I genuinely don’t believe it’s a server or connection issue exclusively. The gameplay mechanics just aren’t balanced properly.
1) Trivelas/Finesse shots outside the box with no real rhythm to them are ridiculous. Most of us can tell in the beginning of the game if your opponent has Son/Salah/Griezmann that they’re going to spin around outside the box and shoot a prayer of a finesse shot. They will do it over and over again until it goes in.
2) No tackle cooldown/attackers with sub-40 standing tackles making CB like tackles. Playing someone who just spams tackle is more frustrating than it should bc they’ll whiff on a tackle and be on you again before you can take another touch.
3) Any sort of lobbed pass being chased down with players moving as fast as the ball. I’ve lobbed passes over a defender marking me to someone about 20yards away for that SAME defender to chase me down and spam tackle before I could finish my first touch.
4) Passing delay/inaccuracy. There’s been countless times when I’ve had a boosted KDB facing the player he was passing to delay the pass an extra second or 1.5 seconds so the ball will be intercepted. I noticed the power meter going up on input so it’s not a server issue. Or I’ll try to dink the ball over an out of position defender with a very light tap and he’ll kick 30 yards down the field into a defender.
5) AI inconsistency: Attacking AI can be mind numbingly frustrating even when you try to manually trigger runs. With the way defense AI is and recovery speed from undisciplined, reckless defense, it’s aggravating watching players standing around or totally disobeying instructions leaving you high and dry on a run. Midfield AI is good in high depth situations, but your backline is typically very bad in most situations when it comes to closing down long through balls and ground passes. I’ve scored so many goals and have been scored on so many times that the AI could’ve just made an easy tackle and just watched me do my thing. Also a lot of cutbacks most people concede should be easy interceptions.
6) Goalkeepers: I think it’s universally accepted how bad the keepers can be at times. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned though, is the keeper coming out of the goal on his own to challenge someone just to get torched.
7)Inconsistent pace: Having pacy players, for me, can be hit or miss. Some situations they are suitable, but most times it’s just like everyone is faster than me. I’ve got Vini, Salah, etc most of the time even when I’ve got nothing but green grass in front of me I will get chased down from behind with damn near anyone. Almost ALL of the time if I give even a slight sliver of space I will get ran past by just about anyone.
8) There are times, even when I’m light with the left stick, where my players are moving like they are on ice.
9) Lack of variety in the way people play end up making the game a little boring and aggravating. 80% of people I end up playing are trying to run to the byline for a cutback, turn merchant around edge of the box for a finesse, and now with Bacha trying to turn merchant for a cross. Games don’t have any real flow it’s just people trying to get to their favorite imbalanced mechanic.
10) Deflections, while better, still happen to much. My biggest issue here is it seems like more often than not it lands right at an attackers feet whether it’s a deflected shot, pass, or a shot that hits the post. At least make them have to run to the ball most of the time instead of going “coincidentally” directly to an attacker.
11) Big, strong players being nearly useless because even with good strength, good balance, and good ball control you can protect the ball against someone running full speed into your back and tackling around your player in a split second. I’m not talking about cheesing with protect ball, but moments where it makes sense to use it for a second with a player it should work with don’t seem to work out like that.
I’m sure I left some issues off the list but man this game would be absolutely AMAZING if they just fixed those things. As it is right now, I know I can’t do another year of this. I’ve finally reached a point where I can really move on from this game because I only enjoy it about 10-15% of the time I play it. I wonder why I play it as much as I do and don’t have a good answer other than I’ve already paid my money for it.