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- Developer: EA
- Publisher: EA
- Genre: Sports
- Release Date: 29th September 17
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
- Game Supplied by: EA/Xbox
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Forget last year, the trials, the celebrations, the tears and many more emotions it’s time for the latest installment of FIFA from EA and I for one am much happier with this year’s game overall, but have those annoying game traits been fixed or are we in for another year of moaning about our defense and through ball passes?
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DRAMATIC MOMENTS
Score incredible goals in FIFA 18 as new movement and finishing animations unlock more fluid striking and heading of the ball. All-new crossing controls bring greater options to how you send it into the box. Whipped to the spot, arching deliveries, and pinged crosses to the back-stick will shake up your attacks in the final third.
REAL PLAYER MOTION TECHNOLOGY
The biggest step in gameplay in franchise history, FIFA 18 introduces Real Player Motion Technology, an all-new animation system that unlocks the next level of responsiveness and player personality. Now Cristiano Ronaldo and other top players feel and move exactly like they do on the real pitch.
TEAM STYLES
From tiki-taka to high press, new Team Styles put the most recognised tactics of the world’s best clubs on the pitch in FIFA 18. Enjoy more time and space to read the play through New Player Positioning, while improved tactics give players greater options on the ball as teammates exploit space and make new attacking runs.
IMMERSIVE ATMOSPHERES
Authentic sun positions, cinematic atmosphere grading, signature pitch-side fixtures, on-pitch debris, club and stadium specific banners, adaptive commentary, and changes in pitch quality all come together to bring the most immersive football experiences to life in FIFA 18. Hear authentic chants as you attack, feed off the energy of new, high-def dynamic crowds and interact with your fans while celebrating.
The Journey
Hunter Returns
After a breakthrough first year in the Premier League, the whole world is talking about Alex Hunter. He’s back for a second season and, following a tumultuous transfer saga, he’ll have the chance to compete at some of the biggest clubs in world football: PSG, FC Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and LA Galaxy.
A STAR-STUDDED CAST
Cristiano Ronaldo headlines a celebrity cast, featuring Antoine Griezmann, Thierry Henry, Dele Alli, Rio Ferdinand, Thomas Müller, James Harden, and more.
MORE TO PLAY FOR
Chapter-based, short-term objectives give Alex more to play for as he navigates through the second season of his prospering career. He’ll have the chance to compete for multiple trophies in some of the world’s top football leagues.
YOUR ALEX HUNTER
Personalize the look of Alex Hunter by selecting his hair, tattoos, and clothing. You can even pick Alex’s dominant foot to suit your playing style.
PLAY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with a friend and experience The Journey with a new local multiplayer gamplay option
YOUR CHOICES MATTER
Players will face bigger and more difficult choices that will alter the story with long term consequences. Shape the Journey In a personal way by making decisions that dictate Alex Hunter’s career and affect his relationships with characters both on and off the pitch.
NEW PLAYABLE CHARACTERS
Experience short, standalone stories with new playable characters that Alex meets through The Journey
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Let’s get off on the right foot, FIFA 18 is better than last years, no question, some small improvements and additions such as setting free kick takers and penalty takers in Pro clubs will make many smile, and now you can also have 3 different play styles so when your mate nicks your preferred CAM spot you can easily switch to a LW or CDM and get on with making your club the best online team in the league.
Menus are about the same so no issues there you have always got a great soundtrack on FIFA and this one is no different with over 40 tracks there is plenty on offer.
(FIFA 18 Soundtack can be found here https://open.spotify.com/user/easportsaudio/playlist/1Vj65Ch6pO2mnZbgm2dn07 )
Visually there is a massive improvement, player likeness is the best yet and the stadiums always looked great but with more detail in crowds now being high def, and the stadium aura being captured with authentic chants and banners for me EA have done a stunning job.
All great but now we move into the players and the game, with Real player motion capture there is no doubt it’s Ronaldo running down the wing and doing a fancy step over or two, or Ramos lunging in on that dubious tackle. It doesn’t stop there though player actions and movement is far more realistic with more natural flicks and tricks are seen in real life have been translated to the game too and it makes for a much more enjoyable experience and varied play. Again tbh there is little to fault here on a game by game basis.
Here it comes, the but…
It’s none of the above that ever bothered players it was the crazy player movement and stupid decision making by players to put a through ball between two of your players that a defender would inevitably intercept, I’m sorry to say that most of this is still there
Defending and passing out from the back is okay and perhaps slightly better but still extremely frustrating. Through balls and chips are questionable at best and you’ll be left just like last time having to alter your pay from the pass you should make to what the game will end up doing.
Not all bad though as some movement is improved and the play styles have improved which can allow for some sexy football and I have to say this translates into my favourite part of FIA last year and also so far this year The Journey, Hunter Returns
Having massively enjoyed last year’s new campaign element of the game i was really excited for this year’s new installment and thus far it hasn’t disappointed.
Check out the about section above for the overview of the new features in This years Journey.
Whilst the game itself is the same it’s the story developing and how you shape it that has me gripped, i want to see the next cut scene and find out if my temperament is going to decide things or a BIG decision that will shape your Journey and differ it from others.
I won’t spoil any of them for you but you know when you get to them that it’s big and id love to hear your choices and see the final outcomes for everyone.
Customisations are a nice addition and your skill tree is good to have adding enough to the Journey to make it interesting varied and importantly for me, how long it takes. Most nights i got on and did a little more anticipating the potential changes in Hunter’s career that were coming next.
SUMMARY
Is FIA 18 better?… YES, has it fixed all the annoying traits of gameplay and style?… NO
Does it change the fact most fifa fans will buy it? NO
Is it worth getting? YES
I’d be amazed if FIFA fans didn’t buy it just for The Journey and the co-op elements with friends including the ever evolving pro clubs so many seem to play
