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After spending a good few hours working on a current version of FIFA 22, I came away very positive about the direction the series is taking this year. Player movement is smooth and passing fast, and although I only had access to offline launch mode (it’s hard to get a true measure of FIFA gameplay without playing against another real person) , it gave me a good chance to put AI to the test.
“HyperMotion” is this year’s FIFA associated buzzword and it’s important to note that it will only be implemented on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Stadia versions of FIFA 22 (I’ve only played ‘to this version so I cannot comment on the older generation editions compare in this preview). It’s often easy to dismiss this kind of jargon as a jazzy marketing term that has no real effect on the pitch, but the truth is it does have a big impact on how football feels when it’s at your feet.
EA’s machine learning algorithm learns from capturing real 11v11 matches, then performs new animations in real time to create organic player movement, including passing, shooting and something. as easy as trapping the ball.
Players pick up the ball in their stride with ease with minimal hitches and stuttering during sprints when attempting to retrieve a pass. First-time control is where it’s most visible and players feel more flexible than ever; they no longer behave like robots whose joints need to be oiled, but like real humans reacting to a bullet coming towards them. It allows for satisfying play passages and improves smoothness as you navigate your way between players and wire passes.
It also means that there are more viable options for overtaking an opponent, especially compared to the “speed reigns” nature of previous FIFA’s. Choosing the fastest players and sprinting past an opponent is no longer the easiest path to the goal, and the focus is now much more on head-to-head battles. Instead of just holding R2 and occasionally using the bridge skill, players think more carefully about how to get past a defender, whether it’s a nimble first touch or a quick pass to get that defender out of the equation.
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I can see players like Bernardo Silva being very effective in FIFA 22 – forwards who have quick feet and the subtle movements to beat defenders, without necessarily possessing the frantic pace or raw power of the winger in the form of Adama Traore. Then there’s someone like Jadon Sancho, who has all of these traits, making playing against Man United next season a more intimidating proposition, especially when paired with the new explosive sprint mechanic, which gives an extra boost of straight line speed.
The new technology also appears to benefit forwards who historically have not been as effective in FIFA as their actual counterparts on the pitch. I have found Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku – two players who like to move the ball quickly with their first touch – very effective when playing for Spurs and Inter Milan respectively. Mid-air challenges have also been redesigned, bringing a more natural look to headers and aerial duels, again highlighted when aggregating (or carefully floating) long balls all the way to Lukaku.
Passing has good speed and while players don’t feel as fast as FIFA 21, the pace of the ball keeps 22 from feeling like reduced match speed. The new ball physics are clearly visible from the kick-off, as it glides along the turf and realistically resists when rotation is applied on inflated balls. It’s only the beginning, but the passing reminded me more (and I say so hesitantly) of PES than of FIFA. There is something satisfying about the way the ball moves from boot to boot – with a lot motion blur – it looks a lot more like the Konami game than I remember from FIFA. Passing has always been an area where PES consistently triumphs over FIFA, so this is definitely one of the aspects that got me most excited to play FIFA 22 more.
However, one area that doesn’t quite live up to the bill, at least in this first iteration, is the goalie. The quality of the goalkeepers was one of the main criticisms I had with FIFA 21, so naturally I’m glad they have a complete rewrite this year. Unfortunately, in my short time with 22, I haven’t seen much improvement. The types of stops made are more varied and it’s less predictable where the bullet will end up after it ricochets off, but they still don’t seem like the sharpest tools in the shed.
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I made Roman Bürki fumble around in a tame Timo Werner volley that I would like to catch myself. Then there was Samir Handanović, who let a cross fly six inches from his face as Luis Suarez said thank you. It’s a shame to see outfielders getting an intelligence boost, but it looks like HyperMotion tech doesn’t seemingly translate to goalies in the same way. Hopefully this is something that will be improved before release.
Finally, an improvement born in the dressing room that lives on the field is the new options of attacking tactics. Players can finally apply different styles of play to each half of the pitch, which means you can press high with attackers but also keep defenders deep if you want to prevent a counterattack. I’ve played around with these options a bit, but in truth, it’s hard to master the effective use of these tactics when playing against the AI in Kick-Off mode. I’m sure this is something that will be much more effective when building squads with tailor-made tactics in Career mode and Ultimate Team – two other areas I look forward to hearing more about soon.
So far, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the gameplay of FIFA 22. It combines the speed and flair synonymous with FIFA with the quick and satisfying shift more commonly associated with PES, HyperMotion technology promises to be. to be much more than a gadget. Now, if we can just level up these Guardians, we might be taking a look at some of the best gameplay in FIFA since the glory days of FIFA 17. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Simon Cardy can’t wait to watch live football games again and feel the pain with his own eyes. Find him on Twitter at @CardySimon.
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