FIFA 17

Gameplay

New features in FIFA 17 include attacking techniques, a physical player overhaul, an active intelligence system, and a set piece rewrite. Squad Building Challenges and FUT Champions were added to FIFA Ultimate Team, but these modes were not included in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions. Commentary is provided by Martin Tyler and Alan Smith, with Alan McInally delivering in-game score updates, Geoff Shreeves reporting injuries, and Mike West providing classified results for major leagues; additional commentary in languages such as Spanish and French is also available. All 20 Premier League managers' likenesses appear in the game.

New goal celebrations include Paul Pogba's 'Dab' and Mesut Özil's 'M' celebration. The J1 League and J.League Cup were featured for the first time, with Gamba Osaka's Suita City Football Stadium added. 18 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A teams appear, though Corinthians and Flamengo are absent due to exclusivity deals with Konami; five Série B teams are also included, and Brazilian teams have generic player names that cannot be changed. Women's teams return, with the Norway women's national football team added, while Camp Nou was removed and El Libertador added due to Barcelona's exclusive deal with PES 2017.

The Journey

FIFA 17 introduced a single-player story campaign called 'The Journey', available on PS4, Xbox One, and Windows. Players control Alex Hunter, voiced and modeled by Adetomiwa Edun, a young footballer aiming to make his mark in the Premier League. At the start of the season, the player can choose any Premier League club for Hunter.

The character can only play in upfield positions: right winger, striker, left winger, or central attacking midfielder. The story includes a dialogue wheel similar to the Mass Effect series, and features cameos from footballers such as James Rodriguez, Marco Reus, and Harry Kane. Alex Hunter is a 17-year-old from Clapham, London, whose grandfather, former English striker Jim Hunter, scored 22 goals in the 1968–69 season.

Under his grandfather's guidance, Hunter aims to play in the Premier League. During the finals of a 2009 youth tournament, Hunter and his best friend Gareth Walker participate in a penalty shoot-out; a scout later remarks on Hunter's talent to Jim Hunter. Seven years later, Hunter and Walker take an exit trial; if Hunter succeeds, he signs for a Premier League club, and Walker joins the same club. Both attend the club's pre-season tour of the United States, playing against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain.

After starting most games as a substitute, Hunter is loaned to Newcastle United, Aston Villa, or Norwich City following the signing of Harry Kane or Ángel Di María by his parent club. On loan, Hunter reunites with Danny Williams, who also participated in the exit trial, and they become close friends. When recalled, Hunter learns that Walker is heading to their rivals.

Did You Know?

• The first demo, released on 13 September 2016, included eleven teams: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Gamba Osaka.
• Marco Reus, Eden Hazard, James Rodríguez, and Anthony Martial were announced as official ambassadors of the game.
• During the 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated FIFA 17 for 'Sports Game of the Year'.