REVIEW: FIFA 18 - Nintendo Switch
2012 was the year in which a FIFA game last appeared on a Nintendo home console with the release of FIFA 13 on Wii U. At that time, EA Sports received much criticism from angry fans who believed that the game was not actually FIFA 13, but actually FIFA 12 with a number of minor upgrades and improvements. Since then, the series has not been found on Wii U. However, the situation is different on Nintendo Switch, and EA Sports has chosen to show its support in the console's first year of life. Even better is that the unlike FIFA 13 on Wii U, this FIFA 18 version is far from a disappointment.
FIFA 18 on the Nintendo Switch is a pretty good football game, but you should be aware that it's not quite the same experience as on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. These versions are running a brand new version of DICE's Frostbite Graphics Engine, whereas the Switch Edition runs on an optimized version of the previous graphics engine, thereby losing a number of features. The most obvious shortcoming is The Journey, the game's campaign, where you follow Alex Hunter's journey. This is not at all found on Switch.
And thus, all remaining features also require the Frostbite graphics engine. The new cinematic celebrations of goals and the negotiating sequences in Career Mode are among the most obvious shortcomings, but even in relation to the overall presentation, the Switch version's siblings are inferior. The atmosphere of the stadium is not at all as intense, and in comparison to the graphics, there are lighting, focus and resolution, and a number of details are excluded, including true faces of the Premier League coaches.
So what about modes? FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch includes two of FIFA's most popular components; Career and Ultimate Team. Career Mode looks like the FIFA 17 version and includes talent scouts, tournaments in the pre-season, the opportunity to train both a club team and a national team at the same time as well as a training system that lets players improve continuously. All of FIFA 18's new Career Mode initiatives are missing, such as negotiation sequences and publishing clauses, but the basic experience remains intact, and you can also enjoy Switch on a robust experience.
Compared to the FIFA Ultimate Team, the version is actually released in FIFA 17 with the FIFA 18 user interface. This is all with the exception of Squad Battles. Everything else, such as the market, the auction, online / offline seasons, FUT Draft and even the building challenges are present here. Most importantly, however, I tried a series of matches online, and here everything went easy as a team and there were no problems with delays on the server. You also have access to other modes, such as Skill Games, tournaments for both men and women, online modes and the opportunity to play friendlies.
One of the new initiatives that can be found in the Switch version is the ability to control the game with one Joy-Con. This allows you to play against others by splitting the controller, even if you surrender a variety of capabilities because you have fewer buttons. Ideally, the two players should each have their Joy-Con or Pro controller, but if that's not possible, this is a great option.
But, there is an important point here. FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch does not allow you to play against your friends online. There is simply no possibility. All matches online seem to be settled through matchmaking, and that's a shame.
FIFA 18 on the Nintendo Switch does not have the same insane value you get in the main versions, but there's more than enough to entertain you for hours, both off and online.
Looking at gameplay, you'll find a mixed experience. Lots of features that you'll find in the main versions are also featured here, such as the new posts, one player playstart and the new Skill Moves. It offers refined gameplay that is always dynamic and complete playable with Joy-Cons. Some small details have not come over, such as the fast replacements, but most of the FIFA 18's gameplay is found in the Switch version.
The biggest difference is in the artificial intelligence. This AI is obviously taken from a former FIFA, possibly FIFA 15 or 16. It's simply brutal at the higher levels of difficulty, far more than it should be in our optics. In other words, the artificial intelligence in FIFA 18 on Switch can be a bit hard and frustrating compared to the main versions, and sometimes it seems that the player in the opposite team can look in the future.
As expected, the Switch Edition of FIFA 18 is in a range of levels below the game found on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. However, it is still a bold experience, and quite a satisfying football game. There are the most popular modes, quality graphics, it works well online and the mechanics are in the closet. I believe that FIFA 19 can be magnificent on Switch, but for now, this version is a quite satisfactory first try for EA and Nintendo.
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