Aside from that, though, FC 24 is a mostly recognizable experience, especially to owners of EA FC 24 Coins. That isn't to say the game is lacking, only that there aren't many big changes, save for those previously mentioned — and those aren't necessarily justification enough for another yearly purchase.

At the same time, some of the finicky issues that have plagued EA Sports FC in the past are still present this year, including inconsistent player auto-switching and a wide difficulty gap between the "Semi Pro" (Medium) and "Professional" (Hard) levels. On Semi Pro, for example, players can score at will, as the AI barely poses any threat on offense or defense. Yet on Professional, things escalate to a real match, but one that, for the novice player, will be extremely challenging. There's little middle ground for newcomers to develop their skills without getting hosed every match.

All the usual suspects for modes have returned as well, from Be a Pro, to Career, to EA Sports FC Ultimate Team. As with this year's Madden, Ultimate Team adds a new chemistry mechanic that increases the viability of a team based on individual player associations. However, in FC 24 those associations are boiled down to whether two players are from the same country, club, or league, not their play style. So, matching up a player from the MLS with a like-minded counterpart from the Premier League doesn't boost the Ultimate Team's chemistry. It's a strange way to use the mechanic and, to be honest, players will have better success if they simply go after the most skilled footballers.

With the next-gen version of FC 24 a little less than two months away, gamers have a difficult choice to make: pick up the game now or wait to see what improvements the next-gen offers. After significant time with FC 24 it's hard to recommend the game to anyone but the most die-hard fans, as the improvements are subtle and don't fundamentally change the gameplay. The modes have been tweaked and adjusted, but, again, there isn't anything to justify the $60 price tag for owners of last year's game.

That being said, the gameplay in FC 24 is much more refined when compared to FC 24. so those who do pick up the game will find a more enjoyable experience overall. Not to mention the realism that the collisions and shooting add to the proceedings make the game look as close to real soccer as it ever has. But two subtle, but in my opinion needed, improvements aren't going to outweigh a lot of the same-ness that pervades the game overall. Picking up FC 24 now won't leave gamers dissatisfied, but it might be worth waiting to see what the next-gen has to offer.

With Gamescom 2022 set to kick off in Cologne, Germany this week, it's safe to expect that there will be plenty of news concerning both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. And with the European markets a sizable battlefield, expect both Microsoft and Sony to come out swinging.

The first rumors of Microsoft's plans have arrived, and if true, could be a game-changer. The reports come from a number of sources, claiming that Microsoft will be bundling a free copy of cheap FIFA 24 Coins with every Xbox One console sold in Europe, forging a new relationship between the next generation of Xbox hardware and one of Europe's best-selling games.