EA is doing a turn-based strategy game based on… football? That’s the strange premise behind the next EA Sports FC Tacticala mobile title coming to iOS and Android in early 2024. The company says the quirkiest installment in its decades-old franchise (formerly FIFA) results in “authentic soccer action like never before.”
As its description suggests, the matches will be simulated, so you won’t directly control the players’ actions like in traditional sports games. Instead, it focuses on game strategies such as player resistance and power play management. Playable modes include online matches and “intense online competitions” such as ranked matches, leagues and guilds. It sounds like a sports game for those who want 100 percent strategy and little to no player-controlled action.
Promotional screenshots show a one-on-one battle with numerical abilities assigned to each player. They are divided into categories such as dribbling, one-two, passing and shooting. The player in the photo appears to have “skill move” boost cards, such as Combative Pursuit Shot, Wild Dribble, and Floating Instep Shot. It seems like EA took familiar core gameplay elements from titles like Team fighting tactics (and many others) and put a football skin on it to appeal to fans of both genders.
The game will feature over 5,000 licensed players from “10+ major leagues” including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A. You can train players to improve their moves, unlocking new traits as you progress y Customize cosmetics such as stadium designs, uniforms and balls.
“EA Sports FC Tactical embraces strategic gameplay to create an entirely new football experience that immerses players in the global game like never before,” said Nick Wlodyka, Senior Vice President, EA Sports. The game is available for pre-registration at the App Store and Google Play ahead of the planned launch of January 18, 2024.
