FIFA 18 - Footy Headlines Review
Oct 8, 2017, by Pat
Over the past week, we were able to check out the new FIFA 18, released last Friday, in order to provide you with an extensive overview of all modes, new gameplay features and everything else important about FIFA 18. First, we tested the Demo and its features, while we got a digital copy of the game on release day thanks to EA.
Gameplay
First and foremost, a few things about the feel of FIFA 18. After FIFA 17, which was a bit more fast paced and easier to defend on, EA have overhauled the game especially on the offensive side of things. As you'll have noticed playing demo or full game, for example, scoring got easier, in particular on long shots - both due to 'improved' shooting ability and perhaps a lack of goalkeeping skill. Otherwise, FIFA 18 incorporates different play styles for different player types and even has own movement for top-notch players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Neymar.
When talking about modern-day soccer simulations, one thing always catches my attention - the passing assistance. By default, an assistance is implemented which automatically delivers the ball to your teammate, given you pull the trigger in the approximate right direction with any amount of power, which makes it a lot easier to spin the ball around and the generally increases the pace of the game Even when playing with teams with 3 stars or less, passes are delivered at pinpoint precision, given that assistance is activated. It does not feel realistic at all and noticeably reduces the skill gap in the game. There's also semi assistance (supports power of pass, but direction only changes slightly) and manual (no assistance for direction or power), but especially online using those is not exactly popular as it greatly reduces the chances of winning against those playing on the default setup. Unfortunately, this leads to a more unrealistic, less varied and stale experience, at least in my opinion.
When taking a look at the CPU, EA incorporated more variety of its attacking play but also ditched out his affinity to turn around in a circle when you try to win the ball. The CPU still shields the ball excellently on higher difficulty levels but does not rely on it as much as before. Due to the fact that attacking play got easier, I've personally only lost one game against the highest difficulty level in approximately 30 games as you are able to checkmate the CPU with fast counter-attacks and deadly through passes.
Another key change in gameplay is the improvement of balls into the box of all kind. Computer-controlled players now move more intelligently and are more likely to win an aerial duel against defenders. This is both because the quality of deliveries into the box is improved and because attackers now perform better in these duels.
All in all, EA have tried to make the game appear more realistic which resulted in a smoother flow of play and in being able to execute different attacking styles - be it with through balls over the defense or by trying to combine your way into the attacking zone. In conclusion, FIFA 18 is more balanced but still has its weaknesses, something that will hopefully be ruled out through gameplay patches over the next few months - a first update was already released after just six days with the full game.
Licenses
For FIFA 18 the only important license addition is the 3. Liga from Germany with all 20 teams fully licensed and equipped. On the other hand, FIFA also lost one league license (Brazilian league with generic player names) and continues to miss out on an awful lot of national teams (Croatia, Serbia, Japan, Ghana...) as well as East European club teams competing in Champions or Europa League (e.g. Qarabağ, Maribor, APOEL, Partizan Belgrade, Ludogorets).
Considering the fact that FIFA has full leagues from countries like Belgium, Columbia or South Korea, it is a big bummer that not many national teams are included nor if included licensed (South America) and big traditional clubs from Eastern Europe, such as Partizan or Red Star Belgrade are not included as well. These teams, known for their fiery atmosphere, something EA promotes heavily this year, could have made excellent additions to the game.
Career Mode
This year, EA put a lot of effort into the career mode which was untouched the past couple of years. For FIFA 18, they have included an all-new transfer system that is available the throughout the entire year with transfers happening in the respective windows. Players can now have a release clause, request bonuses for achievements (goals, appearances...) and you as manager have the full ability to negotiate terms with respective clubs and players.
By changing this detail of career mode it got more realistic when talking about a transfer. Unfortunately, this is more a visual update than anything else. It's still way too easy to stack up on high potential youngsters as teams are happy to offload them in total disregard to their potential.
