Overall impressions on gameplay? The usual suspects - goalkeepers, through balls, long shots? Also how's the new low driven shot? Viable in-game, or just pretty to look at?
I'll try to provide the main points, but overall there are some good and bad aspects of it. I feel as if they listened to the feedback (like improving passing, defending) but went overboard with it. But that may change on final release since this is only a beta.
Passing - In FIFA 16 you were massively punished if you tried to pass on an angle, and in this it seems as if you can pretty much first time pass it every time and even do 180s. We could see some ping pong play, especially with interceptions no longer being OP. It's also a bit slower to release the ball if you take a touch.
Through balls are great, however lofted through balls seem a bit too accurate. The new threaded through balls feature is a really nice addition. Great for when your forwards have a chance to get in behind but the path is blocked.
Double and triple-tap crosses seem to be a tad more effective, but not OP. However, crosses in general are pretty accurate.
Skill moves and dribbling - Skill moves have been nerfed massively. The exits are much slower and makes them practically useless. No touch has also been nerfed but can give you good acceleration if you do it while at slow-medium pace. Dribbling alike is pretty tame. The players take smaller touches and don't really burst past defenders.
In saying that, the new modification to shielding is pretty cool. They are angled now, so the player shielding the ball responds to the position of the defender, and you can turn around them nicely. You can also let the ball run across you if its bouncing and shield at the same time.
First touch - Huge huge improvement. Passes stick now, and the game is much slicker and a lot less random. In '16 it was virtually impossible to control an aerial pass or throw in properly.
Shooting - Very different, but I like the improvement. In 16 long shots were pretty OP... could pretty much straighten up and shoot across the face top corner every time. Now they are much flatter, and the success rate is more dependent on the long shot stat of the player. High near post shots are also harder to hit, which is a relief, and keepers are more aware to it. The new low driven shots are pretty cool and are effective at the right times... very satisfying to just place it low with the keeper stranded.
Goalkeepers - Hard to tell what their strengths and weaknesses are just yet, but I expect them to change when the full game comes out (as they usually do). They seem good at some things, but I've also seen some strange animations in relation to the type of shot I was going for.
Defending and collisions - Tackles are more reliable. The impact engine is not as exaggerated, so less crazy tumbles and summersaults from the victims of hard slides in. No more hilarious bloopers but collisions have less of a grey area, meaning foul decisions are more accurate and consistent.
AI - AI teammates around you have better off-the-ball movement. They actively respond to the position you're in, so they'll come short at the right times and make runs when necessary.
Free kicks and penalties - Hard AF to get used to, but seems like something that will be good once you get the hang of it. Running and contact animations are ******ed though.
Does the ball actually curve this time around?
What do you mean by this?