Here’s Why 'World Cup' Mode on "FIFA 18" Feels Slower Than the Regular Game

It’s not (entirely) your imagination.

Owners of FIFA 18 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch and mobile were recently treated with a free update offering them 'World Cup' mode ahead of the 2018 tournament in Russia.

It’s a far cry from the days of 1998, when EA Sports would make you pay for both FIFA ’98 and World Cup ’98.

This, truly, is an incredible time to be alive.

However, some have still felt the need to complain about the gameplay on FIFA 18’s 'World Cup' mode, suggesting it’s slower and more sluggish than usual.

FIFA 18 World Cup mode is an absolute shambles, game play is horrifically slow...going back to playing fortnite👌🏻

— brad🔴⚪️ (@stbrad69) May 30, 2018

On the one hand, those having a whinge aren’t entirely wrong. However, one of the game’s producers has suggested to EuroGamer that the sensation of sluggishness is at least partly psychological.

Here's why.

With the 'World Cup' update comes refreshed stats for participating players, based on their national team form. However, if you’ve been playing FIFA 18 for months and built on Ronaldo and Messi’s skills in your cherry-picked 'Ultimate Team' mode, you’re going to find the realer versions in 'World Cup' have been brought back down to Earth (though, Ronaldo and Messi should still be pretty wild out on the pitch).

Nonetheless, the more 'accurate' players in 'World Cup' mode will struggle somewhat when it comes to passing or dribbling, and might be slower overall. That’s why the gameplay feels sluggish, producer Andrei Lazarescu tells Eurogamer, even though the game engine remains the same.

However, here’s the psychological element: the 'World Cup' update comes with a new look, from the stadia to the players’ faces. That’s why Lazarescu believes users think the game is playing differently.

Satisfied? Maybe not. But there's your explanation. Read more about it here.

Now, get out there and have some slightly-slower-than-usual fun!

Photo: EA Sports