Fifa 16 review - women lead the way to another title win

Pro Evolution Soccer has closed the gap on its long-standing rival, but myriad teams and features keep this the season's standout player

Alan Partridge himself may as well have penned the marketing bumph for this, the 23rd annual edition of EA's football series. Promises of - in the publisher's words - "confidence in defending", "control in midfield", and "moments of magic" intimate a return to Fifa's early-2000s nadir, where back-of-box buzz phrases overshadowed the on-pitch action. As such, it's a relief to report that these Partridgisms, while cringeworthy, are not without justification. There is substance behind the slogans.

The Fifa series has enjoyed a rejuvenation since the leap to this generation of machines, but all too often matches in Fifas 14 and 15 were dominated by players with elite pace and power attributes. Mercifully, thanks to the above tweaks - "confidence in defending" in particular - that's no longer the case. Centre backs mark snugly, constantly buffeting and tugging at even the strongest forwards. Full-backs track properly and look to step in front of onrushing wingers before they can reach top speed, while defensive midfielders break on to under-hit opposition passes, always seeking to spring a deadly counterattack.