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07:00 Sep 27 Game Informer is your source for the latest in video game news, reviews, previews, podcasts, and features. FIFA 22 Review – Short Of The Goal
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Release:
Rating: Everyone
Reviewed on: Xbox Series X/S
Also on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Sports simulators have gradually garnered the ire and skepticism of their target audience. The EA Sports brand is no stranger to public scrutiny as its many franchises continue to disappoint a bevy of fans. Atop an ever-growing list of grievances are intrusive, pay-to-win microtransactions, neglected game modes, and a lack of significant enhancements that distinguish each new entry from its predecessor. In more ways than one, FIFA 22 looks and feels a lot like the previous installment. "HyperMotion Gameplay Technology" supposedly generates thousands of new animations; it helps create more life-like behaviors on the pitch. Still, no amount of technobabble and exaggerated visual effects can hide the downward trajectory of gaming's most famous football IP.
FIFA 22 starts strong with a playable primer focused on fundamental mechanics and the latest features. The tutorials slip cleverly into the overarching narrative – your created avatar is late to an important training session with the legendary Thierry Henry and two-time cover-athlete Kylian Mbappé. You rush down Paris' lively cobblestone back alleys accompanied by football freestyler and social media personality Lisa Zimouche. Though brief, sprinting past restaurant strips while maintaining ball control and honing pass techniques with excited Parisians was a blast. This introductory cinematic reminded me of the fun Alex Hunter story from many years ago. When it abruptly ended, I couldn't help but yearn for another full-length narrative.
Regrettably, FIFA 22 is devoid of plot. Volta, my favorite mode from last year – small-scale arena soccer – is missing its mildly entertaining rags-to-riches story. This time around, I had to take down AI and player-controlled teams without the motivation or structure a central plot would afford. New "signature abilities" gave me more customization options in addition to my character's sprawling skill trees. And while I enjoyed unleashing the powers of brute strength (Power Strike), unrivaled speed (Pure Pace), and defensive mastery (Aggressive Tackle) to demolish my opponents, Volta wound up feeling incomplete.
Playing traditional 11v11 football helps quell some of my frustrations. FIFA 22 opts not to reinvent the wheel because it doesn't have to. Moving down the pitch as a unified front remains tight, dribbles are still appropriately challenging (and marvelous to look at!), and the spectacle of each match is commendable. I was immediately immersed in the experience as full stadiums came to life with synchronized chants, bouts are bookended with dazzling firework displays and award ceremonies, and detailed facial expressions instill each footballer with personality. The HyperMotion Gameplay Technology makes players look more realistic as they go for sliding tackles, flashy crossovers, or angled scores, but that next-gen varnish eventually wears off; there's nothing here you haven't seen already.
My Career got a couple of welcome features. Throwing on a pair of cleats and taking to the field as an up-and-coming prodigy means that you'll have to gain the trust and approval of the coach/organization. Objectives ranging from keeping a high-performance rating to acquiring an arbitrary number of assists gave in-game minutes more weight. Between each match, I upgraded my player with attribute-increasing perks to expedite the path to becoming a starter. Whenever I came off that bench, I prioritized unselfish play and worked hard at avoiding silly turnovers. Watching my avatar's rapport with his teammates and supervisors gradually strengthen throughout the pre-season and regular season was the highlight of FIFA 22. Playing as a club manager, however, remains relatively unchanged. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Balancing roster fitness (stamina) and sharpness (gameday performance) while actively scouting for talent and staying financially stable continues to be a stimulating administrative exercise. The new create-a-team/-stadium option is a definite bonus, but this doesn't enhance the gameplay or micromanagement mechanics in any way.
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Of course, if you want to ascend the FIFA 22 ladder, participating in Ultimate Team is the fastest way to do so … if you don't mind spending copious amounts of real-world money. Ultimate Team's microtransaction formula remains the same – purchase packs that'll reward you with uninteresting kits and stadiums instead of star athletes, enter bid races for rare cards, and dedicate hundreds of hours to competing solo or against other high-tier collectors. Big spenders constantly reap the rewards, and the rest are subject to an unforgivable, overt grind. If you're a casual FIFA player, do yourself a favor and steer clear of this troublesome game mode.
FIFA 22 offers minor tweaks more than anything else. For every substantial update – new goalkeeper mechanics and female footballers in Pro Clubs – EA Canada bafflingly takes several steps back. Even something as rudimentary as the main menu UI remains untouched! I loved going pro as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed rookie, but it didn't take long for me to want to hang up that coveted jersey.
