What is the one thing you are guaranteed to hear if you ask FIFA players what they want to see in the next game?
A 5-a-side mode, mostly likely to be referred to as 'indoor mode' like the iconic game modes from FIFA 97 and 98.
When those games were being made, someone thought up the idea that it might be fun to offer the user a more relaxed style of football with reduced numbers on the pitch, and the end product is something that has never been forgotten, as every year gamers wish it would return, knowing that for some reason it just won't.
This year for FIFA 18, however, there is a sliver of hope. Leaked footage from 'The Journey' suggests that a 5-a-side game may be incorporated into the story, but as EA Sports have remained tight-lipped on the details of the next chapter of Alex Hunter's ultimately underwhelming career, so nothing is confirmed.
What makes the lack of attention to a 5-a-side mode in FIFA particularly frustrating, is that NHL 18 has gone above and beyond to find the equivalent in ice hockey and add it to their game.
Having played NHL 18 over the past few days, I played their new game mode called 'Threes' and realised that it's everything that we all wanted in FIFA.
It's exactly what it says it is.
Reduced numbers, relaxed rules (although the important ones are still in), fast and frenetic gameplay. It's what FIFA fans have been longing for, and it's perfect.
Not only can you use any team in the game, but you can also use the All Star teams from either conference, or even a team of NHL mascots...
Even better, or worse if like me you can't understand how this hasn't been added to FIFA by now, is the fact that it's not just a quick exhibition mess around that you play for five minutes and you've seen it all.
You can play online against other players, and incredibly it even has it's own single player mode where you attempt to challenge and defeat every NHL team, which keeps you coming back to play.
It's so good, and it's such a shame that despite calls for something like this to be in a football game for 20 years at this stage, it's NHL who thought it might be a good idea to add this game mode.
I love FIFA, I really do, and I'm excited by the new game's release as I think this may be the best one in a long time, but outside of Ultimate Team there just isn't enough. I'm lucky in that I enjoy FUT enough to play it all season, but Career Mode has been put on the shelf in terms of innovation and new features, and when other EA Sports games are getting fantastic things like this thrown in, it makes me wonder why not have it in their best selling game?
Here's a little clip from NHL 18 Threes, and just imagine it was on an indoor football pitch with 5 players on each side and no out of bounds...
There's no way that wouldn't be hugely popular.
It's too late for FIFA 18, but please, EA Sports, considering adding 'Fives' or 'Sixes' for next year's title? It's what the people want.
We are hoping to have a full NHL 18 review for you in the near future, but for now we're hooked on this ridiculously fun game mode. Fingers crossed it proves to be so popular that other EA Sports titles take note.
