FIFA 22 review

Football season is in full gear, and that means a new entry in EA Sports’ massively popular FIFA series is here! FIFA 22 features everything from 3 v. 3 play on the streets of Cape Town to epic stadium showdowns on the world’s largest football stages. FIFA 22 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Stadia, PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch.

FIFA 22 Details

Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Stadia, PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch (Legacy Edition)
Reviewed on: Stadia
Developer(s): EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

HyperMotion technology is a game changer

EA is touting HyperMotion technology as one of FIFA 22‘s biggest new features this year. HyperMotion technology, available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Stadia versions of the game, allows FIFA 22 to have the first-ever motion capture of 22 professional football players at high intensity. To accomplish this, EA Sports uses a proprietary machine learning algorithm that uses more than 8.7 million frames of advanced match capture to produce new player animations in real time.

Sounds pretty snazzy right? So, what does this mean for the average person playing FIFA 22 or thinking about picking it up? As odd as it may sound, FIFA 22 really is the most realistic version of the game to date. After only a couple of matches in, the improvements are easy to see.

The players on the pitch move just like their real-world counterparts. Furthermore, the pace of the game has been slowed down to match that of a real life match. As a result, I truly felt like I was in control while passing and controlling the ball—the physics are spot on. Additionally, I feel like FIFA 22 is more reliant on the person’s ability who is playing the game rather than luck. And, scoring now feels like players who don’t necessarily have superstar stats actually have a chance. All these big changes to gameplay are noticeable and it’s a breath of fresh air in all honesty.

Career Mode improvements and additions

Career Mode returns in FIFA 22, allowing you to choose between managing a team of your choosing or building your career as a player. If you choose to manage a team, you will need to look after several aspects of your team’s operations, such as finances, player morale, contracts and more. While it’s nowhere near as deep or involved as say Football Manager, what FIFA 22’s career mode does offer is done fairly well.

This year, in FIFA 22, Career Mode has received some updates and improvements. Most noticeably is the ability to create your own club and customize just about everything including pitch type, goal song, crowd chants and even your rival club. While these additions and updates are welcomed, it’s nothing really ground-breaking.

Football fun with Volta Arcade

Volta, FIFA’s street football mode returns again. Once again Volta lets you create your own up-and-comer and rise to fame on the street football stage. The story isn’t going to blow you away by any means, but I appreciate the effort to draw players in. You’ll tour the world—meeting superstars, participate in skill challenges, and watch your star rise via exciting street football matches.

FIFA 22 adds more customization options this year and a new two-player celebration that allows friends to show off together. However, the most significant addition to Volta in FIFA 22 is Volta Arcade. This is a selection of minigames that you can play online with three friends. While minigames such as Foot Tennis and Dodgeball are fun, Volta Arcade is only available on weekends.

Play with your friends in FIFA Ultimate Team

FIFA Ultimate Team, for the most part, remains unchanged. This past June, FIFA 21 added the ability to preview packs and FIFA 22 includes this from the get go. Previewing the packs allows you to see which players and items you’ll get if you purchase the pack.

Squad Builder Challenges are now placed directly on the home screen making accessing them more straightforward. Overall, FUT is pretty much the same with a few fixes and updates here and there.

Realistic movement and improved visuals

Visually, FIFA 22 looks great! Well known name players such as Kylian Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dwight McNeil look like their real life counterparts. Whereas lesser known, lower league teams and players don’t possess as much detail and realism. And, thanks to HyperMotion technology, player’s movements are more life-like and ball physics are outstanding.

While FIFA 22‘s visuals are not a massive upgrade from last year’s game, it still looks great on PS5, Xbox Series X and Stadia.

FIFA 22’s small changes collectively make a big difference

All In all, I feel that FIFA 22 feels different enough over FIFA 21 to make it a worthy purchase. EA Vancouver’s addition of HyperMotion technology is a game changer on PS5, Xbox Series X and Stadia. Looking back, I’d say that some of the most notable changes and improvements in FIFA 22 include passing, match pace and goal keeper AI.

Additionally, Career mode has received several quality of life improvements, while not ground-breaking, they are welcomed. I really like Volta Arcade and think that it’s a great idea, but I’m puzzled by the limitation of it only being available on weekends.

+ HyperMotion technology adds even more realism to the game
+ Visual improvements over last year’s game
+ Improved goalkeeper AI
+ Career mode additions
+ Volta Arcade

– Volta Arcade limited to weekends only
– FUT still heavily monetized

OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF FIFA 22

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 5/5

Overall Rating 4.3/5 (86%)

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