

With our eye in and first impressions out of the way, let’s get into the real meat of the bat: the gameplay.

All of these options allow the player to sidestep the complete lack of licensing, as some of the user created kits and players are brilliant. The latter is an especially nice touch, even if it is a bit basic (yours truly simply had to recreate Southampton’s majestic Hoglands Park - the scene of my first 50). The extensive academy creation suite has also been filled out from its basic player/team options with kit logo creation, as well as the option to create your own stadium.

The option to play as women’s teams is also a much welcome, long overdue addition. Upon taking a middle-and-leg guard the first thing we noticed were the improved menus, now boasting a FIFA-style tile arrangement with familiar options in quick match, tour, career and competition.
