I wasn’t expecting much when EA and FIFA parted ways. I always figured that EA is set on its ways and we’ll just see the same old football game with a couple of changes here and there like they always do. I was partially right in my assumption of EA Sports FC 24, and I was plenty surprised with all the changes for this year’s entry in the long-running series.
EA Sports FC 24 is the latest football game developed by Electronic Arts. The game supersedes the EA Sports FIFA titles. Everything one can expect from a FIFA game is present in FC 24: Career Mode, Volta Football, Manager Mode, and of course, Ultimate Team.
Before we go any further, I just want to say one thing about FC 24 – Just because it’s under a new brand name, EA’s premium sports game does not possess drastic changes compared to years past. Instead, the game opts to incorporate small incremental changes across its game modes. However, I have noticed that the number of changes is much higher compared to what I typically notice from an annual sports title.
One of the more significant changes this year is the addition of Playstyles. These seem to be an evolution of Attributes. Basically, the game tracks and records the movements of players through the new and improved HyperMotion V. Using that data, the game can recreate real-life player habits on a scale and pace not possible through old motion capture technology. Not only that, but these Playstyles have the potential to give you an edge out there on the pitch. At the very least, it is refreshing to see so much variety when it comes to players running around and performing their signature moves.
Career mode has seen some changes that give you more control over your Avatar. You have more management options to further define how you want the course of your long career to go. To help achieve this, you are given a player agent. The agent handles the finer details like arranging a list of potential trade destinations with the promise of a larger salary. Gameplay-wise they give you short and long-term goals to work towards.
I decided to go as a midfielder for Inter Miami FC, alongside Lionel Messi. Within half a season, I was able to go to more famous clubs and get paid more for my services. But I’m in Inter Miami and I like where I am. That could change once we have won a championship or two. But I like where I am right now playing for the club whose status has undoubtedly been elevated by Lionel Messi.
Other than that, I like that there is variety in the amount of introductions before every match. It gets so tiring having to watch the same intro over and over again. (Something quite evident in a certain basketball simulation game. But I digress.) Cutscenes are not that common to see unless you’re undergoing a huge change in your career such as making the starting lineup or announcing something big. I somehow wish there was a kind of story mode but I guess EA is adamant in wanting to play it safe, at least for this first entry.
Ultimate Team is the flagship mode for any EA football game whatever name the title goes by. Here, players go against each other using cards that represent players. If we’re talking NBA 2K, the mode is comparable to MyTeam – just with booster pack previews and less emphasis on making you spend money. But make no mistake, to make the best teams in FC 24, you will have no choice but to grind your butt off or spend a little extra cash.
Evolutions is a new progression system where certain cards are given objectives to complete. By completing these objectives through matches, they can evolve into stronger cards. It’s not something that you absolutely need to do considering that the rarest cards are often the strongest ones. But it’s a nice change of pace to a mostly static game mode. Ultimate Team rewards mastery and Evolution gives you a chance to work on aspects of the game you haven’t mastered yet.
When it comes to the question of any changes to how the cards are monetized in the game mode, I can’t really say. It looks the same to me as it did in prior installments.
One mode that caught me by surprise was Volta Football. The mode is street football with an added arcade element to it. I ended up having more fun than I expected while playing the game mode. Everything moves fast in this mode. Games can be over in a matter of minutes due to enhanced abilities. It doesn’t go so far as going all-in on the craziness.
When it comes to the visuals, there is a noticeable upgrade to how detailed the models are. But let’s face it, they’re not going to be all that different from what they were last year. I do, however, appreciate more subtle changes like the clothes folding and dirt staining clothes after taking a tumble. The audio is just about where you can expect it to be. The new lineup of commentators does a good job of describing the action that happens on screen. I don’t see many issues when it comes to that.
I did not come across any game-breaking bugs when it comes to visuals and performance. Everything ran smoothly on PS5. There were a few instances of unnatural movement, especially when it came to tackling players over the ball. But I’d say it’s a credit to Hypermotion V for making every action look as smooth as it possibly can.
If I have anything truly negative to say about the game, it is that it can be too easy at times. I’ve tried playing anywhere between Amateur and Professional. And I’ve noticed that the AI allows you to do practically anything on the lower difficulties. It’s not uncommon to see double-digit leads in semi-pro matches. And I always found it strange. It’s like the AI is not set correctly.
If my biggest problem with EA Sports FC 24 is that hasn’t done enough to separate itself from its FIFA origins, then it’s starting things off on the right foot. This goes beyond a simple rebrand. EA’s flagship football series has never looked and played as well as it does now. Unfortunately, history tells me that this is but the starting point in a long and steady decline. The good news is that it started on such a high note. So, we might as well enjoy it while it’s good. It might not last long. I recommend EA Sports FC 24 for newer players wanting a good starting point into the series.
