FIFA 18 begins by placing you in the centre of the action, providing a television-quality match experience better than any video game ever has before. The presentation has been improved once again this year to make the matches feel even more realistic than in previous versions. Broadcast packages and lineup graphics help add to the realism and depth, moving the video game closer to real life. FIFA 18 feels like real football.
It feels like real football not just because of the graphical improvements, but the gameplay is more like a real match. Defending is no longer automatic. Players need to time their tackles to win back the ball before holding up the ball and shielding opponents before finding a team-mate with a properly weighted pass. It is here that FIFA 18 has progressed. The midfield battles are tougher and require more patience. You can no longer just sprint around and get past your opponents.
Winning matches requires you to play well.
The Journey made its debut in FIFA 17, and Alex Hunter is back again with a bigger, better and more enjoyable story, featuring a whole host of famous names including this year's cover star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Alex Hunter is back!
Ultimate Team now has offline Squad Battles for players who cannot commit to playing Weekend League.
Icons like Ronaldo and Diego Maradona are now on both Playstation and Xbox.
Pro Clubs is a very satisfying way to play particularly when involved with friends, but it can also be utilized well to get accustomed to the game for those intimidated by the prospect of going 1v1 against potentially experienced players online.
The gameplay itself is fluid and feels very enjoyable.
Career Mode continues to be as engaging as ever and utilises the Frostbite engine better this year with extra scenes for transfer negotiations that add entertainment and realism when trying to sign a new star striker for your chosen side.
For some people this is the best mode of Fifa.
But where FIFA 18 impresses most is not the improved gameplay, additional features or lifelike presentation. It is in the small things. The minor improvements which just make the game flow better. Automatic substitutions are an excellent addition to online and versus play, keeping the game flowing rather than having one player pause the game to make a simple change and more new features waiting you!
In terms of depth and value, "FIFA" is rivaled only by the "NBA 2K" series.
4.0