FIFA 21 is the latest installment of the famous football simulation video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. You can play the game on multiple platforms, including:
- Nintendo
- Stadia
- Windows
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One (including Series X & S)
Career mode was introduced to the game in 2004, and it splits into two different modes – Manager Career and Player Career.
In “Manager Career” mode, you will be responsible for the team's success, make all the tactical decisions, and complete business and strategic objectives. In Player Career, you are in charge of a professional player, and you have to climb the virtual ladder and become a football legend. You might even be able to retire and continue as a manager if your career was promising.
There have been numerous changes to the game with each new release, including changes to Career mode. During the previous FIFA Series games, fans complained that not many changes were implemented to Career mode. This year, developers have decided to surprise players and add some new features. We will try to explain each new feature, so you can be prepared once you start playing.
Contents
Interactive Match Simulation
The Interactive Match Simulation feature allows you to start the action at any time during the 90-minute match while you simulate games. There are plenty of opportunities to turn the game in your favor as long as you keep your eye on the dots to see if you can take advantage of any situations.
Player Development
Picking young players and developing them into capable pros is an essential aspect of FIFA. In the past, game creators relied more on player transfers when it comes to developing the squad and player, but in FIFA 21, you will be able to get the best out of the Player Development feature. You can develop your players based on their position and your style of play. This stat is measured via the XP accumulation, and its distributed equally among all Attributes. Still, there is a chance for you to customize it by activating a custom Development Plan for each position. Developing a player takes time and skill, so it's up to you if players with potential will become a legend or not.
Player Position Conversion
Position Conversion is a sub-feature of Player Development, and it allows you to train players in more than one position. This has been requested for a long time, and developers have finally added it to the game. The key here is that all the XP you earn will go toward the Attributes related to the new position you converted your player.
New Match Launcher
The latest Match Launcher gives you the options to launch each game in three ways:
- Play Match – this is the traditional gameplay style of the game.
- Quick Sim – this allows you to see the result of the match without the playthrough instantly.
- Play Sim – this will launch the new Interactive Match Simulation feature.
Before you start a match, you will be able to see the opponent's probable sheet, too, so you will be able to make more efficient decisions, and the kit selection process is now automatic, so you can get to playing faster.
Player Sharpness
Sharpness is a new stat added to the game, which will indicate how “ready” a player is for the next match. A player with a more than 50 Sharpness rating would essentially perform better, and his main Attributes would be boosted. The opposite goes if the player Sharpness is below 50 – his Attributes would be reduced.
New Active Training
The Active Training system introduces the so-called “Training Day,” which you can use to prepare your players for the upcoming match. During each day, three training session slots are focusing on a specific drill or player. You can set up to fifteen players to participate in each training day, and you can improve stats such as Shooting, Dribbling, Defense, Passing, and Set Pieces. Training days are pre-set with the appropriate drills, players based on your Team Sheet, but you can modify them anytime you want.
Team Schedule Planning
The Team Schedule Planning feature allows you to control what your players do every day so that you can build their Sharpness levels, Morale, and Fitness. These three factors determine if your club will be successful long-term and are very important. There are three activities you can set for each day:
- Rest Day (gains less Fitness but doesn't affect Sharpness that badly and even boosts Morale a little)
- Training Day (improves Sharpness at the cost of Fitness and Morale)
- Recovery Day (Gains Fitness but decreases Sharpness most)
New Transfer Options
There are three main improvements when it comes to transfers in FIFA 21 Career mode. First, you will be able to loan the players and have the option to buy them later if they keep their performance high. Another change is that AI will now be able to make player swap proposals instead of the traditional cash transfer offers you might have gotten in the past. There are also some changes in AI-controlled clubs regarding contract renewals, which you might like.
