S&S Review: FIFA 14

Title: FIFA 14
Format: PS3, Xbox 360(reviewed)
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Canada
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: E

After a couple of years of minimal yet noticeable improvements to the best selling soccer game around, EA has pushed the envelope yet again to create the best simulation on the pitch.
Presentation: 
The presentation hasn't changed drastically at all, you may want to wait for the next gen version in November for the new level of visual fidelity, but the current gen versions still look really good.  There are a lot of subtle changes to the physics, that improve the game's animations and player movements.  The visuals have pretty much peaked, with the current generation.  When I reviewed Madden 25 and NCAA 14, I pretty much said the exact same thing.  During the 8th year of this current gen, you won't really see anymore drastic improvements visually.  EA is clearly saving the big dramatic improvements in aesthetics for the next generation.  Even with that said however, the game can still really impress at times.  FIFA's commentary never ceases to amaze me.  The great chemistry between the commentators has evolved over the many years, and it may even be considered as the best duo in sports games.  The duo in NBA 2K14 is the only pair that could be considered better than FIFA's, and that's really saying something.  There has been other minor improvements off the pitch, with noticeable UI and menu improvements that make navigating the game's robust list of modes a bit more seamless than before.  Other than that, there's isn't much else new here, aesthetically speaking.
Core Gameplay and Multiplayer:
Just like Madden 25, most of this year's game improvements come under the hood, and this year's FIFA feels the best.  The physics engine has been improved, and it feels that with every move you make, the players move accordingly.  Each player feels different, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses, and figuring out which player is suitable for each situation is essential for victory.  It's also a lot of fun to just play with each player on your favorite team and figure out which player works the best at scoring, passing, and on defense.  Showboating skill moves are a lot easier to use this time around, you no longer have to hold down a modifier, you just have to wiggle the right stick to pull off the fancier skill moves.  Off of the pitch, the modes haven't been drastically changed Head to Head Seasons,  Ultimate Team, Virtual Pro and Manager are still some of the best modes to play.  All of the teams are kept up to date, thanks to Real World statistics.  The EA Sports Football Club keeps track of all the points you earn, and it ties them to the real world team and pools them into a global ranking system.  Right alongside Career mode, that has received the bulk of the improvements and tweaks.  Some new fun mini games, brisk loading times, and refined gameplay really put the finishing touches on this year's game.
Final Thoughts:
Even though FIFA 14 lacks that one breakthrough feature, you can't deny that this is still the best soccer game out there right now.  We'll have to wait another month for the next gen version to get the dramatic visual upgrade, but the satisfying gameplay in the current gen edition is enough to warrant your purchase.
S&S Rating: 8/10 @whatsPlay