Electronic Arts’ FIFA probably has the best Managerial (or Career) Mode out there. What actually leverages FIFA above its next best counterpart – Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer – is the availability of licensed stuff. When you are a die-hard soccer fan, licensed teams, kits and stadiums are only the minimum requirements.
However, this article isn’t about how EA managed to get all the rights and licenses that Konami didn't for their respective games, but how the FIFA Career Mode spans out as years go by (in the mode). It’s also about the things EA does and could do to see off the Career Mode as smoothly as possible when you are almost 10 season into the mode.
A new Career Mode is always a fun prospect, especially when you can choose your own club. Although the game is fascinating when you start your career with an unknown team and take it to the upper echelons, that’s a completely different story.
If you have been playing the FIFA franchise for a while now, you will know that EA actually likes to offer real-life challenges toward you, irrespective of the fact whether you control a team or a single player (via Be A Pro). However, sometimes these challenges are too challenging.
Let’s talk about the Be A Pro mode. Now we all understand that we don’t always get what we want, but why do the same three of four clubs keep on sending me transfer requests and not different clubs? I mean, I have been hooked on to the Pro mode for FIFA 13 since the day I got it for my console, and only a few teams that are only interested in signing me are Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Sampdoria.
It’s not a big deal when your overall score is somewhere around 70-75, but what about the ones whose overalls are above 85? The worst part about it is that even if you do manage to sign a contract with either of these clubs, you will know that these clubs buy everyone on the market, just like real life. The end result: sit on the bench until the next transfer window pops up.
Other issues (in Be A Pro) such as not getting to sign a contract extension (like in the Manager mode), not being able to ask the manager for a place in the playing XI, and requests for listing you as a transfer being shot down time and again are there. But we would still like to see a bit of leniency and more life-like features on the part of EA as far as moving to a new club is concerned.
The other issue is with the re-introduction of the International mode within the FIFA Career. You will notice that no matter how many games you play for your country, the news feature on the right side of your window will always tag you as a debutant. And after 10 seasons, even though you are a seasoned performer (overall 85 to 90), the national team fails to notice your capabilities, and you are reduced to a state where the team doesn’t even put you on the benches. What kind of justice is that?
Now picture this: You have played in a club for seven to eight years, amassing goals and assists that helped your team qualify for Europe, if not win. And still there’s no way you will get to become the captain or even get to take a close range free kick. Sometimes it’s quite frustrating to see imaginary players, youngsters to be precise (who EA replaces later with original ones after they have retired), getting all the acclaim for your hard work and effort.
FIFA’s Career mode is pretty unique as to how it manages to portray the real world dynamics of the game and the clubs, and the way the transfers are handled. But these are a few small things that EA could look to change or introduce. After all, if you are making everything life like, why miss out on these few details.
