The tweaks made to the passing, on the other hand, feel much sharper and more responsive. You can still torch a defender using skill and pace, but in the moment to moment play you might find some top athletes a bit unwieldy. It was one of the first things I noticed about the gameplay, and I never quite shook the feeling that for all the close control possible with the ball, the players themselves don't handle as nimbly as they should. Cristiano Ronaldo could burn past players with ease at full pace in past titles (as he should), but defenders often have no trouble keeping up in FIFA 16. Even Lionel Messi feels a bit slow to change direction with the ball at speed, and sharp cuts shouldn't force what seem like wide turns. There is a strange sluggishness when turning with the ball, though, and the game's fastest players don't feel particularly quick.

There are impressive animations that may remind you of moments you've seen in real games.

The digital athletes also take more realistic touches when bringing a ball down out of the air or collecting a pass. You have more control over the ball than ever when standing still or barely moving, rolling it away from a sliding tackle or onrushing defender, and skilled attackers can easily beat their man. The greater attention to fine control extends to moving with the ball, which is generally improved over last year. Shooting is simply more fun, and you'll no doubt experience moments of joy when a deft finish puts the ball just beyond the keeper's reach and into the net. There's more room for finesse this time around, and it leads to more varied scoring chances and a wider variety of goals. Players approach taking shots in a much more natural way, wrapping their feet around the ball to roll or curl it in at finer angles than were possible before. EA has altered the mechanics in some subtle ways, and the most-positive changes are to the shooting. Whether you're taking other players on in Pro Seasons, playing for your favorite club in Career Mode, or building a dream squad in Ultimate Team, the way the game plays on the pitch is inevitably at the core of the experience. Almost Pitch Perfect No matter which mode you prefer to play, it's the on-field product that ties FIFA titles together.

Fifa 16 ps4 reviews