EA Sports FC 24

EA Sports FC 24 is the first entry in the long-running football series to be released without the FIFA name, and it therefore draws extra attention to whether anything has actually changed under the new title. The foundation consists of the familiar range of modes: manager and player career, quick matches, online competitions and, above all, the collecting mode built around assembling a team from cards, which remains by far the most-played part of the game. This year's novelty was the introduction of player styles, traits derived from real-world data that give individual footballers concrete abilities, such as a long-range shot, a precise long pass, or tireless off-the-ball runs.

On the pitch, the changes show up mainly in player movement and in the battle for the ball. An animation system built on real-match motion capture makes transitions between running, turning and shooting smoother, and defending feels somewhat more disciplined than in previous years. The PlayStation 5 version offers higher resolution, smooth visuals and more detailed player and stadium models, along with short loading and haptic feedback that distinguishes a clean volley from a rash tackle. The presentation imitates a TV broadcast, including cameras, graphics and stadium atmosphere, and the soundtrack traditionally serves as a showcase of the current global music scene.

Reception was mildly positive: reviewers praised the player styles and the greater differences between individual footballers, but repeatedly criticized the collecting mode's dependence on purchases and the slower development of career modes. The series' influence on the genre is undeniable, given that for decades it has defined what football looks like on consoles, and its yearly cycle shapes the entire sports game market. Today FC 24 feels like a reliable, content-packed football game that shines brightest in matches against a friend on the same couch, where its greater emphasis on player individuality is genuinely noticeable.