It seems that EA Sports have listened to the fans with the player’s behaviour on and off the ball in FIFA 15. For example; players now make more realistic forward movements when attacking and will point to where they would like the ball played, rather than just loitering around the oppositions centre backs. When defending, the computer controlled players automatically position themselves better so when you change to that player you are set to close down or cut out a pass. The horrible first touch mechanic is still in the game, but it is not as harsh as previous FIFA, and it is more realistic.

 

The improved dribbling for FIFA 15 favors a players’ skill set and strong foot now more than ever, giving each a different dribbling style. Lionel Messi, for example, will now favor light taps with his left foot, as he is prone to do in real soccer matches. And as a result gamers will now have greater control over their players’ movements, but also the game will look much closer to real life. The extremes on the quick in-game tactics have also been extended. It is now possible to go from Ultra-Attack to All Out Attack - a switch that sees your team throw everything at your opponent. In contrast, it is also now possible to 'Park The Bus'. In terms of the menus, most of it feels exactly the same as previous titles apart from the Team Management. Making substitutions and switching tactics has been given a slight makeover. It takes a tiny getting bit of used to but ultimately seems like another step in the right direction. The usual game-modes are available as well, from the popular FIFA 15 Ultimate Team to the standard cups and career mode.

 

The entire FIFA 15 presentation is like watching a live match on TV, with improved commentary from the veteran commentator Martin Tyler and former Arsenal striker Alan Smith. They might sound repetitive after a while, but at least they comment correctly on the action happening on the pitch. The football pitches are not only immaculately manicured, you can actually see changes occurring on them during the match, with boot marks and sliding tackle trails visible. You can even see blades of grass being whipped up when a player strikes the ball. Online still plays brilliant depending on the latency. Seasons and Be a Pro in FIFA 15 is still present which remains untouched from last year. Visually though, FIFA 15 is stunning. The players of FIFA 15 look identical to who they are supposed to portray, they get gradually dirty as the match progresses and the pitch degrades as time passes. And FIFA 15 stadiums look excellently recreated with big crowds, camera crew and equipment, linesmen and even police and stewards. It’s easily the best looking football game available.

 

FIFA 15 on next gen consoles is fantastic, with all the players rendered in unbelievable realism. From Messi to Ronaldo each player looks the part with all their statistics reflecting on how they move on the pitch. The player kits look authentic and exhibit cloth physics when grabbed. On rainy pitches their clothes get wet so do the players hair and during the course of the game they get dirty and mucky. A staggering attention to detail. The stadiums resound with the chants of thousands of fans in unison, and the game is best experienced using a surround sound home theatre system or a good pair of headphones. If you're not interested in spending the time and money to build up a quality FIFA 15 Ultimate Team squad, you can dive into Tournament Mode returns, which makes a welcome return in FIFA 15. There are a huge amount of tournaments on offer, with major competitions such as the English FA Cup and German Deutscher Pokal rubbing shoulders with comparative minnows like Mexico's Apertura and Norway's Braathens Cup. Licensing restrictions means international tournaments, such as the World Cup, European Championship, and Copa America are missing, which is a shame.

 

Off the pitch, shiny new menus hide a distinct lack of new modes--that's FIFA 15 in a microcosm. Not that there's anything extra EA could possibly cram in. Career lets you manage or play with anyone, from Bursapor to Shrewsbury. Highlights of the Week let you relive recent high-profile games. Match Day alters player stats based on real world form, and Match Day Live in FIFA 15 gives you a stream of stats and stories based on a team of your choice. In Career, these stories are tailored to your own team. Enquire about a transfer and the media will sniff out the story; score with Di María on his debut and you can read about him starting with a bang. FIFA's growing relationship with the real thing makes you feel more connected than ever, whether you carve through mountains of text or merely catch it in your periphery.