FIFA 14

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What is FIFA 14

The series of popular soccer titles brought to fans by EA Sports has culminated in FIFA 14, which now provides players with more team customization and control than ever.

One of the primary reasons EA Sports invested so much money and energy into FIFA 14 was the fact that it would become one of the very first titles ever released on next-gen consoles as well as the PC. This means that fans of this genre were expecting some big changes when it came to everything from graphics and design to team customization and game play. For those who have played previous titles in this series, the first thing they will notice is how the digital world in FIFA 14 has come alive.

Each match is carried out in an exact replica of a real-world pitch and can be played in a variety of weather scenarios and at any time of day or night. Most stadiums house over 120 different unique camera angles, which can seamlessly be changed in and out of every single match. Fans of FIFA will also notice just how much the stadiums have improved, with unique fans for each match who carry out a variety of emotions and chants as the points are tallied up.

Along with a vibrant and reactive world, the new EA Sports Ignite engine has made the game play more fluid and spectacular than ever with the ability for players to control the smallest of details while their team is on the pitch. Over 1,000 new and unique animations have been created and implemented including those that will affect the game play and those that are for show. A slew of new kicks, slices, quick touches and other mechanics have been added, while other animations show the energy of the players, their demeanor and how the overall match is going.

What true FIFA enthusiasts can really sink their teeth into are the changes to FIFA's own unique Ultimate Team, typically the most popular form of game play with upward of 3 million matches played daily on FIFA 13. Ultimate Team now allows players to fully investigate the chemistry of their team and make changes to tactics on the fly with the perfect mixing and matching of skills, demeanor and aggression.

Overall, fans who already love this genre are going to find enough new features to pick up the newest title in this series. FIFA 14 helps to once again bring this sport alive with a vibrant and competitive world.

Pros:

-New game-play engine

-Improved stadium graphics

-New animations

-More control over team chemistry and tactics

Cons:

-Control over the team's finances seems like an afterthought

-Limited buildup play during matches

-No female leagues

-Second-rate soundtrack