The game I want to analyze is FIFA 14. It was launched in 2013 by EA sports. It is a football simulation video game.  I have been following the FIFA series since 2007. It has evolved a great deal since then. It has many different modes, the most popular one being the story mode which is called the Career mode. Here you have two options, either you can start as a player or you can manage a team. FIFA 14 also has the provision of multiplayer, where one can either play locally with friends or one can play online with other people.

Analysis

Lens 1: Elemental Tetrad

Overall, the 4 aspects are balanced. Though the story is less detailed, but it goes well in accordance with the game.

1. Mechanics: FIFA 14 mechanics differ from its previous versions in two key aspects. First is when the player shoots the ball towards the goal. In FIFA 14 the shots look much more real and the ball behaves similar to what it would behave when an actual player would shoot it. The other aspect is the player movements. It appears that they have gone a little overboard trying to make the player movements appear real. Though the fall through reaction immediately after shooting or passing seems real, but the way they receive the ball is sometimes a little unreal.
2. Story: There are two main types of story modes, one being the ultimate team and the other career mode. In ultimate team mode one gets to build his dream team by earning money and buying, selling and loaning players. In the career mode there are 2 options, the manager mode where you can manage a football team and the player mode where you start off as a single player, advance your skills, try to become a star and eventually retire after which you can choose to be a manager.
3. Aesthetics: The aesthetics of the game are really detailed. It has stunning graphics. The players’ avatars seem very real. So does the stadium layout. The post goal celebration is also spectacular enhances the experience further. The crowd has been really improved from the past few version. Now there are 3D home and away supporters, living sidelines and the pre-match ceremonies are very well done. Even the post goal celebrations look beautiful.
4. Technology: The technology required to play the game is a good computer with a keyboard. A good graphic card is required to gain maximum pleasure from playing the game.

Lens 2: Fun

The game is immensely fun. It offers a vast variety of choices to the players. They can choose from a wide range of teams, can modify/create player formations and can play in many tournaments. It is very exciting to try and score goals and defend your goal from the opponent. Additionally, there are short practice challenges available as well to practice skills which are fun in themselves.

Lens 3: Essential experience

Playing the game gives you the experience of watching a football match in terms of graphics. The career mode effectively captures the experience of managing a football team or being a real football player. FIFA 14 commendably gives you the experience of playing as a team and of playing as an individual player.

Lens 4: Skill

FIFA 14 requires a lot of skill. It is fast paced and requires a lot of hand eye coordination. The learning curve is very steep initially. The controls also can be very overwhelming in the beginning. Also, after mastering the basic controls, one can try to perform the special tricks and challenges.  The career mode further requires management skills like who to buy/sell, managing the team, budget etc.

Lens 5: Modes

There are two basic modes in the game – Offense and defense. Both of them go hand in hand, but at one particular time you are either attacking or defending; not both. Since they don’t overlap, same controls can be used for the modes. It is very logical for the players to know in which mode they are i.e. if they have the possession of the ball, they are in offense mode and if they don’t then they are in defense mode.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the pictures posted above. They are the property of the game publishers