Score: 7
Summary: FIFA 22 might tout next-gen visuals and solid gameplay, but there aren't enough exciting changes to differentiate it from last year's experience.
Concept: Race down the pitch to the opponent's net … again. But, this time, with next-gen visuals and animations
Graphics: The footballers look better than ever, especially during team celebrations. Strands of hair fluttering in the wind and bouncing during light jogs is a nice touch
Sound: The commentators don't always match the excitement of play, but the roaring fans never let you down
Playability: FIFA 22 feels just like FIFA 21 – intuitive passing leads to flashy assists, complex crossovers leave inexperienced opponents rattled, and watching that ball speed past the goalie's fingertips is always a sight to behold
Entertainment: There aren't many notable changes in FIFA 22. My Career is still the most dynamic mode, and that's not saying much
Ever since the big E3 release date announcement at the start of summer, we've been providing you with regular check-ins on Shin Megami Tensei V. To this point, we've showcased exclusive looks at the cast of characters, demons, and the combat of Shin Megami Tensei V. Today, we're diving into the world's many secrets, special versions of demons that represent Bethel, and how the difficulty settings work.
As you journey through Da'at, the alternate, post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo, you receive requests and suggestions from various demons you come across. While some ask you to hand over items, others might ask you to take down other demons. Completing the quests rewards you with things like items, Macca (the in-game currency), and EXP.
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The Shin Megami Tensei series has traditionally had some difficulty spikes, so Atlus is including three difficulty settings at launch, as well as one that will be added as free DLC. At launch, players can choose between Casual (more laid-back gameplay), Normal (for those who want a bit of a challenge), and Hard (for those who want a much bigger challenge).
You can select between those three difficulties at launch, and you can change the difficulty later in the game, but if you switch from Hard to either Normal or Casual, you will not be able to switch back on that save. You can, however, continue to swap between Casual and Normal at any point in your playthrough. After launch, Atlus will release free DLC for a Safety difficulty setting, which is designed to allow anyone (including RPG beginners) to progress through the story comfortably. More information will be announced about this in the near future.
As we covered in a previous story, the protagonist cooperates with Bethel's Tokyo Branch to protect the city from demons. However, as you play, you encounter demons representing Bethel branches from around the globe. From Khonsu and Vasuki (representing Bethel Egypt and Bethel India, respectively) to Zeus and Odin (from Bethel Greece and Bethel North Europe), you interact with a wide array of Bethel-affiliated demons, all with intersecting ambitions and goals that may affect both Tokyo and the protagonist.
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Of course, Bethel representatives aren't the only demons you encounter. We've said in the past that Shin Megami Tensei V features more than 200 types of demons, including classic designs and new demons. You'll face and negotiate with demons like Idun and Aitvaras, as well as Nuwa. Nuwa works alongside Yakumo and uses part of her power to attack the protagonist. However, it remains to be seen if she'll be an enemy or ally in the long run.
During your journey, you encounter a demon named Amanozako. She accompanies you in your travels and acts as a navigator. She supports you by informing you if there are items nearby or offering up other helpful observations. Other demons can also join you as navigators rather than battle allies.
Da'at is an expansive world with drastically changing terrain, enemies to face, and various traversal challenges. Leylines allow you to save at various locations throughout Da'at. They also let you visit Cadaver's Hollow, where you can talk to its owner, Gustave, to purchase and sell items you find in Da'at. You should also watch out for Miman, Gustave's pawns that are scattered throughout, Da'at. If you find them and report back to Gustave, you'll receive rewards based on how many you've found. You can earn Glory, which can be spent on powerful abilities called Miracles.
You're also rewarded for your exploration with various discoveries. Vending machines can be found scattered throughout the world, which can be used to get relics. By bringing relics back to Gustave, you can exchange them for Macca. Treasure boxes also fill Da'at, offering Essences, items, and Macca. If you find a silver one (called Amalgams), you'll be rewarded with Glory. Magatsuhi offers you various rewards for collecting them; green heals HP, yellow restores MP, and red raises your Magatsuhi Gauge during battles. Finding and touching demon statues in Da'at raises your allies' levels while taking down Mitamas (rare demons) gives you items you can convert to Macca, EXP, and Glory. Every once in a while, mysterious red structures block your path. These Abscesses are accompanied by powerful enemies nearby, which will attack you. If you can destroy the Abscess, your path will clear, and you earn Glory.
Shin Megami Tensei V comes to Switch on November 12. For more on SMT V, head to our hub by clicking here.
