FIFA 17 Reviews
It was nice to see EA Canada go back to the drawing board this season. The addition of The Journey, along with their already solid on-field simulation, really helps set FIFA 17 apart for the crowd. When you also throw a brand new game engine atop the growing pile of enhancements, you end up with a simulation that more than justifies its existence. They’ve really outdone themselves this year.
FIFA 17 is another strong entry in the iconic series, and one that looks to lay the groundwork for future titles by switching to a new engine. The hyper-realistic graphics are great, with facial expressions finally helping players look more than mannequins.
There are plenty of improvements that will keep franchise fans happy and the playing time provided by Alex Hunter’s story is almost worth the asking price alone, but the visual evolution has come at a bit of a cost to FIFA’s gameplay.
FIFA’s commitment to an authentic soccer experience shines with a new story mode, improvements to graphics, an approachable learning curve, and a kick-ass soundtrack.
FIFA 17 is the biggest stride forward for football this generation. I can’t say it’s reclaimed the crown from PES, and for the players who have made the switch, you’ll still find the controls a little too erratic. But with vastly improved A.I. and more attacking options to complement the defensive backbone, this is the strongest FIFA this generation where it counts. The Journey is in its infancy, but makes a quality debut in what is the best FIFA for single-player fans in recent history, alongside a deeper Career Mode. With a more attacking mindset in-play, it’s specular running on Frostbite — if anything, we have to wonder why EA waited so long to make the switch. After three years and four instalments, FIFA 17 is the stride forward we’ve been waiting for this generation; thank you, Frostbite.
Overall, FIFA 17 takes enough steps forward to warrant its place in your gaming library this year. Occasionally EA can deliver a lackluster experience and take its position as the ringleader of football sims for granted – but with the addition of The Journey and a more refined gameplay style, FIFA 17 will satiate any footie fantasies you have for the next 12 months. Don’t be put off by FIFA’s overtly British aesthetic (Alex Hunter’s tale takes place strictly in England – and the Premier League will default itself to most of your settings), it’s a game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Just don’t be like me and take it far too seriously, otherwise you’re due to shell out some money for controllers broken out of rage…
In the last several years, this game has really set itself apart with one or two other yearly sports releases as being around the top. An argument could be formed that no other athletic franchises have benefited from the increased hardware capacity of this generation more than NBA 2K and FIFA. In my estimation, those two have been neck-and-neck for sports GOY honors since 2013. Which one will hoist that trophy this fall remains to be seen, but EA Canada has definitely thrown down the gauntlet. Gameplay needs a round of buffs and nerfs in the "finer points," but the overall base is strong, particularly for nascent engine usage. Creation of The Journey is very welcome, and should be popular enough to warrant inclusion, and perhaps expansion, next year. All of the familiar modes are on the roster with a few new tricks up its kit sleeve here and there. Throw on expected opulent sights and sounds, and what we have is another worthy addition to the physical/digital shelf. If this is a usual 12 month purchasing decision for you, absolutely no reason to stop now. Uninstall 16 and get up with the new team!
In the PES vs. FIFA stakes, we're giving this year's bout to PES. However, that doesn't diminish how good FIFA 17 is. It's a superb football game, marred slightly by a few annoying flaws. As an overall package, FIFA 17 also delivers in spades. Back of the net!
In all honesty, people are going to rate FIFA 17 very differently and it’ll largely come down to how much you value the single player experience and just how much you enjoy it.
Ultimately, I feel as though FIFA 17 hasn’t significantly improved over last year’s effort. Sure, The Journey adds a new mode to play through and the graphics look great, but gameplay wise, I don’t see anything majorly different. EA has tweaked areas that didn’t need tweaking. I don’t like the new penalty and set piece system and the AI still suffer from bouts of strange behaviour. That said, FIFA 17 is still an excellent football game that will keep me coming back for more.
The Journey makes the purchase worthwhile and the rest of the content will keep you playing for months. FIFA 17 delivers as per usual.
FIFA 17 feels like an evolution, rather than a marginal update.
EA have refined and near perfected the soccer simulation, but also experimented with some bold ideas that work well and breathe new life into this veteran series.
FIFA 17 is hands down the best FIFA game I have played in years. It nails the atmosphere and intensity of playing a match in a large arena with an energetic crowd, it introduces a great, new story mode with emotion and loads of character, and it has some of the best gameplay of the series. EA knocked it out of the park with this one (sorry, wrong sport) and has potentially changed all future EA Sports titles for the better.
New game engine, improved mechanics and a story-based campaign prove that the beautiful game can get even better.
By and large, sports games are an easy year in and year out moneymaker for a lot of companies who have a stranglehold on their market.
FIFA 17 makes a convincing argument for replacing players’ copies of FIFA 16.
FIFA 17 utilizes the Frostbite engine to reach new heights, but its gameplay suffers in a multiplayer setting.
When all is said and done, EA Sports has provided another rock solid title that caps off another impressive year for the gaming giant. Yes, the title still contains all the favorites fans love from the franchise. However, this year is all about so much more - Alex Hunter and his promising career. EA could have stripped the title dry and only provided The Journey and I’d still give it a positive score. The game mode is simply that good. Throw in a few gameplay improvements and you have yourself one heck of a new installment in the FIFA family.
Another step towards dominance