FIFA 21 is the new launch of EA Sports that brings many new features compared to its predecessor FIFA 20. Among the main changes, FIFA 21 features a new narration as well as considerable improvements in gameplay and updates in popular menus and modes, such as Career Mode and Ultimate Team. Both games are available in physical and digital media for PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 (PS4), and Nintendo Switch. Later, FIFA 21 arrives for Xbox Series S and X and PlayStation 5 (PS5). Check out the analysis made by Techidence about the main differences between FIFA 20 and FIFA 21.
Playability
FIFA 21 brought a lot of gameplay news concerning FIFA 20. EA improved several factors that were the target of complaints among some fans of the franchise in the predecessor game, such as the difficulties in scoring goals from airballs, bringing more realism to the matches. Other relevant changes were ball control and dribbling, which can be done in a more controlled way.
As usual, with each edition, FIFA changes some aspects of the scoring. The ball contests are more realistic in the new game and the user has more control in the defensive organization, but this has also increased the difficulty in hand-to-hand combat. In FIFA 20, the approach of the second marker was automatic, whereas in FIFA 21 this situation must be controlled manually by the user and in many plays – a wrong decision can have great consequences on the scoreboard.
Modes
FIFA 20 introduced new ways to play friendly matches, with a more arcade footprint, rules, and alternative scores. Besides, the game introduced the Volta mode, which recalls the context of the old FIFA Street, but with gameplay similar to the traditional soccer simulator. The Volta mode was also responsible for having a history mode, which included the involvement of Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, revealed in Flamengo.
In FIFA 21, all these additions return. The Volta mode has again a campaign where user can create their own player and compete in competitions around the world. This time, the idols Kaka and Henry are part of history. New courts were also added, like the one in São Paulo. The new game brings news in Career Mode, which now features an interactive game simulator, a system that will allow users to change the course of matches and play only at decisive moments, and new dynamics of transfers and evolution of players.
Both games feature FIFA’s classic modes, such as Quick Matches, Cup Mode, Online Cooperative Modes, and Ultimate Team, which will be detailed in the next topic.
Ultimate Team
The biggest success of the franchise comes to FIFA 21 with much news about FIFA 20. The first is the new menus, which included additions of content and changes to the team organization. However, the great novelty is the customization of the stadiums, which can be changed in all aspects, whether in the colors of the chairs, the lines of the pitch, or the goal nets. Also, users will have the possibility to customize and add features such as pyrotechnics and cheer corners, among others.
Another difference between the games is that in FIFA 21 100 idols are available in the Ultimate Team. New 11 players have been added to FIFA 20, among them are names like Samuel Eto’o, Eric Cantona, and Xavi.
Graphics
The differences between the FIFA 20 and FIFA 21 graphics are practically zero. Few visual changes have been made and EA Sports has only improved the graphics in the most recent version. The main highlight is the realistic details in the players, which are beginning to adapt to the trend of the new generation of consoles. Despite having updated many faces, as the franchise does annually, some FIFA 21 players had their appearance questioned by fans of the franchise, as is the case of Messi.
Nevertheless, FIFA 21 brings improvements to the stadiums with new internal amenities and lighting. Already in the fan issue, practically nothing has changed and the fans are still being generic and repetitive, besides being less detailed than the other aspects of the game.
Content
Besides the creation of the Volta Mode, one of the biggest news of FIFA 20 was the addition of the Copa Libertadores in its catalog. It is worth mentioning that the franchise already had the Champions League available. All major UEFA and Conmebol competitions are present, in addition to those already mentioned, the Europa League, the South American Cup, the Recopa, and the UEFA Super Cup are also licensed. FIFA 21 has over 17,000 players, over 700 clubs, 95 stadiums, and 30 licensed leagues from around the world.
Conclusion
FIFA 21 is the best version of the game that closes the cycle this year. The game arrives to correct and improve the gameplay and graphics that were presented in previous versions of the franchise. On the other hand, there is not much difference between FIFA 21 and FIFA 20 about the game itself. Since FIFA 20 brought the creation of new modes and FIFA 21 has improved each of them.
Both games have beautiful graphics and tend to please soccer simulator fans. Moreover, FIFA 21 starts a new journey, since it is the first game present in the new generation of consoles, and will be responsible for dictating the rhythm of the simulator in the coming years.
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