FIFA 18

Pros

• The gameplay is exceptionally fun!
• Graphics and animations and sharp and customized for each player and location, dramatically enhancing the realism of the game.
• No shortage of modes to play, guaranteeing that soccer fans of all stripes can find a version of this game that they will enjoy.
• The story mode is a great addition that adds depth and personality to the game while successfully incorporating real players and other sports celebrities.
• Excellent DLC that adds new content - for free!

Cons

• The game's online play features a heavy reliance on microtransactions that resulted in ample criticism of it setting up a "pay to win" system.
• At launch, FIFA 18 was replete with bugs. Thankfully, post-release patches have largely addressed these issues.
• Defensive systems seem to pale in comparison to the offensive state of play of this game.
• The game goes for laser-accurate precision dribbling and passing over realism.

FIFA 18 is the latest game of the venerable soccer series. Like the annual games that come before it, it comes replete with a variety of innovations, graphical upgrades, new features, and more.

The game first came out in 2017 and is available today on all major platforms.

Features

As always, FIFA 18 upgrades a variety of features from previous games, showing off improved graphics, new player animations, and a variety of added modes that allow players of all levels to enjoy the game.

The gameplay, of course, is fun, fresh, and exhilarating. Ball control systems enable players to do remarkable things while on offense, though this can come at the expense of some of the game's previously-ballyhooed realism. Never is this more true than with dribbling, which enables you a slew of new ways to move the ball downfield. Dribbling with the greatest players in the world can be a blast, but again, it almost feels too good at points - like there is just no way of stopping these guys.

This concern with passing, which is simply so accurate at moments it feels like you are firing a gun with auto-aim. Future editions of FIFA would address these concerns and return a level of realism to the series that FIFA 18 lacks, but for now, this is what's available.

This may be the one criticism of this game, but otherwise, it is a true joy. Realism is enhanced by subtle player animations, exceptional fidelity to real-world locations, and animations that signature celebrations that players engage in upon scoring. These animations are exceptionally crisp and sharp, even years after the game's release.

Like previous FIFA games, FIFA 18 offers you no shortage of ways to play. There are exhibition matches, season players, abridged seasons, online play, and more. The game also added some new playing modes, like FIFA Ultimate Team, where you can play against Squads that other players have designed. The mode also allows you to draft players that have long since retired, giving you more opportunities to play. Indeed, the draft itself provides you with a slew of new fantasy options. Broad speaking, this new mode is unique, fresh, and a constant fun challenge.

Story Mode

Like the previous year's feature, this version of FIFA comes with a story mode, which continues the story of Alex Hunter. If players had played as Hunter in the previous year's game, all stats, awards, and player progress are continued.

In FIFA 18, Hunter's career continues, as does his personal story, which features him meeting his father for the first time. The game also expands upon Hunter's backstory, introducing you to his half-sister.

Story modes in sports games would have been scoffed at as recently as a few years ago, but FIFA 18 pulls it off well and expertly integrates Hunter into the gameplay. Alex Hunter is a believable, likable character, and you become invested in his story and career success. Indeed, the play is so fun and Hunter's character is so engaging that you can often overlook some of the flaws in the story, like the fact that dialogue choices often feel utterly meaningless.

Downloadable Content

In honor of the 2018 World Cup, FIFA 2018 released free downloadable content that featured all 32 World Cup teams and stadiums used in the 2018 tournament. It also gave players the ability to create and play in their own World Cup tournament.

Pros

• The gameplay is exceptionally fun!
• Graphics and animations and sharp and customized for each player and location, dramatically enhancing the realism of the game.
• No shortage of modes to play, guaranteeing that soccer fans of all stripes can find a version of this game that they will enjoy.
• The story mode is a great addition that adds depth and personality to the game while successfully incorporating real players and other sports celebrities.
• Excellent DLC that adds new content - for free!

Cons

• The game's online play features a heavy reliance on microtransactions that resulted in ample criticism of it setting up a "pay to win" system.
• At launch, FIFA 18 was replete with bugs. Thankfully, post-release patches have largely addressed these issues.
• Defensive systems seem to pale in comparison to the offensive state of play of this game.
• The game goes for laser-accurate precision dribbling and passing over realism.