FIFA 22 is not too far away from release and this year’s version is jam-packed full of new features, gameplay additions and new modes for gamers to play.
From the innovative Hypermotion gameplay technology, to new Ultimate Team and Career game modes, EA Sports’ latest effort at football’s biggest video game is sure to whet the appetite.
Sporting News examines what you can get excited about when FIFA 22 is released.
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What new gameplay features will be in FIFA 22?
Hypermotion technology
A new ground-breaking technology within the game, Hypermotion will feature in the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of FIFA 22.
EA Sports wired up players, such as Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, on the pitch to record their exact body movements during real gameplay, including while being on the ball and off it.
This data, which saw EA capture more than 8.7 million frames, will allow players within FIFA 22 to feature the most realistic movement ever seen throughout the franchise.
It will result in more than 4000 new animations included in the game to give users the most real-life experience possible.
Tactical AI upgrade
FIFA lovers have often complained about the decision-making made by artificial intelligence-controlled players within the game.
However in FIFA 22, AI-managed players will make six times as many decisions as their counterparts in FIFA 21, allowing for a more realistic experience when playing the game solo.
The AI improvements will see players make better runs off the ball, maintain a better defensive shape and take up better positions on the pitch when attacking.
Ball control, kinetic air battles and humanisation
Using the Hypermotion technology, FIFA 22 will feature significant gameplay improvements in three particular areas.
With ball control, there will be a recognisable improvement in the first-and-second touch of players, allowing for more fluidity when receiving the ball, whether on the ground or in the air.
In regards to aerial contests, EA have focused on improving the realism of duels with players bumping and jostling for position, while headers have been designed to feel more realistic than previous versions of FIFA.
Interactions between players have also been added, which will see in-game players communicate with each other on the pitch using actions such as pointing and shouting, depending on the situation in the game.
Goalkeepers re-jigged
The functionality of goalkeepers in FIFA 22 has been completely re-written as opposed to past editions, with this feature added across all versions and platforms.
Goalkeepers will feature improved shot-stopping and decision making abilities, while their animations will also be more realistic.
Well-known keepers will also have characteristics which align with their real-life skills and personalities.
What game modes will be improved in FIFA 22?
Career mode
The popular career mode will be updated with user-friendly features including the ability to ‘Quick Sim’ matches, which allows the gamer to jump in and out of the match action as they please.
The AI of clubs and players off the field has also been improved which will allow for a more realistic experience when it comes to transfers and player retention.
Ultimate Team
Significant adjustments have been made with FIFA’s most popular online game mode, including the re-jigging of Division Rivals and FUT Champions.
After complaints about how Division Rivals were structured, a more refined system has been put in place that better reflects the skill and form of any particular user.
Players will still be divided up into different divisions, but if you win more than two games in a row, you will progress quicker through the division levels than in previous FIFA’s.
There will also be an Elite Division, which will be ranked higher than Division One, and users which reach this top level will stay in it for the rest of the game’s life without the threat of relegation.
As for FUT Champions, it will no longer be the Weekend League, with matches able to be played across the week, instead of crammed into the weekend period.
There will be FUT Champions play-offs which are qualified for through Division Rivals and these matches can be played at any time.
Once you reach enough points from the play-offs, you can then qualify for the FUT Champions finals, which is a three-day competition like Weekend League but can be played at anytime during the week.
Also, once you receive enough points to qualify for FUT Champions finals, you receive a token that can be used at any time, so you can wait until you have time to complete all the matches over the three-day period.
Volta
Street football will again be back in FIFA 22 in the form of Volta, with the game mode undergoing some new enhancements.
Volta will feature more customisations for players, stadiums and kits, while a new story mode has also been touted.
What do I get in FIFA 22’s Standard Edition?
The Standard Edition is FIFA 22’s base version, which can be purchased for usage on both generations of Playstation (PS4 and PS5) and Xbox (One or Series X|S), while there is also PC version too.
It will be released on October 1, 2021.
It includes:
- FIFA 22 game
- TOTW 1 Player – a FUT card representing one of the in-form players from that week
- Kylian Mbappe Loan Item – usage of the PSG star in a limited amount of FUT games
- FUT Ambassador Loan Player Pick – usage of a star for a limited amount of FUT games
- Career Mode Homegrown Talent – a talented player included in your career mode squad
FIFA 22 will not support cross-platform play, however if PS5 users have a copy of the PS4 version, then gamers from both Playstations can match online for games, with the same applying to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One users.
What do I get in FIFA 22’s Ultimate Edition?
The Ultimate Edition is FIFA 22’s most expensive version and has extra features to the Standard Edition while also being playable across the same platforms.
It will be released on October 1, 2021.
It includes:
- FIFA 22 game for PS4 and PS5
- TOTW 1 Player – a FUT card representing one of the in-form players from that week
- Kylian Mbappe Loan Item – usage of the PSG star in a limited amount of FUT games
- FUT Ambassador Loan Player Pick – usage of a star for a limited amount of FUT games
- Career Mode Homegrown Talent – a talented player included in your career mode squad
- Four days early access to the game
- 4600 FIFA Points
- FUT Ones to Watch item – a FUT card featuring a player at a new club for this season
FIFA 22 will not support cross-platform play, but purchasers of the Ultimate Edition will be able to match online with users on the same console – no matter what generation it is.
