As is the norm every September, the latest iteration of FIFA, FIFA 20, will grace us and with that, comes updated game play mechanics, better graphics, new modes and even more broken controllers. While there are a slew of new gameplay updates as per usual, the one that really stands out is the new FIFA street-esque mode called Volta. That’s right, seven years since we were treated to glorious nutmegs and crazy goals in FIFA Street, EA is bringing it all back in their new Volta game mode, and it’s better than ever.
While the original FIFA Street was a standalone game, Volta will be a game mode as part of FIFA 20 and it’s pretty much a carbon copy of the original, but with added features. 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5, each with different modes like Rush Football (no goalkeepers) and professional futsal. On top of an exclusive Volta story mode, the game will also be available to play online, even going as far as allowing you to play as a pro team in the kick-off mode. Just like in 2012, you can customize your own pro player with the works, from hairstyles to tattoos, the list goes on. What makes Volta so groundbreaking is that for the first time ever, men and women will be able to share a pitch together.
In terms of actual FIFA 20 gameplay, you can say goodbye to AI defending as EA Sports is trying to encourage you to utilize manual defensive controls more by making tackling more effective if you use the appropriate kind of tackle in the right context. Say goodbye to pushing the ball past the defender and outrunning him. Even though another player may be faster, their strength quickly comes into play, so you can’t just easily run past them.
On top of that, it looks like all you FIFA players with sick tekkers are going to have more to play with. EA Sports have went out of their way to make one-on-ones more tense by giving more time and space to the dribbler by adding more skill moves, with the chaining of these moves apparently set to have a “more realistic outcome”.
Of course, they’ve also made it harder to score a goal by making the game even more realistic than it already is. For one, ball physics have been redesigned to be more realistic by taking into account the amount of spin you put on your shots — and that’ll determine the trajectory of them. You’ll notice this on set pieces more than anything, which now give you deeper options for aiming and curving the ball. EA Sports says these changes are all about giving the game a more authentic flow.
On top of that, penalties and free kicks too have been overhauled. FIFA 20 gives you more control over the trajectory of the ball and how much spin you can put on a free kick. Let’s hope this puts an end to the antics of that one friend we all have who has a guaranteed goal from free kicks because he’s memorized the sweet spots.
FIFA 20 arrives September 27th on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC, with Nintendo Switch support in the works as well.
