Games worth discovering

A goal-getter’s paradise: why I love EA Sports FC 24

5K View2023-10-05

SHOULD I PLAY EA SPORTS FC 24?

If you’re a fan of soccer (or football, depending on your region), this is probably the release you’ve been waiting for. To be clear, I am in no way a hardcore fan of the sport outside of watching the occasional match and rooting for my favorite team, Arsenal F.C., but even I had a blast playing EA Sports FC 24! EA’s first non-FIFA-branded soccer game is packed full of small details and hyper-realistic visuals that make it feel more like watching a live broadcast than playing a game.

TIME PLAYED

I spent around four hours with EA Sports FC 24 on my PlayStation 5. During this time, I played a few exhibition matches, checked out the single-player career mode, and created my own character. Even for someone with only a basic understanding of soccer, I got pulled in pretty quickly.

WHAT’S AWESOME ABOUT EA SPORTS FC 24?

• The realism. From the start, EA Sports FC 24 got me into the game with its ultra-real style. The players looked great, and the replays felt like something I might see on ESPN. Dribbling the ball down the pitch while approaching the goal, feeling the controller shake and hearing the crowd roar, really got my adrenaline going. And if you have a great sound system, it really makes a difference.

• Becoming a soccer legend. I really enjoyed diving in and creating my own player for the career mode. With thirty-two abilities spread across six different categories, there were plenty of ways to make my player unique, including special animations for power shots or tackles. Granted, some of the intricacies of this mode may have been lost on me as a more casual fan. But creating a character, putting him on a team, and building him up is something that never gets old.

• The tunes. The EA Sports FC 24 soundtrack is officially on fire, with contributions from over one hundred artists from around the world. The great selection of songs had me bopping my head and really helped get me into the spirit of the game. Even if you’re not planning to play the game, I’d recommend giving the soundtrack a listen during your next workout or whenever you’re looking to get hyped up.

• My Ultimate Team. But let’s talk about one of the best parts of EA Sports FC 24: Ultimate Team mode. Not only could I build up my favorite squad with famous players, but I was also able to upgrade established players through the new evolution feature. Ultimate Team mode alone could easily eat up dozens or even hundreds of hours for dedicated players.

For EA Sports FC 24, Ultimate Team mode has integrated female players for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. Some critics have complained that the women are overpowered compared with their male counterparts, but the only problem I had was the occasional logistical challenge of having a shorter goalie. Having the option to fill my team with male and female players from clubs around the world was pretty awesome.

WHAT SUCKS IN EA SPORTS FC 24?

• Not for newbs. If you’re a more casual soccer fan like myself, you’ll notice EA Sports FC 24 was made for the superfans. Even from the opening menu, I had difficulty figuring out what mode to start with and how to play. The game does its best to adjust the computer AI to your playstyle automatically, but it could have benefited from an opening tutorial—especially for those just jumping into the series.

• Online or bust. This game is meant to be played online, as all the best features require online accessibility. Sure, there is a single-player mode and campaign, but it doesn’t compare with the online experience. Be aware that you’ll want to have internet access when playing, and if you’re planning to play it on console, know that you’ll need a PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold, or Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access a huge portion of the game’s features.

• They’re taking all of my money! Microtransactions have almost become synonymous with these big sports titles, and EA Sports FC 24 does not break with that tradition. Think it’s enough that you spent $70 bucks on a title? Sorry, how about you cough up some more dough for an Ultimate Team card pack? I’ve complained about the normalization of these money-grubbing tactics in my NBA 2K24 review, but as long as they keep putting this stuff in games, I’m going to keep yelling about it.

💬 Will you play EA Sports FC 24? And name your favorite soccer/football club! Let me know in the comments below!