The main FIFA 15 changes from a gameplay perspective

The main FUT 15 Coins changes from a gameplay perspective come with the goalkeepers and the shooting. Goalkeepers are supposed to have new animations, reactions and be “next-gen.” Well, if by next-gen EA Canada means that they’re superhero-like the one minute and completely incompetent the next, then mission accomplished. It’s almost as if the shooting has been revamped to cater for these new goalkeepers as well, who on numerous occasions I beat from 30 plus yards with a floaty top corner shot. Did they shuffle back and try and save it? No. More often than not they just stood still and watched it go over their heads like a cat with a yarn of wool dangling above their head would do.

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 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.

As for Ultimate Team, a football sim Top Trumps hybrid and the franchise’s most popular game mode, many of the old truths remain. The gameplay is faster and more arcade-like than in the other modes, and the defenders seem more error-prone. As a consequence, this encourages online players to adopt an ugly, high-pressure, route one style of football, with an over-reliance on lofted through balls to a fast striker lurking on the shoulders of the defence – simply because this tactic is so effective. Ultimate Team is a still a fun and addictive game mode, but the beautiful game it ain’t.

It’s not perfect, but FIFA 15 is the most exciting FIFA for a couple of years. A drift away from realistic defence towards more aggressive forward play replaces stolid midfield battles with end-to-end drama, and we still get all the great modes – including a stronger career mode and Ultimate Team – that gave FIFA 14 strength in depth. Most of all we get exceptional graphics and presentation, which make Fifa 15 IOS Coins look even more like the real deal on TV.