14 DAY TRIAL // 
Traditionally, video game developers tend to try to deliver the exact same experience on all the platforms on which a video game is launched. But this year, a number of companies are breaking the rule in order to take advantage of the improved computing power brought by the Xbox One from Microsoft and the PlayStation 4 from Sony.
EA Sports does this with its new Ignite game engine, which is being used to power FIFA 14, Madden NFL 14 and NBA Live 14, titles set to deliver significantly improved mechanics and visuals on next-gen platforms when compared to current-gen ones and the PC.
FIFA 14 is, year after year, my favorite sports-powered title and I am happy to report that the Xbox One version of the experience is an improvement, although those who are playing on the PC, the 360 or the PlayStation 3 can safely remain attached to the game they already own if they lack the funds to buy the new device and upgrade.
Story
Some gamers will argue that FIFA 14 does not have a traditional video game story, but the title brings so many possibilities, when it comes to both clubs and players, that it creates an impressive array of personal narratives and great subjects for post-match discussions.
There are rivalries that appear in the Season Mode, with a tough tackle delivered at an inopportune moment capable of creating a feud that could last for the next few occasions when we meet again in the game.
And there are the more complex stories that pop up when more than one human gamer is involved, with a little trash talk thrown in to spice things up during match and with plenty of rational discussions about tactics, player choices and game mechanics after the action is over.
Gameplay
Much of the core gameplay remains unchanged from the other versions of FIFA 14, so let’s take a look at the state of the core mechanics and how EA Sports has managed to improve them on the Xbox One.
There are three main issues that most players have reported since the game was launched in September: goals from headers that should not happen, long balls over the defense that always reach their target and player switching that leaves a gamer exposed on the defensive.
The first of them is partially solved in the Xbox One version of FIFA 14 via a new set of animations and mechanics that make headers more realistic and allow a bigger number of players to challenge for the ball.
Erratic player switching is still a problem with FIFA 14 and all gamers need to be sure that they go through their available options in order to get the right one selected for the move they are trying to launch.
Overall, the match experience is clearly improved, both in terms of presentation and actual gameplay, and Ignite shows a lot of promise for the future.
The ball itself seems to weight more, which means that less passes are wasted because they move too fast for gamers to catch and that it’s more important to carefully calibrate offensive moves in order to get to the edge of the area and deliver a good shot on target.
The players also have a clearer physical presence when compared to the PC and current-gen consoles and one-on-one duels feel more important, mainly when the attacker and the defender are evenly matched in terms of height and weight.
The AI is still a little disappointing because it tends to continually move back under pressure and is always looking to that killer ball that can unlock a defensive formation rather than attempting a risky move that could end up with possession switching to the player.
The baffling thing about FIFA 14 on next-gen consoles is that EA Sports has eliminated the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the Be a Pro mode, the Head to Head and the Tournaments.
These are not crucial elements of the game and it might be a good idea to slim down future versions of the football sim, but some gamers will certainly stick to their current version of the title because of their absence.
The loading times for the game have also been significantly improved and it’s no longer a chore to wait for weeks to pass by in the Manager Mode.
Regardless, FIFA 14 powered by Ignite on the Xbox One is a clearly superior product, a game that feels closer to the realities of football, but which also allows players to live those spectacular moments that competitions like the English Premier League deliver on TV.
Graphics and audio
Ignite has some gameplay features that make it attractive, but one of the main selling points for the Xbox One version of FIFA 14 is the fact that the game simply looks more beautiful and the stadiums now come alive and increase the emotional content.
And the game surely does deliver on the promises even though some players will be too focused on the actual gameplay to notice.
The stadiums look impressive, players are more similar to their real-world counterparts and the overall presentation style has been enhanced for all included modes.
The sound design of the game remains unchanged and continues to offer a pleasant selection of tracks from a number of bands to make the time spent in the menus pass faster.
Multiplayer
I have a long-running rivalry with a friend and we spend most of our FIFA 14 playing single matches, trying to outscore each other or simply create more interesting moves and spectacular shots.
The game makes it easy and quick to set them up, but there’s no real difference here when compared to the current-gen version of the title, although we do benefit from improved graphics and gameplay elements.
They are cool to see in action, but those who want to access these exclusive stars will have to spend a lot of money picking up player packs, because they have a small chance of appearing.
Publisher Electronic Arts has thought of the possibility and has created a process that allows gamers who own both next and current-gen copies of the game to move everything linked to Ultimate Team, Seasons, Virtual Pro and EA Sports Football Club. The various additions to the Xbox One version of FIFA 14 make it feel like a clear upgrade over the current-gen versions that I have been playing daily and that means those fans who want to get access to the best possible simulated football experience should really get it on the Microsoft device.
The Good
The Bad
Conclusion
