‘Is this real?’ It was a simple question but revealed so much about FIFA 18. The new game feels closer to reality than ever before.
For the last decade, EA Sports have dominated the football game sphere and this year’s edition will not see them lose their stranglehold. In fact, it might just strengthen it even further.
From the moment you boot up FIFA 18 it is impossible not to recognise how much better it is.
FIFA 18’s graphics are the best yet and players on the game have never looked more realistic
Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration is in the game and looks every bit as the real thing
From the moment you boot the game up it’s clear to see how special this year’s edition is
A friend who happened to be sitting in the room highlighted it when they asked if it was a TV Game. The camera swung around the Santiago Bernabeu before cutting to the pitch. Then came the query. No – but my word does it come close.
There has been so much work on the graphical side of the game over the last year.
One key focus has been on atmospheres, but across the board it looks so much better.
A lot of work this year – as opposed to last year – has gone into the graphical side of the game
Lighting systems have been innovated to make what happens on the pitch look like the real world. Certain camera angles could be taken straight out of Super Sunday. The players look, move and play football like their counterparts.
When you score, shots of impeccably rendered crowds flash across the screen. They look so much better than before. They charge forward and try to celebrate with their players – although there are no bookings for over-exuberance.
Then the gameplay itself comes into it. One complaint over the last few years is how easy it is to game certain aspects of FIFA and then how difficult it is to replicate real goals in-game.
Lighting systems have been innovated to make what happens on the pitch look like real world
For example, Manchester City favour low through balls and crosses. It is a key part of Pep Guardiola’s tactical outlook.
On last year’s game – and, in fact, for a few editions prior – the regular through ball was useless compared to the lofted one. Games could be settled by who managed to hammer the ball forward in the right way.
Now a combination of new features allow you to copy goals. When it comes off, it feels immensely satisfying.
Real player motion is the landmark feature. They’ve used new motion capture techniques to represent football better than before.
Real player motion is the landmark feature and uses new motion capture techniques
One key focus this year has been placed on atmospheres within the stadium
While that might sound like tech-babble, on the pitch it means players move like you might expect them to.
So when Benjamin Mendy latches onto a perfectly weighted through ball to convert, you feel like the game has been designed to make that happen.
Feeding Leroy Sane on the same wing not only opens up the chance to cross, but also comes with a vague guarantee that said ball should be met by a striker. They realised crossing was an under-appreciated feature on last editions and have improved it.
Even having a player try and jink and create space for himself is more plausible, courtesy of a change in dribbling.
Players look more realistic in their movement and that makes for a more satisfying feel
There are now frame-by-frame alterations to animation, which means you can change your plan with the same speed of thought as Lionel Messi.
That is both on the attacking and defending side. No longer is there the sense that you as a player have been scripted into moments on the pitch.
When you add in the quick substitutions, new broadcast presentation overlays and fresh stadiums, it all makes for a better in-game experience.
Around that, other modes have also been improved. Career mode is much more true to life. There is little more satisfying than seeing a news clip in which your player has been handed the player of the month trophy.
No longer is there the sense that you as a player have been scripted into moments on the pitch
Ultimate Team, which is a key aspect of the game for any serious player, has been made even better with ICON stories and squad battles.
Daily objectives now give any player a reason to keep playing – not that the majority need any encouragement.
But the core experience is what really counts. Picking up the controller with your pals ahead of a long afternoon session has never been better. And that is what you want to hear before plonking down your £50.
FIFA 18 is the best football game on the market, hands down. They have done it again.