FIFA 18 (Console Versions)

Really enjoying this. More so than any football game since the PS2 PES games. It's definitely the best FIFA game to date in my opinion. The crossing, shooting and dribbling are terrific. Tons of little random rebounds. Deep control system. Just a really solid package this year. Hopefully EA brings back the sound of the ball being kicked and adjusts the color on some of the pitches though as they seem a bit too garish to me.
 
Posted yesterday that I was really struggling to get the right settings, so spent hours last night testing everything I could. Replaying the same couple of matches over and over again.

Control-wise - in 17 I had to use assisted passing, but in 18 I'm in love with semi-passing (and shooting) now after an awkward few days trying to adjust. Do you know what I love? The new trainer settings! (Has anyone else mentioned them yet?)

It's great having the arrow underneath your player, but I absolutely love playing on manual/semi and having the dotted-line pass guide that expands as you hold down the pass button. Now I can actually improve instead of giving up.

Makes a world of difference not hitting silly first-time wonder passes, but playing on World Class I still see the AI hitting them occasionally (even with sliders).

Difficulty (on 8 minute halves), I'm constantly back and forth. But, I made some discoveries last night, playing the same career mode games (as Bolton, against Leeds and then Cardiff) about 5 times each.

Speed set to SLOW. Pass error slider is set to 55, with the AI's set to 54. Pass speed is 44, with the AI's set to 34. (I want to reduce acceleration too but it introduces some weird "ew don't make me touch the ball" animations, so I'm still messing with it.)

On Professional, both sides tended to finish with around 83% pass accuracy (same as pretty much every FIFA 17 game I ever played on Legendary) and about 18 shots each. Fun but barely any midfield pressure. So I don't think it's for me.

On World Class, I finished my last match with both sides having 70% pass accuracy (so, so happy, the lowest I've ever seen), and about 8 shots each. Much, much better. BUT, there was a lot of silly perfect first-time passes from the AI (which sliders don't seem to be able to kill off completely) and so much pressure.

On Legendary, pass accuracy was up and down between 78% and 85%, with the same amount of shots each and less pressure, and it feels nicer to me - BUT... It's definitely easier to pass around than World Class (though the AI seems more likely to score).

Anyway, the variation in the matches - let alone between different teams - just sucked me in. For the first time, I really enjoyed the game. Some absolutely brilliant goals, with my favourite being a dink over the keeper who was lying on the floor after a great low save from a previous shot. It looked so natural and it was on the break, with the AI positioning all over the place.

Players become unreliable as they tire - your players and the AI's too - and that adds a whole new level to management for me. The AI starts hitting long balls in cup games with 20 minutes to go. There are whole new levels of depth.

If there were sliders to reduce the AI's perfect first-time passing on occasion (pass error/pass speed/first touch error doesn't really help), and the AI was a little more inclined to pass the ball around (which, annoyingly, seemed pretty perfect in FIFA 17 IMO), I'd have very little to grumble about.
 
PC update released today including gameplay tweaks. It isn't available for console yet, but it'll be in certification for release within the next couple of weeks.

FIFA Title Update 1 (October 3rd) - FOR PC

Here's the list...

Added the following in FIFA Ultimate team:
  • New functionality to Champions Channel including missed shots and hidden timeline.

Addressed the following in FIFA Ultimate team:
  • An issue with the extra time display on the Champions Channel timeline.
  • An issue with locked EASFC catalogue kits on opponent teams in Squad Battles.
  • An issue where the crowd would have incorrect flags when the home team is wearing a certain kit.
  • An issue where a player could crash when watching a FUT Champions Channel match.
  • An issue where players could control the goalkeeper in FUT Single Player modes.
  • Changed Matches Remaining to Attempts Remaining in FUT Champions Daily Knockout Tournament.
  • Changed the Possible Points text in Squad Battles to Projected Match Points.
  • Updated loan player portraits in the EASFC Catalogue.
  • Visual improvements to some FUT item types.

