FIFA fans haven’t been entirely happy with the way the series has progressed in recent years, but it looks right now like EA Sports is looking to make some major improvements with FIFA 22. On-pitch gameplay enhancements have been detailed quite a bit since the game’s announcement, and EA Sports has recently also shared other details. In addition to detailing improvements being made to the Career Mode, they’ve also dropped new information on how Player Career mode is changing.
Player Career mode will now also allow you to come on as a substitute in the middle of matches, while there’s also a new Manager Rating system that will govern how your team’s manager rates you. Completing objectives and playing well will improve your rating, allowing you to go from being a bench player to a starting XI player. Of course, failing to impress the manager will mean reduced play time. Meanwhile, requirements for getting more time on the pitch will vary depending on the quality of the rest of your squad, so the better the squad, the better you’ll have to play to guarantee playing time.
Match objectives have also been reworked, with each match presenting you with fresh objectives that will vary based on your playing position, the quality of whatever team you’re playing against, and the formations that both teams are using.
Significant changes are also being made to progression. Player growth for created players will now be based on earning XP and levelling up, which will vary based on training, completing match objectives, and winning match rewards. Levelling up will reward you with skill points, with which you will unlock attribute boosts in branching skill trees. There’s also a new Perks system, with several Perks being available across four categories- Attack, Defense, Goalkeeping, and Chance Creation. You’ll be able to equip three perks at a time.
Meanwhile, the Player Career mode will also have new dressing room cutscenes which will change based on the results of matches. One interesting example given is for when your team loses the match, but you nab the Man of the Match award, and the awkwardness in the dressing room that that leads to.
FIFA 22 launches on October 1 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It will also release as another Legacy Edition for the Nintendo Switch.
