By Reece Keusch ’19

On June 14, Russia and Saudi Arabia kick off the biggest sporting event on earth at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. People all over the globe are excited for the World Cup, and with every World Cup comes a brand new World Cup FIFA game. But, this time, it’s a free download (as long as you already own FIFA 18).

The general gameplay seems smoother than normal FIFA 18, but it also feels more difficult to control players on the pitch. Be that as it may, it is also more noticeable when using better players compared to worse ones, as opposed to the normal game.

I was disappointed, however, with the lack of change to the music setlist for the home screen, as it was the same in FIFA 18. The old World Cup games had unique music, such as 2010’s African music, or 2014’s Brazilian themed list. That being said, the music choice is irrelevant if the game itself isn’t good. Fortunately, it’s great.

The update includes all the usual features of the past World Cup games. In kickoff mode, you can play an exhibition match versus a friend or by yourself. This can be a great way to practice regardless of your experience. However, if one meaningless match isn’t enough to fulfill your FIFA aspirations, then an online tournament is always an option. This can definitely be a challenge, as there is no tiered system; on your four game path to victory, you may run into one or two FIFA virtuosos.

Then, of course, is the hallmark of the FIFA World Cup games: World Cup mode. In this mode, you attempt to lead a nation of your choosing in the tournament. This mode consists of the group stage and the knockout stage. If you feel like the current teams on the road to Russia aren’t fitting, you can customize the groups. Many teams that didn’t qualify for the World Cup are still options, so you can still bring glory to the great US of A.

While all of these modes are unique and exciting, the crown jewel of the game is undoubtedly Ultimate Team. In this mode, you get to build your own team of players that are starring in this years World Cup. New players are earned after every game played, so you can continuously improve your squad. There is nothing more exhilarating than watching the dramatic FIFA reveal of what player is about to join your squad, and now you get that rush after every match. Ultimate Team is similarly exciting due to the fact that almost every team is one of a kind. It is even possible to recruit retired legends like Pele, Maradona or Henry, which will surely strike fear into your opponents.

While the new features may sound great, people who don’t currently own FIFA might not want to spend $60 on FIFA 18. I would suggest they reconsider. This update adds so many more options and ways to play the game, and is definitely worth it if you love the World Cup. The update also provides simplicity for beginners trying to learn the game, and simultaneous new challenges and features for those who are bored of the regular game. All in all, there are great additions to the game modes, the gameplay is more realistic and is a big improvement from the 2014 version, despite a couple of minor issues.

Rating: 4.5/5

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