Addressed the following in Gameplay:
  • Tuned goalkeeper reactions in certain situations.
  • Tuned down the difficulty for Amateur and Semi-Pro difficulties.
  • Reduced shot accuracy and slightly increased goalkeeper reaction times in certain in-game situations.

Added the following in The Journey Hunter Returns:
  • Icons in cinematic scenes to indicate the user-triggered action.
  • Triggered actions are: Personality, FIFA 17 Result, Match Result, Key Decision, Player Performance, Team Performance, Partnership Rating

Addressed the following in The Journey Hunter Returns:
  • An issue where the player could crash during a cinematic in Chapter 5.

Added the following in Career Mode:
  • Added option to delegate contract renewals.
  • Allow users to renegotiate contract with a player whose release clause has been paid.

Addressed the following in Career Mode:
  • An issue where users could use a loaned player as part of a transfer deal.
  • An issue where Breaking News weren't getting refreshed.

Addressed the following in Online Modes:
  • An issue in Pro Clubs where a player could return to an invisible lobby after a match.
  • Enabled the opponent indicators in online matches.
  • Improvements were made to the kit clashing logic.

Audio / Visual / Presentation Changes:
  • Adding this season’s authentic Bundesliga broadcast package.
  • Addressed multiple minor audio issues.
  • Improvements to the goal net animations.

Thoughts? No changes to defending, which seems to be the big community bugbear, but goalkeepers have been made better and shooting is less accurate...

EDIT: Super secret extra fix is included so that the radar colours are back!
 
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bsmaff said:
Download is 1.07GB on PC.

I won't know what it plays like though till later tonight.
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Just had a look through the reviews on Reddit. Looks like less distance goals but equally high scorelines (the first video of post-patch gameplay I found was 3-3, but that was a FUT game).
 
Yes for some reason Professional gives a really high passing accuracy stats. I always play on Pro, but with this FIFA switched to World Class and it all became much better, though not as difficult like in previous years. Like this very much so far, but also should try Legendary.
 
Only complaint I do have really is going away to Chelsea, Arsenal etc is a bit easy and they don't pen you in your half

The only people who don't like it is those whose don't play it seemingly
 
goalgerd said:
try my camera settings too, as a hardcore pes player you’ll find it easier
Click to expand...

I just tried your settings along with fully assisted and on prof and it played quite well. Thanks

I'm quite surprised how many passes and shots I had that went astray. It makes me realise how much practise I need. I was playing as Middlesbrough in a pre season cup and lost 1-2.

A couple of things though that I find annoying but can live with... I really don't like the corner system. I would prefer if I could change the camera angle the same that we can for free kicks. Do the tactics at corners actually work? I select "crowd the GK" and everyone stands about the penalty spot chatting.

Also sometimes when I pass the ball, the receiving player just stands there waiting for it to come to him. Is there anyway for me to take full control and allow me to move him towards the ball?

And finally, the cutscenes. I'm not a lover of bells and thrills and a few times I've had a good shot but instead of showing the replay the camera will show a cutscene.

Other than that I'm quite impressed so far :)
 
Chris Davies said:
Control-wise - in 17 I had to use assisted passing, but in 18 I'm in love with semi-passing (and shooting) now after an awkward few days trying to adjust. Do you know what I love? The new trainer settings! (Has anyone else mentioned them yet?)
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manmachine said:
(I'm NOT a regular semi/manual player, but the trainer arrow helps me a lot).
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Hehe. Oh yes!
It's the wealth of options that make this a decent offline experience.

Chris Davies said:
(I want to reduce acceleration too but it introduces some weird "ew don't make me touch the ball" animations, so I'm still messing with it.)
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I think acceleration is tied to stamina so careful with that. Lower than 50 -> Players will tire later in the match or not at all, Higher than 50 -> Players will tire even sooner than by default.

