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Should You Upgrade From FIFA 21 to FIFA 22? A Deep Dive

Let’s cut straight to the chase: if you’re still kicking it with FIFA 21 and wondering if FIFA 22 is worth the leap, the answer is a resounding yes, with a few caveats. FIFA 22 delivered a noticeable upgrade in gameplay, graphics, and overall user experience. While FIFA 21 wasn’t a bad game, FIFA 22 introduced significant improvements that enhance the realism and enjoyment of the virtual beautiful game. Let’s delve into the details and explore why this upgrade is generally recommended, then address some common concerns.

Why FIFA 22 Was a Worthwhile Upgrade

FIFA 22 wasn’t just a roster update; it brought tangible improvements to the pitch. The key enhancements included:

HyperMotion Technology (Next-Gen): On PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia, HyperMotion technology was a game-changer. This utilized advanced motion capture data to create more realistic player movements and animations. This resulted in smoother gameplay, more natural ball control, and visually stunning matches.
Gameplay Refinements: FIFA 22 saw tweaks to gameplay that made it less reliant on pure pace. While speed was still important, tactical awareness, passing accuracy, and defensive positioning became more crucial for success. This led to more strategic and rewarding gameplay.
Career Mode Enhancements: FIFA 22 introduced new features to Career Mode, including the ability to create your own club, customize stadiums, and develop your players with more control. This added a layer of depth and customization that was missing in FIFA 21.
Volta Football Refresh: Volta Football, the street football mode, received some much-needed attention in FIFA 22. The addition of Volta Arcade provided fun, casual mini-games that offered a refreshing break from the traditional modes.
Graphical Improvements: While not a complete overhaul, FIFA 22 boasted improved player models, stadium details, and lighting effects. This contributed to a more immersive and visually appealing experience.

The Fine Print: Potential Drawbacks

While FIFA 22 offered a significant upgrade, there were a few factors to consider:

HyperMotion Exclusivity: The full benefits of HyperMotion were limited to the next-gen consoles and Stadia. If you were playing on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or PC, the differences were less pronounced.
Familiar Frustrations: FIFA 22, like all FIFA games, wasn’t without its flaws. Issues like scripting, inconsistent AI behavior, and the dominance of pacey players in Ultimate Team were still present, although perhaps to a lesser extent than in FIFA 21.
Ultimate Team Grind: The Ultimate Team mode remained a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating experience, requiring significant effort or financial investment to build a competitive team.

Is FIFA 22 Still Worth it Considering Newer Titles?

Even with FIFA 23 and EA Sports FC 24 on the market, FIFA 22 can still offer value. If you can find it at a heavily discounted price, and aren’t too fussed about having the absolute latest rosters and features, it’s a solid football game. The core gameplay improvements and Career Mode enhancements hold up well. However, if you’re looking for the most up-to-date experience with the latest innovations, it’s worth considering the newer titles. Furthermore, exploring the insights offered by organizations like the Games Learning Society, available at GamesLearningSociety.org, can offer deeper understanding into the broader context of game design and player engagement across different FIFA versions.

FIFA 22 vs FIFA 21: The Verdict

Overall, upgrading from FIFA 21 to FIFA 22 was a worthwhile investment for most players. The enhanced gameplay, improved graphics, and new features delivered a more enjoyable and immersive football experience. While FIFA 22 wasn’t perfect, it represented a step forward for the franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more in-depth answers:

1. What were the biggest gameplay changes in FIFA 22 compared to FIFA 21?

The biggest gameplay changes included the introduction of HyperMotion technology (on next-gen consoles), which significantly improved player animations and movement. Additionally, there were tweaks to player switching, passing accuracy, and defensive AI, making the game less reliant on pace and more focused on tactical play.

2. Did FIFA 22 have a better Career Mode than FIFA 21?

Yes, FIFA 22’s Career Mode was generally considered better than FIFA 21’s. Key additions included the ability to create your own club, customize stadiums, and develop players with more control over their growth.

3. How did Volta Football change in FIFA 22?

Volta Football received a refresh with the addition of Volta Arcade, which featured a series of fun, casual mini-games that offered a break from the traditional Volta gameplay. These mini-games added variety and entertainment to the mode.

4. Were the graphical improvements in FIFA 22 significant?

While not a complete overhaul, FIFA 22 boasted improved player models, stadium details, and lighting effects compared to FIFA 21. This contributed to a more immersive and visually appealing experience.

5. Did FIFA 22 fix the scripting issues that plagued FIFA 21?

While some players felt that scripting was less prevalent in FIFA 22, it remained a topic of debate. It’s difficult to definitively say whether it was completely fixed, as perceptions of scripting can vary greatly from player to player.

6. Was pace still the dominant factor in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team?

Pace remained an important attribute in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, but it was less dominant than in FIFA 21. Tactical awareness, passing accuracy, and defensive positioning became more crucial for success, leading to more varied team compositions.

7. How did the goalkeepers perform in FIFA 22 compared to FIFA 21?

Goalkeepers in FIFA 22 were generally considered to be more effective and reliable than in FIFA 21. They were better at saving shots, making one-on-one stops, and commanding their area.

8. Did FIFA 22 introduce any new skill moves or dribbling techniques?

FIFA 22 didn’t introduce a wealth of entirely new skill moves, but it refined existing ones and added new animations and contextual dribbling movements that made it easier to chain together skill moves and beat defenders.

9. What were the key differences between the next-gen and last-gen versions of FIFA 22?

The key difference was the HyperMotion technology, which was exclusive to the next-gen consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S) and Stadia. This technology significantly improved player animations and movement, resulting in a more realistic and immersive gameplay experience.

10. Was FIFA 22 harder or easier to play than FIFA 21?

Many players felt that FIFA 22 was more challenging to play than FIFA 21, particularly in terms of scoring goals. The improved goalkeepers and defensive AI made it harder to break down defenses.

11. Did FIFA 22 have cross-platform play?

No, FIFA 22 did not feature cross-platform play between different console families (e.g., PlayStation and Xbox). However, it did allow for cross-gen play within the same console family (e.g., PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5).

12. How did player ratings and team overalls compare between FIFA 21 and FIFA 22?

Player ratings and team overalls were generally updated to reflect real-world performance. Some players received significant upgrades, while others were downgraded based on their form.

13. Was the learning curve steep when upgrading from FIFA 21 to FIFA 22?

The learning curve was relatively gentle. While there were gameplay changes to adjust to, the core mechanics remained familiar, making it easy for players to pick up and play.

14. What was the general reception of FIFA 22 among FIFA fans?

The general reception of FIFA 22 was positive, with many fans praising the gameplay improvements, Career Mode enhancements, and graphical upgrades. However, some players still had concerns about scripting, Ultimate Team grind, and other long-standing issues.

15. How does FIFA 22 stack up against FIFA 23 and EA Sports FC 24?

FIFA 23 offered further refinements in gameplay, including the introduction of AcceleRATE, and a more significant update to set pieces, and a more streamlined menu. EA Sports FC 24 builds on this, adding PlayStyles and HyperMotionV technology. However, if you’re on a tight budget and can find FIFA 22 at a heavily discounted price, it’s still a solid choice.

Should I upgrade from FIFA 21 to 22?