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FIFA 21 (PS4) Review
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports / Football
Release: 2020
FIFA 21 is another polished and feature-rich entry in EA Sports' long-running football series, delivering a familiar but refined version of the established FIFA formula. On PS4, it doesn't represent a revolutionary leap over FIFA 20, but improvements to gameplay, Career Mode, VOLTA Football and Ultimate Team make it a stronger overall package.
The biggest improvements are found in the way football feels on the pitch and in the expanded management options in Career Mode. Agile Dribbling, improved attacking movement and Creative Runs give players more control, while the Interactive Match Sim provides managers with a new way to experience an entire season. However, FIFA 21 also highlights the increasingly incremental nature of the annual series.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The basic football remains responsive and accessible, with passing, shooting, defending and dribbling forming the foundation of the experience.
One of the most noticeable additions is Agile Dribbling, which gives players greater control when attempting to create space around defenders. Creative Runs and improved attacking positioning also make movement away from the ball more useful.
Matches can feel faster and more attacking than previous entries. Building an effective move through midfield, beating a defender and creating a scoring opportunity can be extremely satisfying.
Strengths:
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Responsive controls.
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Agile Dribbling adds greater attacking control.
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Improved off-the-ball movement.
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Creative Runs provide additional attacking options.
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Large variety of tactical approaches.
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Excellent selection of teams and competitions.
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Strong combination of accessibility and depth.
Weaknesses:
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Ball physics can occasionally feel inconsistent.
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Defensive AI isn't always reliable.
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Some matches can become overly frantic.
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Gameplay changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
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Certain mechanics can encourage aggressive attacking play over patient build-up.
The overall gameplay is enjoyable, although experienced FIFA players may feel that much of the underlying formula remains familiar.
Career Mode
Career Mode receives one of the most meaningful upgrades in the game.
The biggest addition is Interactive Match Sim, which allows you to simulate matches while observing events through a tactical interface. You can jump into the match at any point and take direct control, then return to simulation when you want.
This is particularly useful for players who enjoy managing a club but don't necessarily want to manually play every single match.
Training has also been improved, with better control over player development and the ability to influence players' positions. Match Sharpness provides additional information about player readiness, while transfers and squad management receive various quality-of-life improvements.
The result is a considerably more engaging managerial experience.
Strengths:
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Interactive Match Sim.
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Improved player development.
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Better training management.
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More meaningful squad management.
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Improved transfer options.
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Youth development remains rewarding.
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Good balance between management and playing.
Weaknesses:
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Presentation is beginning to feel dated.
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Some management systems still lack depth.
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AI decision-making can occasionally be strange.
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Long-term Career Mode can become repetitive.
Career Mode is arguably the strongest reason to choose FIFA 21 over some of its predecessors.
Final Verdict
FIFA 21 is a strong football game that improves upon its predecessor without fundamentally changing the series. The actual football remains enjoyable, with Agile Dribbling, Creative Runs and improved player positioning giving attacking play more variety and control.
Career Mode is the standout improvement. Interactive Match Sim, better training and player development make managing a club considerably more engaging, while VOLTA and FUT Co-Op provide additional ways to play.
The main problem is that FIFA 21 feels like an incremental update rather than a major evolution. Players coming directly from FIFA 20 will recognise most of the experience, and some long-standing problems with AI, physics and presentation remain.
Nevertheless, as a complete PS4 football package, it is difficult to fault the sheer amount of content available. Whether you want to manage a club, build a dream Ultimate Team, play street football or simply have a quick match with friends, FIFA 21 provides plenty of options.
Score: 8.5/10
