FIFA 17

Not quite top of the Klopps, but a very strong runner-up

- Ben Tyrer

Like Arsenal, EA’s premier sports series finds itself struggling to claw back the top spot after a lengthy period of dominance – it’s getting closer to the title now, but still can’t topple the resurgent PES. Maybe the dev team is paying attention to the Gunners’ transfer strategy too? After all, EA’s brought in some flashy additions that don’t radically change the style of play.

That’s not a bad thing, considering the move to the impressive Frostbite engine produces easily the best looking FIFA yet. Obvious improvements to lighting effects are just as welcome as the little flourishes, such as bootprints left on a snowy pitch. It all adds an immersive edge to the sheer volume of licenses and attention to detail.

When it comes to the 90 minutes though, FIFA 17 brings more minor adjustments out of the dressing room. Physicality gets a small refinement, with players able to throw extra weight around – tussles are now harder fought battles as a result. It initially benefits defenders who lean across forwards to nick the ball, but muscular strikers such as Lukaku can better bully centre-backs and win long balls more effectively.