paid or written by an idiot.    … Expand
  15. Mikesonic8
    Dec 9, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es una mieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerda… Expand
  16. Piks_LDN
    Dec 13, 2020
    1
    Using the dualsense triggers when losing stamina feels weird now. The fact that pro clubs doesn’t carry over is a big miss and very foolish from EA. It’s literally the same game pasted each year don’t buy it don’t give them the money
  17. Andresu
    Dec 10, 2020
    2
    Fifa 21 on PS5 is as good or bad as Fifa 21 on PS4, but this „graphical update“ is sham. When watching the trailers with Messis or Allisons hair moving or other star players like Mané are sweating, you expect that all other player getting the same graphical update... but nope! That’s not the case. 99,99% of all players look the same as on PS4, especially the ones from smaller clubs as wellFifa 21 on PS5 is as good or bad as Fifa 21 on PS4, but this „graphical update“ is sham. When watching the trailers with Messis or Allisons hair moving or other star players like Mané are sweating, you expect that all other player getting the same graphical update... but nope! That’s not the case. 99,99% of all players look the same as on PS4, especially the ones from smaller clubs as well as nearly all players in the squad of Barça (except Messi, of course)...… Expand
  18. Sucate
    Dec 19, 2020
    0
    The game now is quicker on the loading and have some cool scenes pre-match but it's still the same pay to win and scripted game we all know, unacceptable
  19. LogMan56
    Dec 11, 2020
    0
    Will we change the generation of consoles just to have faster loadings? This is unacceptable.
  20. Fortheplayers
    Dec 19, 2020
    0
    In 2020; It’s debatable whether FIFA 21 is worse or the pandemic
    The actual FIFA is the one to blame for giving exclusive to EA
  21. Mohamad4alinzad
    Dec 8, 2020
    0
    another ****
  22. DSouls_guy
    Dec 13, 2020
    9
    Have to say fifa 21 on ps5 looks very clean and better, however you can tell that fifa 21 is still a last gen game with better graphics. Now the ps5 controller's haptic feedback is a fantastic treat for football ⚽️. Even though I HATE the cash grab fifa has become I still think this is worth a try.
  23. MinePlay512
    Dec 5, 2020
    9
    I have to say I was impressed with the upgrades from the Next Gen. Still feel like there should be more. I am excited to say that I want to see the long term option. This is a start however. I can't wait to see the future ahead.
  24. Procyon0916
    Dec 6, 2020
    10
    It is a sports game that applies haptic feedback and adaptive trigger, which are functions of DualSense, well :)
  25. Beanz007
    Apr 2, 2022
    0
    More of the same from EA. Trying to exploit the community and take all their money with ultimate team.
  26. mfmaxpower
    Apr 16, 2021
    5
    Such a poor game. Bland visuals. Awful AI. Some real janky animations. Worse, the game plays little like football. Defending is a joke. Players don't feel good controlling. There's little real skill or challenge in scoring whereas defending is one of the most frustrating gaming experiences. Even if you're competent, it ain't fun.
  27. Lesiub
    May 7, 2021
    0
    **** this game. Nxjdjxdh3hehhe3heehehehehebhdhejebdbdj3j3j3bendjdjdndbdbdbdbbdx
  28. Arsalan99
    Mar 22, 2021
    0
    Same sh*t, different year. EA really needs to fix this game once and for all. Also the game is scripted as f*ck.
  29. brat_danila
    Jun 8, 2021
    0
    Game is nothing like football, it’s ridiculous to even watch gameplay, even worse to play it yourself. It should be free play at this point. Give us football SIMULATOR for the money
  30. Lumic
    Mar 3, 2022
    0
    don't mix politics and games, how do you treat us the way we treat you, now I know what kind of company you are and how you deal with players, I will never buy your games again
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Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2020
13
#13 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2021
    75
    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]
  2. GAMES.CH
    Mar 3, 2021
    86
    FIFA 21 for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S is definitely best and most beautiful version of this years FIFA-outing. It gives a glimpse on things, that can become a big thing in the next couple of years, but also fails to make changes on certain lackluster gameplay-features of the game.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 8, 2021
    70
    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]
See all critic reviews »