25.3 hours played
Written 23 days ago
EA SPORTS FC™ 24 marks a historic pivot for one of gaming’s most dominant franchises. Gone is the FIFA branding, but what remains—and evolves—is a feature-rich, finely tuned football experience that feels like a rebrand with purpose, not just a name change. While it's not a dramatic reinvention, FC 24 confidently kicks off a new era with fresh tech, deeper modes, and a few bold moves that point toward the future of virtual football.
On the pitch, FC 24 feels like EA’s most balanced and polished football sim to date. Thanks to the new HyperMotionV animation system and PlayStyles (powered by real-world Opta data), players move, react, and perform in ways that finally feel distinct. Erling Haaland bulldozes through defenders like a battering ram, while Luka Modrić glides across the midfield with grace and precision.
Pacing is smoother, and physical play has more weight—especially in midfield battles. AI positioning is smarter, passing feels snappier, and goalkeepers are more responsive, though still prone to the occasional brain-fade.
The overall feel is less arcade-y than FIFA 22 and more nuanced than FIFA 23. It rewards thoughtful build-up play and punishes sloppy defending, encouraging a more authentic rhythm of football.
Ultimate Team (UT) returns, predictably, as the centerpiece of FC 24—and while the formula is familiar, some key updates freshen the experience:
Women players join Ultimate Team for the first time, bringing a much-needed layer of variety and equality. The chemistry system handles it well, and combining male and female stars opens up wild but fun team possibilities.
Evolutions, a brand-new mechanic, lets you level up certain cards across the season by completing challenges—finally offering progression that doesn’t rely solely on pack luck or microtransactions.
PlayStyles give each card a unique flair beyond raw stats—helping some lesser-known players shine in niche roles.
But yes, the grind is still real. If you’re not buying packs, you’ll need to commit serious time to compete at the top, and the store is still pushy with flashy promotions. It’s addictive, well-built, but not free of its long-standing monetization issues.
Both Manager and Player Career modes receive solid improvements:
Manager Career introduces Tactical Visions (like Gegenpressing or Park the Bus), adding more depth to squad building and match simulation.
Player Career now includes Agents and clear career pathways, letting you shape your legacy with more purpose than before.
These are welcome additions, though still a few steps behind what you might expect from modern sports RPGs. The presentation is clean, but the mode still lacks narrative spice or off-pitch depth that could bring your career to life.
Clubs (formerly Pro Clubs) and Volta Football are now under one umbrella, allowing you to build and customize your avatar across both modes.
Crossplay is finally here for Clubs, a long-requested feature that breaks down the walls between platforms.
Progression feels more rewarding, with skill trees and cosmetic unlocks that make each player feel unique.
Volta is still a fun side mode—flashy, quick, and good for a change of pace—but hasn’t evolved significantly beyond cosmetics.
Licensing is still EA’s superpower. Despite losing the FIFA name, EA SPORTS FC 24 boasts an unmatched lineup of:
-700+ teams
-100+ stadiums
-30+ leagues
-19,000+ real players
Broadcast-style overlays, authentic chants, detailed kits, and dynamic camera angles help the matches feel like real televised events. Graphically, the game is a small step up from FIFA 23—better player faces, smoother transitions, and a bit more environmental detail. It's not groundbreaking, but it's polished and immersive.
Where It Scores
-Improved animations and distinct player styles with HyperMotionV & PlayStyles
-Introduction of women in Ultimate Team
-Evolutions and tactical upgrades in Ultimate Team and Career Mode
-Crossplay in Clubs
-Still the most complete football package on the market
Where It Misses
-Microtransactions still dominate Ultimate Team
-Career Mode lacks emotional storytelling
-Volta hasn't seen meaningful evolution
-Legacy bugs and occasional AI quirks remain
EA SPORTS FC™ 24 might not be the radical reboot some expected, but it’s a confident and compelling evolution of the world’s most popular football game. It blends fresh features, smart refinements, and massive content into a package that sets a strong foundation for the future of the series.
For long-time players, it’s a smoother, smarter FIFA with a new badge. For newcomers, it’s the most accessible and complete football sim out there.
The name may have changed, but the beautiful game is alive and well.
Rating: 7/10