The Journey
Personally, I feel like The Journey is the most refreshing and exciting mode of FIFA for years to come. In The Journey, you become Alex Hunter, a virtual talent predestined to live through misery and success. With the addition of cinematic cut scenes and being able to answer on your own, you decide what kind of player you become and can even influence decisive moments which impact The Journey's outcome. Very staggering and written with a good, reasonable plot.
Online
Online, you still have the choice between Ultimate Team, Seasons - with or without a friend of yours - Friendlies and Pro Clubs. In Ultimate Team, you create your own football team at best consisting of players that harmonize, Seasons is just an Online Mode to play with normal club and national teams in a league system, while you have your own alter ego to only play with in Pro Clubs.
Ultimate Team, the by far most successful and profitable mode for Electronic Arts, has improved a lot. You can now play Squad Battles, where you challenge squads of other players from across the globe against a CPU level of your choice. Dependent on your rank in the system, you get better equipment the higher you are on a weekly basis.
The general feel of FIFA 18 online is fluid and smooth, while the game is also more fast paced online and especially in Ultimate Team. Personally, I have not had a single connection loss but feel free to share your own experience in the comments down below.
Verdict
With FIFA 18, EA has once again outperformed themselves and provided us with a solid, more realistic and graphically better experience. Arch Rival PES still has a lot of work to do. 4.5/5
Do you agree with our verdict? Have anything to add? Comment below, and check out our PES 2018 review as well.
This review was conducted on the PS4 version of the game.
All-New Inter Milan 26-27 Champions League Kit Font Released
Inter Milan will have a dedicated name and number font for their new 2026-27 third kit in the UEFA Champions League, something rarely seen from the Nerazzurri in recent years as they have typically used the standard Serie A typography in Europe.
For Serie A, Inter use the standard league typography in Speed Yellow. In the Champions League, however, the Nerazzurri switch to a bespoke 1990s-inspired font with taller, sharper-edged lettering and numbers featuring a thin blue outline, matching the kit's grey.
Interestingly, Inter's 2026-27 home shirt uses the standard Serie A font and was worn in their first Champions League match against Real Madrid. The third kit, meanwhile, features a dedicated Champions League typeface.
Fans can choose between the Serie A and Champions League fonts when customizing the Inter Milan 2026-27 third kit on the club's official web store. This dual-font approach gives the European version a distinct retro feel.
Benfica Renew Adidas Kit Deal Until 2033 in Record €120M Agreement
Benfica and Adidas have officially announced a six-year extension to their kit supplier partnership, committing the German brand to the Lisbon giants through 2033. Beginning in 2027 when the previous agreement concludes, the new deal is reportedly worth €120 million over six years, translating to around €20 million per season. This doubles the club's previous annual earnings from Adidas and represents the most lucrative kit sponsorship deal in Portuguese football history.
A central pillar of the expanded contract is Adidas acquiring the naming rights to Benfica's acclaimed youth training and development centre in Seixal, which has been officially renamed the adidas Benfica Campus. The rebranding coincides with the 20th anniversary of the complex, which first opened in 2006. Benfica and the Three Stripes already paid tribute to the academy's legacy through the design of their 26-27 home and third kits.
The partnership between Benfica and Adidas remains one of the longest continuous kit supply relationships in world football. After an initial stint between 83-84 and 89-90, the German brand has outfitted the club continuously since the 97-98 campaign. By the end of this new extension in 2033, the two sides will have completed 36 consecutive seasons together.
Retro 1980s Aesthetic: Newcastle United 26-27 Originals Retro Collection Released
Adidas and Newcastle United have officially released their latest retro lifestyle capsule, dubbed the adidas Originals Culturewear collection. Taking heavy inspiration from the club's classic 1980s training wear, the collection was first showcased on first-team players arriving ahead of Premier League action before rolling out for Mags+ members and hitting general sale.
