FIFA 22 Review (Hugs for Everybody)
I've had every Fifa since 2002. They have been steadily going downhill since FUT was introduced. The gameplay caters to esports players with no attempt at the realism that career mode enthusiasts such as myself crave. The AI (opponent and AI controlled teammate) logic is laughable. Other than the kits you cannot tell if you are playing against Man City or Norwich - each AI opponent attacks essentially attacks you the same way. I find it exhausting that I need to constantly change players on defense to get them into the correct position (oh CR7 is running thru the center of the park? don't worry about it). My wingers are completely marked by the fullback on the touchline, but perfectly happy to stand there with no attempt to find space. All defenders close down in straight lines, giving the attacker leverage to the inside. I've attempted to fix this by means of the Operation Sports sliders (who have done tremendous work for a decade), but even that cannot fix the gameplay issues. Goalkeepers are letting loose balls lie in the box 6 feet in front of them while players are on the floor, none of the other 10 players in the box can be bothered to collect the ball, so whichever player that fell down gets up first will gain possession.
The transfer logic is a joke. Top tier players are changing clubs every other season. Teams are stockpiling 3 world class RBs, but won't address LB. 77 rated English role players are going to Spain. Liverpool is constantly selling Jordan Henderson, Arsenal are featuring Mo Elneny, City aren't starting KDB.
They finally brought back create your own club, but I can honestly say I'd rather not have it. The lack of customization is astounding. There are 20+ kit colors that I can pick from, but I am limited to ~10 crest colors, AND they are all predetermined? It's not hard EA, I've seen you allow more customization in the NHL franchise - give me the ability to customize each color in the crest and give me the ability to pick my own colors from the color wheel.
I get it, FUT is the EA cash cow, so most of the dev work will go there, fine. Can you spin off a separate gameplay AI for career mode? Or at least give the player the option of which AI gameplay they want (FUT arcade style or realism). You're losing the fanbase (career mode players) that made FIFA the #1 game in the world for a decade. Is it intentional? Make career mode so poor so we all give up and solely play FUT?