In the grand, glittery world of soccer simulation, EA Sports FC 24 emerged like a shooting star after the glorious FIFA moniker was laid to rest, wearing its shiny new badge of honor. Now, while this freshly rebranded title hits the Switch, you might ask: is it merely a rehash of its predecessor or does it score some stunning goals of its own? Let's kick off this review with the hope that it doesn't end up in the back of the net like those cringe-worthy 90s mullets!
Gameplay in FC 24 has evolved yet again. The new feature, PlayStyles, offers a variety of unique skills for each player-think of it like an IKEA instruction manual for football players, each one has its quirky assembly required! You can now use well-honed skills like "Rocket Shot" or "Dancing Feet" that give your players flashy abilities on the pitch, as long as you remember to press the right buttons and not misinterpret your mom's grocery list for moves. With Ultimate Team rebranded from its FIFA predecessor, expect added layers of complexity, allowing you to upgrade players and build a roster that could rival the best of them. Just remember, you still can't turn your uncle's 7 a-side league into Real Madrid, so don't get too carried away!
Graphically, the Switch version does its best to replicate the glory seen on its more powerful cousins. However, it's safe to say it's not exactly oozing graphic fidelity. While the Frostbite engine employed in this version still holds its composure amidst the peppered frame rate caps (yup, it's a comfy 30fps, folks!), the visuals remain a level or two below what you'd expect from newer devices. Imagine someone trying to show off their new tech, but you catch glimpses of their retro old-school vibes lurking in the shadows-it's charming but a tad underwhelming if we're to be brutally honest. The graphics still carry the essence of the football world, featuring a range of facial animations that hit the 'discontented referee' level of accuracy.
In conclusion, EA Sports FC 24 is like that friend who shows up at the party with a solid playlist but keeps playing songs from last year. It's familiar yet streamlined compared to its FIFA predecessors, presenting new features that could have set it apart, yet feel just a tad too safe. The gameplay mechanics breathe new life for fanatics looking for that immersive soccer adrenaline rush on Switch while disappointing hardcore fans craving the full breadth of features available on other platforms. Ultimately, if you're searching for your go-to football game on the Switch, EA Sports FC 24 is a decent pick, but don't expect it to score a last-minute equalizer against the heavyweight versions for other consoles!