EA Sports have released a lot of new and exciting content for their next instalment in the FIFA series, including several changes to Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs and Career Mode.
A select few in the community have accessed some key game modes… with RealSport being one of them.
We have attained access to the Beta testing of Kick Off and Volta Football on FIFA 20.
We share our thoughts and reveal whether the new game will be worth the wait.
Slower gameplay
The pace has changed, whether it’s the new Strafe Dribbling mechanic or EA have decided to just turn down the tempo, as soon as you kick off, the speed the players move is noticeably slower.
Even Kylian Mbappe with his excellent pace and dribbling, might feel good on the ball, but not as fast and overpowered as he felt in FIFA 19.
READ MORE: Everything new in FIFA 20’s Gameplay
This may mean that pace will fall behind the physical stat in FIFA 20, which is a game changer in terms of FIFA Ultimate Team and all the other game modes. This is not final remember, and pace was nullified at FIFA 19’s release, only to return to normal levels come November.
It isn’t just the movement of the players; it is also the ball speed that has changed.
When firing a long-range shot with Piemonte Calcio‘s Cristiano Ronaldo or a bullet pass with Paul Pogba, it doesn’t quite have the same effect. At the start of the game you will want to use the R1/RB button a lot more frequently than before, which makes passing something to think about.
READ MORE: FIFA 20 Pre-order details, Early Access & How to get 10% off
The great thing about slower gameplay is that it gives you more time to find that killer pass or take that lethal shot. It adds a whole new dynamic to FIFA, and that is something to look forward to when the game is released on September 27th.
The slower gameplay makes the game feel even more realistic than previous FIFA’s. It may be harder to find your rhythm at the start but after some practice you will master the new mechanics and enjoy the flow of the game.
Set pieces
Free kicks and penalties are now completely different in FIFA 20.
The developers have transformed your usual free kick taking routine, into quite a complex one.
You can now decide at the run up between; Top Spin, Side Spin, Mixed or Knuckle Ball, whilst aiming your target at the goal, adding the right power and then timing it to perfection. There’s plenty here to ponder.
Alongside free kicks, EA have also changed the penalties. They have gone for a similar idea as the free kicks, adding this new targeting and timing system, which makes penalties a lot harder to score than miss.
The new system is a good one, but it makes set pieces harder to master. When you hit that perfect timed Knuckle Ball from 30 yards into the top corner, however, it will be an incredible moment on the game.
Volta
Volta Football is the same concept as The Journey was in the past three FIFA tiles.
The tine however, you take on your own player on a street footballing adventure around the world.
READ MORE: Everything about the new Volta Football street mode in FIFA 20
The best thing about it is the amount of customisation. EA have included lots of new celebrations, hairstyles and clothing to make it a personal and enjoyable experience. This will also be seen in Pro Clubs and Career Mode.
It doesn’t just offer customisation, but also gives you a good feel for intricate passing play in FIFA 20. As the game feels slower, it means you have to adapt your game and become better at passing and moving, Volta helps that.
READ MORE: All confirmed, rumoured and wanted stadiums in FIFA 20
It is also a way to escape FIFA Ultimate Team, when you are under pressure in the Weekend League… or if you repeatedly fail to achieve Gold 1.
Volta adds a new way to play with your friends and means you can take your favourite teams to the streets of Tokyo, Paris, London and many more.
However, in terms of street football gameplay, it lacks certain aspects that FIFA Street had back in the day on the PS3 or Xbox 360.
There are no skill points for impressive goals and not every player has 5 star skills which gives a team like PSG a massive advantage over a team like Manchester City as skill moves separate players on the streets.
Going forward
The Natural Movement and Composed Finishing additions provide a whole new dynamic to attacking in FIFA 20.
It’s a lot harder to score, and timing your shots is even more important. The great thing about it is you can no longer pull off green timed finesse shots facing your own goal from 35 yards out.
READ MORE: How to score free-kick & penalties in FIFA 20
It does make any green timed finesse shots in general more difficult, and you really need to pick your moment to shoot.
Now that it is harder to score, it emphasises a lot more on patience and build up.
Attacking becomes harder and you need to be calm and controlled to fashion an opening.
READ MORE: All the info about the FIFA 20 Demo
The added pressure from tactics and player instructions means you need to focus on this a lot more before you enter a game.
FIFA 20 will be a great game. From what we can tell it will take time to get used to, but it is heading in the right direction.
In terms of gameplay, it feels very different and with all the new motion and set piece changes there is a lot to get used to.
Obviously, this is only a Beta and isn’t the end product but we can’t wait to get our teeth into the end product, when it comes out at the end of September.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about FIFA 20
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