2024 marks a new generation of football games from EA with EA Sports FC 24, the first title in the post-FIFA era (which reportedly wanted US$150m annually to continue under that banner). But don’t expect wholesale changes to a blueprint that has largely been refined over years of annual iterations, with EAFC24 building on FIFA 23’s systems to deliver a continuation of a winning formula.
I was able to watch a presentation from EA Sports showcasing EAFC 24’s improvements, as well as having access to a pre-beta version of the game, which featured UEFA Champions League finalists in both the men’s (Manchester City and PSG) and women’s (Chelsea and Lyon) competitions, giving me a first-hand look at the on-field changes players can expect.
Gameplay is powered by the latest iteration of EA’s HyperMotion technology – HyperMotionV – which is built on volumetric data. In the past, EA has captured data from lower Spanish leagues, but new technology has allowed them to capture 180 matches worth of data without the need to use motion capture, some involving the best players in the world. What this means is that players move with unprecedented realism, with players like Haaland running exactly like the powerful beast that he is and smacking defenders around. Unfortunately, HyperMotion is only available on current-gen consoles and PC, with PS4, Xbox One and Switch versions missing out.
Another new feature is PlayStyles, where a player will be able to utilise their signature ability. It could be Messi’s phenomenal dribbling skills that allow him or beat multiple defenders, or Mbappe’s ability to break away at lightning speed. These abilities will allow players to stand out on the pitch. PlayStyles+ is a feature that will be available to the top talent in the game, and this will see those players execute free kicks, headers, power shots, blocks and dribbles and tricks with added skill.
From my handful of matches, gameplay in EAFC24 feels slower but more impactful. Passing has seen some improvements, with players now able to execute ‘Precision’ passing by using R1 and through ball for a precision pass, R1 and lob for a precision lob pass, and L2, R2 and through ball for a swerved precision pass. It gives the player greater control when it comes to passes that require a bit of finesse.
There’s a new sprint option called Controlled Sprint, which allows player to run at a pace between jog and full sprint while maintaining control of the ball. Another new mechanic is Effort Dribble Touch, which tells players to take an extra touch to beat a defender before getting tackled and losing possession.
There’s no doubt that having access to some of the game’s best players available to play showcases the gameplay and its new technology better, but I’m always curious to know how the lesser teams play, such as Shrewsbury Town, Dynamo Dresden or Melbourne City, and how HyperMotion affects them.
I will admit that it’s hard to get a feel for the full understanding of how the changes will play out across the board with only a handful of teams and players to try, and only being able to verse the AI. People who have played FIFA in the past will know that it is an entirely different ball game when playing other humans, and then there’s Ultimate Team, which is an entirely different beast in itself.
Speaking of Ultimate Team, the popular mode has a new feature called Evolutions, which allows players to get permanent upgrades to things such as player ratings and skills by putting them into Evolution Paths and completing challenges.
EA Sports’ football experiences have always had that realistic broadcast experience and EAFC24 has once again raised the bar when it comes to match day production values, with the Champions League always looking like the TV spectacle that it is in real life, whether it’s before the match, during proceedings or after.
Off the pitch, EA has overhauled and simplified the game’s menu, with the tiles of previous games being replaced by a cleaner list. These improvements extend to the game mode menus too, such as Ultimate Team, where players can switch between things like objectives and other menus with ease.
While it’s only a sample of what’s to come, on the pitch EA Sports FC 24 is looking like it’ll be another solid entry in EA’s footballing catalogue. But can it do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke? We will have to wait and see.
Previewed on PS5 // Review code supplied by publisher
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