We are inching closer and closer to FIFA 22 and with details on Madden 22 surfacing, our excitement is beginning to grow.
This week our focus is on how FIFA 22 must improve with a closer look at FIFA’s most lucrative game mode – Ultimate Team.
With the help of FIFA pro Alan "AlanAvi" Avila, we have dissected this season and where EA can build over the coming year.
Start with the positives
Before diving into where the game can improve, AlanAvi is more than happy with several aspects of the game.
In terms of general gameplay (not Ultimate Team specific), AlanAvi heaps praise on some of the new additions in FIFA 21.
The cancel skill moves have divided opinion this season, but you can’t argue with his reasoning.
Maybe they just need a little fine-tuning!
On to Ultimate Team and we have seen some brilliant content this season, with some of the brand-new promo events impressing.
Throw in the returning Festival of FUTball and we have been treated to some excellent promo events this season.
New game who ‘dis?
AlanAvi echoes the thoughts of many FIFA 21 players when discussing what he is most looking forward to in FIFA 22… fix up the AI blocks!
Not only has the AI defending been a pain in the a** this season, but attacking play has felt one-dimensional with an over-reliance on pace.
That reliance features at both ends of the pitch too with full-backs playing a more prominent role than expected.
This is an area of concern we have raised before, and we would like to see a change in how slower centre-backs manage the game.
FUT fanatic
FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) is the most popular and lucrative game mode, so it is where EA will likely focus most efforts ahead of FIFA 22.
Anyone who plays FUT will notice that the gameplay does vary from time to time, and there are noticeable differences when playing offline too.
While the gameplay adjustments are not solely for Ultimate Team, AlanAvi is clear that the AI defending does need patching as a priority.
AlanAvi has shared his ideas on how EA can improve in FUT 22 aside from the gameplay too, including some new ways to play.
This is an intriguing proposition. Could some sort of VOLTA / Ultimate Team crossover take place?
If you had one wish
Given one wish, AlanAvi says he would make changes to the dribbling in FIFA 22.
One of AlanAvi’s key reasons for this is to renew the skill gap while playing, something which AI defending has somewhat bridged this season.
A more hands-on approach to defending is preferred by AlanAvi, with less reliance on the formation or the AI to do the work for you, and we can’t help but agree!