Chris Davies said:
If there were sliders to reduce the AI's perfect first-time passing on occasion (pass error/pass speed/first touch error doesn't really help), and the AI was a little more inclined to pass the ball around (which, annoyingly, seemed pretty perfect in FIFA 17 IMO), I'd have very little to grumble about.
Click to expand...

100% agree. I once saw burnley go from halfway line to a one on one opportunity with 2 passes. BOTH OF THEM HEADERS. At least they missed. And thankfully it's rare. I would also add that i'd like my D-line to be a bit more alert and react to situations faster. The cpu doesn't seem to have a problem with instant reactions / blocking shots on higher difficulties, I'd like some of that please!

The AI can be herded to an extent into passing the ball sideways or even backwards if you can concentrate on covering obvious pass targets which is nice. So in a sense you have some control over the pace. But I agree, I would prefer it if they did more of this on their own. Also playing with a longer half length helps with your perception of the pace of the game. I enjoy going sideways myself trying to find a hole in the CPU defence and calmly retreating to prevent a quick transition when I fail. But time is a factor in playing that way and I realise it's not for everyone. It's a trade-off, I find my games more engrossing at the cost of having to play fewer of them every day.
 
When i played FIFA 18 at first i was impressed by the new animations and the sense o inertia.
But something was holding me back from liking it. There was something wrong with the animations and the game still got this "fifa-ish" feeling. Today i discovered something.
The animations system of FIFA 18, and every FIFA from FIFA 13 (seperate and free ball physics) works like this:
-Legs of player model are snapping to the ball, at a predetermined time, no matter the body posture or where the ball is.
-Many times this "leg movement" is lightning fast and awkward in order to make the recorded input happen on the pitch.
For example, when player controls the ball, when player passes, when player turns.
This year this thing is much more obvious from any other year due to the "overall smoothness" that highlight this clunkiness.
I will provide a montage of incidents, from JUST ONE match. Have a sneak peek.


This is FIFA mechanics for years, and will be for many years. Till then FIFA will feel as FIFA, and therefore, clunky, unnatural, plastic and nowhere near the real sport.
Its a fancy, noisy game, well polished, but with really wrong approach of the real sport.
 
Hello guys. Just want to share some findings I explored. First to say I played with matt sliders which I found amazing but finded something strange with this set of sliders, when sprint speed is on 51 players act more slugish and when I set to 49 suddenly game becomes more fast and more responsive don't know why but I kept it on 51 for now.
Team styles... They are definately there!!! Played Sporting vs Rosemborg, what a refreshment from fast attacking football! Rosemborg played long balls to Bendtner all the time and in the end of the game they had 70℅ pass accuracy. Next game was Sporting vs Arsenal, they hammered me with possesion football, Lacazzete was outstanding, really makena difference with his fake shot dribles, my players are goung to buy cigarretes all the time when he had the ball :D After this I just pick Barca vs Arsenal... A lot different game, I can have possesion as much as I want and game normally was easier but becouse of these two teams also faster. What I want to say is that there is a lot of variety, you have to work hard to break down the opponent, there are no cheap goals and easy games. Only thing that bothers me is colour of the players on the radar, is there something to do to change the colours acorsing to the team you play??? happy days :)
 
flokiman said:
When i played FIFA 18 at first i was impressed by the new animations and the sense o inertia.
But something was holding me back from liking it. There was something wrong with the animations and the game still got this "fifa-ish" feeling. Today i discovered something.
The animations system of FIFA 18, and every FIFA from FIFA 13 (seperate and free ball physics) works like this:
-Legs of player model are snapping to the ball, at a predetermined time, no matter the body posture or where the ball is.
-Many times this "leg movement" is lightning fast and awkward in order to make the recorded input happen on the pitch.
For example, when player controls the ball, when player passes, when player turns.
This year this thing is much more obvious from any other year due to the "overall smoothness" that highlight this clunkiness.
I will provide a montage of incidents, from JUST ONE match. Have a sneak peek.


