FIFA 18 on the Switch will not run on the same engine as its PS4, Xbox One and PC equivalents, and won’t include the upcoming game’s core single-player mode The Journey: Hunter Returns.
The first FIFA 18 trailer debuted today, with it boasting in-engine footage that flaunted what appears to be considerable improvements that have been made to the series’ visuals. Now running on EA’s Frostbite engine — the same graphics engine that powers the Battlefield series — last year’s installment was widely praised as the best-looking FIFA game yet, but it seems that the Switch will miss out on these improvements as a different version of the game will make its way to Nintendo’s new console.
Eurogamer previously noticed that EA had confirmed that two different FIFA games, FIFA 18 and “EA Sports FIFA on the Nintendo Switch”, would be shown at the company’s E3 2017 presentation, EA Play 2017. However, in a press release sent out today EA confirmed that FIFA 18 would make its way to the Switch, but the game’s trailer pointed to the version lacking in features.
Also: FIFA 18 Release Date, Trailer and Ronaldo Edition Revealed
A small line of text featured at the end of the trailer reads: “Frostbite game engine technology and the Journey: Hunter Returns mode are available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC platform versions only. Not all features available on all platforms.” Considering that FIFA 18 will also launch on the PS3 and Xbox 360, the Switch’s version of the game could be more in line with its release on last-generation consoles, which would be disappointing for owners of the new system.
The follow-up to last year’s The Journey single-player mode, titled The Journey: Hunter Returns, will also seemingly be absent on the Switch. This is likely due to the graphical requirements for the mode, which used cutscenes to tell the underdog story of the fictional player Alex Hunter on his journey to the international stage. While the Switch version of FIFA 18 could prove to be popular as a result of its handheld capabilities, it’s unfortunate that it seems set to suffer a significant downgrade on its way to the hybrid console.
You can find out more details about FIFA 18 right here.
