PlayStation 3 Review: ‘FIFA 14’

Well, and so the time has come, ladies and gentlemen. It’s been thirteen years since the FIFA series made its initial debut on the PlayStation 2 in the US. During that time, the franchise has going through a number of changes, including the development of interactive leagues and real-life moves – things which only grew to bigger and better things come the advent of the PlayStation 3. Now, with FIFA 14 – the latest addition to the long-running series – people are bidding the PS2 editions adieu and adios, as this new title is only being distributed for that now-almost-completely-obsolete console in sections of Europe and Latin America (FIFA 14 will also be the first title of the series to be released for the PlayStation 4).

And the fact FIFA 14 was developed for the PS2 and PS3 might just explain some of the decidedly choppy and rather undefined graphics players will occasionally see in this game (a number of AI glitches also occur). That said, the overall graphics are fine this time ’round. Gameplay itself is pretty familiar if you’ve tried any of the entries before, but there has to be a reason people keep coming back to this one, right? The inclusion of new menus and a revised Career and Ultimate Team Modes adds to an otherwise all-too-familiar legacy fans of the series have been enjoying all over the world for nearly two decades.

A brand new system known as Real Ball Physics is probably the greatest addition for this one – wherein the ball is now able to act more realistically in relation to the world around us (read: like a real ball!). This, naturally, makes things a lot more enjoyable when you’re on the field and frantically switching between your team members in a desperate attempt to snatch that victory from the other guys – providing you don’t do anything to tick off that referee fellow, that is.

FIFA 14 is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB. This game can also be found on: 3DS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One.