This is FIFA mechanics for years, and will be for many years. Till then FIFA will feel as FIFA, and therefore, clunky, unnatural, plastic and nowhere near the real sport.
Its a fancy, noisy game, well polished, but with really wrong approach of the real sport.
Click to expand...

I agree that some of the animations have a tendency to sort of speed up at certain times, and that this looks a bit silly. But to say that this has any bearing what so ever on the actual gameplay I just don't agree with. Each to their own though. :)
 
I don't know how I landed on this page (the internet can be a dangerous place) where someone was asking about whether rain/snow was removed from FUT, but this reply was golden:
unsung fut hero said:
Hell no. If you want realistic gameplay go play offline or normal seasons where u play with "normal teams". FUT has nothing to do with realistic since you make your own team to be competetive with.
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THIS IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN!
 
geeeeee said:
I just tried your settings along with fully assisted and on prof and it played quite well. Thanks

I'm quite surprised how many passes and shots I had that went astray. It makes me realise how much practise I need. I was playing as Middlesbrough in a pre season cup and lost 1-2.

A couple of things though that I find annoying but can live with... I really don't like the corner system. I would prefer if I could change the camera angle the same that we can for free kicks. Do the tactics at corners actually work? I select "crowd the GK" and everyone stands about the penalty spot chatting.

Also sometimes when I pass the ball, the receiving player just stands there waiting for it to come to him. Is there anyway for me to take full control and allow me to move him towards the ball?

And finally, the cutscenes. I'm not a lover of bells and thrills and a few times I've had a good shot but instead of showing the replay the camera will show a cutscene.

Other than that I'm quite impressed so far :)
Click to expand...

Considering the fact that statistically, one in a hundred corners lead to a goal, I'd say FIFA is way more realistic in this aspect than Pes, where you tend to score every second corner or so. I think I've scored from maybe one or two corners so far, from probably having taken around 60 of them - sounds about right to me, if you compare with how it is in real football. In pes 2018, i scored every other corner more or less on top player difficulty. Not very realistic.
 
geeeeee said:
Also sometimes when I pass the ball, the receiving player just stands there waiting for it to come to him. Is there anyway for me to take full control and allow me to move him towards the ball?
Click to expand...
Yes, great point. I keep seeing this too.

There's an option in controller settings called something like "auto switching move assistance", where you can specify whether you want the AI to continue in the direction they were running your player, or stop him dead as soon as you select him.

I often wonder if that will help, but then never fiddle with it...
 
Daisuk said:
Considering the fact that statistically, one in a hundred corners lead to a goal, I'd say FIFA is way more realistic in this aspect than Pes, where you tend to score every second corner or so. I think I've scored from maybe one or two corners so far, from probably having taken around 60 of them - sounds about right to me, if you compare with how it is in real football. In pes 2018, i scored every other corner more or less on top player difficulty. Not very realistic.
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I wasn't saying that they should lead to more goals. I just find it difficult in placing the corner where I want to. It's strange how there is the option to change to first person view when taking a free kick but not from a corner. I find that with corners I just cross to the middle and hope for the best whereas with free kicks I can aim the kick more precisely.

Chris Davies said:
Yes, great point. I keep seeing this too.

There's an option in controller settings called something like "auto switching move assistance", where you can specify whether you want the AI to continue in the direction they were running your player, or stop him dead as soon as you select him.

I often wonder if that will help, but then never fiddle with it...
Click to expand...

Yes I think bluewomble mentioned that a few posts / pages back. I will give it a go.
 
Chris Davies said:
Yes, great point. I keep seeing this too.

There's an option in controller settings called something like "auto switching move assistance", where you can specify whether you want the AI to continue in the direction they were running your player, or stop him dead as soon as you select him.

I often wonder if that will help, but then never fiddle with it...
Click to expand...

This issue seems to be exacerbated when using manual passing. If the pass isn't inch perfect, sometimes they'll just stand around, or do that half-turn where they show the ball their booty. It's even worse in 2-player. For the first time in years, I contemplated switching to semi-passing. I'll fool around with the switching (I always have it on low).
 
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