The range adopts a clean color palette of dark navy, white, and subtle light blue accents. A defining highlight across every piece is the use of Newcastle United's iconic circular 1980s crest—originally seen between 1983 and 1988—paired alongside the classic embroidered adidas Trefoil emblem. The capsule features a standout long-sleeve white jersey boasting a tonal jacquard pattern, a color-blocked zip-up track top, a matching navy hoodie, a chest-band graphic t-shirt, and straight-leg track pants. The lineup is completed by a matching pair of adidas Handball Spezial sneakers crafted in light blue suede with a gum sole.
Arnaut Danjuma Still Wearing Adidas F50 Adizero IV 'Battle' Remake Boots
Dutch attacker Arnaut Danjuma is proving that great boots never go out of style, as he continues to lace up in the reissued Adidas F50 Adizero IV from the 2014 World Cup Battle Pack. While most professional players frequently rotate into the newest generation speed models, Danjuma has maintained an impressive loyalty to the limited-edition retro release years after its drop.
The boot in question is the 2022 Speed Legacy Pack remake of the legendary F50 Adizero IV, which originally dominated the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on the feet of top scorers like James Rodríguez, Robin van Persie, and Thomas Müller. The reissue faithfully revived the distinctive black-and-white geometric upper pattern with metallic gold three stripes, while modernizing the underfoot tech with the lightweight Carbitex Speedframe tooling borrowed from the X Speedflow.
Rosario Central 26-27 Third Kit Released
Rosario Central and Le Coq Sportif have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign. Named "La Calesita," the jersey completes a special collection celebrating the centenary of the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, paying tribute to the ground's architecture and the vibrant atmosphere created by the club's supporters.
The Le Coq Sportif Rosario Central 26-27 third shirt moves away from traditional blue and yellow stripes in favor of a deep dark petrol base, accented by bright yellow paneling along the shoulders and sleeves. Running vertically down the front is a perspective graphic inspired by stadium seating, creating an expanding vanishing point that evokes the scale of the Gigante de Arroyito and the sweeping movement of the famous "calesita" banners hung by the fans.
Crafted from Jacquard polyester fabric, the jersey is finished with a two-tone V-neck collar, high-definition embroidered club crests, and a specialized authenticity seal that reveals UV-reactive Le Coq Sportif details. Dark petrol shorts and vibrant yellow socks complete the new Rosario Central 26-27 third kit.
Reggina 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian club AS Reggina 1914 and technical partner Givova have officially unveiled the club's new home, away, and goalkeeper kits for the 26-27 season. Drawing profound inspiration from the historical landmarks and archaeological heritage of Reggio Calabria, each shirt tells a distinct story rooted in local identity.
The Reggina 26-27 home kit arrives in the club's traditional amaranto shade, decorated with an intricate geometric graphic on the front panel inspired by the ancient Roman Baths of Reggio Calabria. Givova's white logos sit on the chest and sleeves, matching the kit's clean numbering and completing an all-amaranto look with coordinating shorts and socks.
For the away strip, Givova delivers a predominantly white design accented by an amaranto collar, side panels, and sleeve trim. The front of the shirt features subtle vertical band patterns drawn from the ornate mosaics at the Roman Villa of Casignana, accompanied by a retro 1990s-style club badge. Completing the set, the goalkeeper kit stands out in vibrant green, adorned with claret details and a striking circular motif portraying Calabria's traditional apotropaic masks.
Adidas Flamengo 26-27 EQT Collection Released
Adidas and Flamengo have officially launched the club's new Equipment (EQT) retro collection, making the Rubro-Negro the first Brazilian club to receive the iconic line. Inspired by the brand's seminal 1991 and 1992 aesthetics, the 1990s-themed capsule ditches the modern CRF monogram in favor of Flamengo's historic rowing crest with crossed oars and an anchor, placed alongside the classic Adidas Trefoil text logo. The lifestyle collection features five pieces including a color-blocked windbreaker jacket, crewneck sweatshirt, track pants, and graphic t-shirts in the club's signature red, black, and white color scheme.