Player ID is a feature sorely lacking in most sports games apart from the ever excellent 2K14 series. You would think that something as paramount to sport would be included in EA's juggernaut by now, but year after year they churn out the same recycled player models and running styles. PES 2013 nailed the aspect of playing with the world's best players and what it felt like to dribble with Ronaldo, control the tempo with Xavi and dominate with Thiago Silva and while it was subsequently dropped when Konami integrated their new Fox engine, it still created the blueprint for the next step in football games. EA would do well to use their various licences to incorporate as many playing styles as possible. They should let Iniesta dance with the ball and John Terry rough up opponents, and introduce mentality and aggression as well as unique animations and passing ranges as the game goes on. And some players should be allowed to walk around the pitch instead of jogging. Celebrations and unique boots should not be an afterthought: player individuality is one area where PES still reigns supreme over FIFA. At the moment, every player feels the same which really detracts from the experience. In short, EA need to concentrate on the personal side of football for a change.
Barry O' Halloran has been a whatculture writer for the last two years and having recently graduated, now plans on writing about games & movies until his hands fall off. Follow him on twitter!
