EA Sports has released its annual soccer game, EA FC 24, following its split with FIFA. While the divorce made headlines, the game itself remains largely unchanged from what “FIFA 24” would have been. EA Sports has stuck to its tried and tested formula, prioritizing its money-spinning Ultimate Team mode over gameplay and new features.
Better Accessibility for Casual Players
Ultimate Team remains the focal point of EA FC 24, with some notable changes that make the game more accessible to casual players. The new Evolutions feature allows players to significantly boost the base cards of their favorite players, making them more viable options for their teams. This caters to players who don’t have as much time to invest in the game but still want to compete.
However, the community tends to gravitate towards the same “evolved” cards, resulting in a lack of variety in online modes. Offline modes in Ultimate Team have seen improvements, such as reducing the grind of Squad Battles and making Squad Building Challenges easier to complete.
Neglected Offline Modes
Unfortunately, offline modes in EA FC 24 have been neglected compared to Ultimate Team. This lack of attention to detail is evident in several bugs that, while not game-breaking, detract from the overall experience. Career Mode has seen some positive changes, such as a new coaching approach and the introduction of agents in Player Career. However, these improvements are overshadowed by the issues present in the game.
Gameplay and Points Problems
The gameplay in EA FC 24 can be frustrating at times, with high-scoring matches and defenders often appearing lost. There are also issues with goalkeeping mistakes and irritating animations. These problems are compounded by the game’s premium currency, Points, and lootbox mechanics. While there are opportunities to earn Packs without spending real money, the majority of them are “Untradable,” limiting players’ ability to build their desired teams.
The lack of competition in the market has made EA Sports a monopoly, and despite the game’s flaws, players continue to flock to it due to the licenses it holds for major leagues and clubs.
Conclusion
EA FC 24 reinforces the long-standing belief that the introduction of Ultimate Team in FIFA 09 was both the best and worst thing to happen to the franchise. While the game offers some new features and improvements, it falls short in addressing the core issues and neglects offline modes. The pay-to-win elements and gameplay frustrations persist, but the lack of competition allows EA Sports to maintain its dominance in the soccer gaming market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Evolutions in Ultimate Team offer customization | Pay-to-win issues remain prevalent |
| Player Career is more customizable | Defenders struggle in every match |
| Improved accessibility for casual players | Offline modes feel neglected |
Source: DOTESPORTS
