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The football world is still reeling from a record-breaking transfer window, and the virtual pitch is equally electrifying. With Konami’s PES rebranded as the free-to-play eFootball, EA Sports’ FIFA 22 faces a significant challenge. How does the latest installment in the long-running franchise fare on the PS5? Let’s dive in.

FIFA 22 Gameplay

Enhanced Game Modes and a Personalized Experience

FIFA 22 on the PS5 greets players with an engaging cinematic intro featuring legends like David Beckham and Thierry Henry, highlighting Kylian Mbappé and PSG as the new faces of the franchise. It also encourages players to create a personalized “Avatar” for use across various game modes, a clear push towards deeper engagement beyond traditional matches.

This Avatar integrates seamlessly into Volta Football, Pro Clubs, and Career Mode, all of which have received upgrades, particularly in their progression systems. Career Mode now features a branching skill tree covering various attributes, from physicality and defending to shooting and playmaking, complemented by unlockable “Perks” that offer additional boosts. A “Manager Rating” system adds another layer, requiring players to meet specific match objectives to earn playing time.

Player Career Mode

Pro Clubs introduces a convenient “Drop-In” feature, allowing small groups to quickly join random matches without waiting for a full team. Volta Football takes on a classic arcade-style approach with “Signature Abilities,” empowering players with special moves like the “Power Strike” and “Pure Pace” once their energy meter is full. Volta Arcade also includes fun mini-games like Foot Tennis, Dodge Ball, and Disco Lava.

Volta Football

While FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) sees improvements to its progression system and rewards, including new FUT Heroes, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Visually, FIFA 22 offers refined player faces and manager likenesses, with noticeable improvements to previously criticized scans like those of Mason Greenwood and Son Heung-Min.

Face Scans

HyperMotion: A Game Changer?

Heavily touted in pre-release marketing, HyperMotion is the core innovation in FIFA 22. This technology combines advanced 11v11 motion capture with machine learning to translate real-world movements into the game. Coupled with over 4,000 new animations, the result is a noticeable improvement in fluidity and realism.

AI responsiveness, particularly in defense, is significantly enhanced. Players exhibit more dynamic reactions, including diving blocks and acrobatic saves. Heading, sliding, trapping, and aerial duels are more varied and intense, with improved ball physics and net interactions adding to the immersive experience. The PS5’s Haptic Feedback further enhances these sensations.

HyperMotion Technology

Small details like pre-match locker room scenes, player interactions, and manager animations on the sidelines contribute to the overall authenticity.

Lingering Issues and Disappointments

While some modes benefit from significant attention, Manager Career mode feels neglected. Unlike the additions seen in FIFA 20 and FIFA 21, the only new feature is the ability to create a club. While initially engaging, this quickly becomes repetitive. The interface, dialogues, cutscenes, and even the Avatar creation process remain largely unchanged, leaving a sense of stagnation.

Manager Career Mode

Defensive AI improvements are welcome, with midfielders exhibiting better positional awareness. However, the marking system remains problematic, especially against quick passing and intricate build-up play. Player switching can be cumbersome, leading to defensive vulnerabilities.

While Agile Dribbling introduced in FIFA 21 raised concerns about balance, the new Explosive Sprint mechanic further amplifies pace, especially for players like Mbappé and Alphonso Davies. Worryingly, even defenders can utilize this feature, potentially exacerbating existing balance issues.

Gameplay Issues

Conclusion

FIFA 22 makes strides with HyperMotion, delivering a more realistic and fluid gameplay experience. However, the neglect of Manager Career mode and the lingering defensive issues, coupled with potentially game-breaking mechanics like Explosive Sprint, hold it back from true greatness. While the future of the franchise looks promising, addressing these legacy problems is crucial for long-term success.