EA Sports FC 24: A Brutally Honest Review of Ultimate Team
As the annual release of FIFA approaches, the excitement among gamers and football enthusiasts reaches a fever pitch. Every year, FIFA's Ultimate Team mode is a centerpiece of the excitement, offering players the chance to build their dream squad, use Fut 24 Coins to compete against others and engage in the never-ending thrill of pack openings. EA Sports FC 24, under the banner of EA, is no exception. However, as anticipation builds for the latest installment, it's crucial to take a critical look at what's new, what's missing, and what's shaping up in the Ultimate Team experience.
The Hype and Reality of Play Styles
One of the eagerly anticipated changes in EA Sports FC 24 was the introduction of Play Styles. These were heralded as a groundbreaking feature, promising to bring new layers of strategy to the game. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that Play Styles aren't as revolutionary as advertised. In reality, they resemble traits that have existed in previous FIFA iterations. For example, players like Marcus Rashford in FIFA 23 had traits such as Power Free Kick, Flair, Long Shot Taker, and Speed Dribbler, which could significantly impact gameplay. In EA Sports FC 24, Play Styles seem to be more of the same, lacking the game-changing innovation that fans were hoping for.
The New Pack System and Its Implications
EA Sports also introduced a revamped pack system, offering the potential for double walkouts and the ability to pack multiple instances of the same player. On the surface, this seems like a positive change, providing more variety and excitement in pack openings. However, it comes with a significant downside. In previous FIFA versions, when a player received a special card (such as a Team of the Week or Team of the Season card), their base gold card would be removed from packs, ensuring that special versions remained valuable and rare.
Now, EA Sports FC 24 seems to allow players to pack both the base gold card and the special card of a player concurrently. While this might seem appealing, it poses a problem during key moments in the game, such as Team of the Year or Team of the Season promotions. Imagine packing Mbappé's normal gold card during a special promotion period when his Team of the Year card is available. This situation undermines the rarity and value of the special card, potentially frustrating players who aspire to get the best versions of their favorite players.
What's Missing: Foot Moments and Draw Quits
One of the significant disappointments of EA Sports FC 24 is the lack of development in certain areas. Foot Moments, introduced in FIFA 23 as a way to enjoy shorter, more iconic moments from football matches, had great potential. However, it quickly stagnated, with limited content and challenges. Instead of recreating memorable moments, players found themselves repeatedly completing mundane tasks in a short timeframe. The reward structure also remained flawed, with a requirement of accumulating an excessive number of Foot Stars for a decent reward.
Another long-standing issue that continues to plague FIFA is the problem of drawing quits. Despite being in 2024, EA Sports has not yet found a solution to this issue. Draw quits occur when a player quits the game after kickoff, resulting in no consequences for the quitter but wasting the time and effort of the opponent. This issue is especially frustrating when players employ ultra-defensive tactics throughout the match and then quit at the last minute. EA's failure to address this issue reflects poorly on the online gaming experience, where fairness and competitiveness should be paramount.
The Potential for Sluggish Gameplay
While EA Sports FC 24 hasn't officially confirmed the presence of slow and sluggish gameplay, the absence of an announcement regarding improvements raises concerns. Inconsistent gameplay, especially during peak times like Sunday evenings, has been a longstanding issue. Slow and unresponsive gameplay can ruin the experience for players who look forward to unwinding with the game after a busy week. Dynamic cards and new features may add excitement, but if the core gameplay remains inconsistent, it detracts from the overall enjoyment.
Notable Improvements and Features
It's essential to acknowledge the positive changes and features that EA Sports FC 24 brings to the table:
1. Removal of Position Modifiers: The removal of position modifiers is a welcome change, making it easier to adjust player positions and formations, particularly in modes like Foot Draft.
2. Claiming All Objectives: A streamlined user experience is always appreciated. The ability to claim all objectives at once saves time and enhances convenience.
3. No More Lone Players in SBCs: The exclusion of lone players as options in Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) reduces clutter and encourages players to focus on building their squads. NBA2King is the best place to buy Cheap FC 24 Coins.
4. Shorter Squad Battles: Reducing the length of Squad Battles matches is a positive move, allowing players to complete matches more efficiently.
5. Improved Menu System: A more fluid and responsive menu system enhances the overall user experience, ensuring quicker navigation.
6. Inclusion of Women in Ultimate Team: While this decision has garnered mixed reactions, the inclusion of female players in Ultimate Team reflects EA's commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the game.
7. Evolutions: The potential for evolving the game through various changes and innovations is promising. If EA can address some of the persistent issues, this could be a game-changer.
Conclusion
As we eagerly await the release of EA Sports FC 24, it's essential to approach the Ultimate Team mode with both excitement and caution. While there are notable improvements and intriguing features, such as Play Styles and the new pack system, there are also lingering concerns about slow gameplay, draw quits, and the underwhelming Foot Moments mode. EA Sports FC 24 has the potential to be an exceptional gaming experience, but it's crucial for EA Sports to listen to player feedback and address the issues that have plagued the series for years. Only then can EA Sports FC 24 truly deliver on its promise of providing the ultimate football gaming experience.