Sociable Soccer 24 Review (Air and Race)
Huge improvement, 23 Nov Update:
Thanks to the devs for adding Camera 5, a more zoomed out longer top down view of the pitch and it is awesome. Now I can see the tactical positions of my players and who's in space. As a result I can use the after touch curve on the ball so much more effectively. A lot more goals, a lot less frustration wondering where my players are positioned.
There are still many things that could be improved but the devs are clearly making quick corrections. kudos for that.
I've played through the career to the highest Platinum Div 1 and the end game doesn't appeal to me. It's a FUT mode without pay to win mechanics, but it does have a play to win bias - the more hours you play the better your squad. As a result many teams are running around with Haaland, Mbappe, VVD etc. The teams are still entirely beatable but seeing multiple teams with the same player is just so FC24 UT.
It's still a recommended and the new camera makes it a lot better than before. There is just the hint of something special here. I'll keep updating with things as I see it.
---------------------------Previous Review Update-----------------------------------------------------
Update after more Career (single player vs AI controlled player built 'draft' teams) mode playtime - the AI balance is much improved, especially as the player team progresses up the 10 league career ladder. Hard difficulty games vs AI controlled teams of a similar or better overall level are now the end to end frantic high scoring games you'd probably expect from Soci/Sensi. The Ai teams now actively threaten the player goal and score some well worked goals. Easy remains very easy and medium is a much better balance between the two.
A really nice touch in the game is the ability to earn real players from your chosen team each season in the 5 win streak games (reasonably level appropriate players not game breakers). To me this adds better connection to the squad and makes progress more compelling.
There are a number of issues such as red cards having no consequence beyond the sending off in a single game (no 2 or 3 match bans here), offside doesn't appear to exist - how much all this matters to you will depend on what you want from an arcade football game.
At the moment it remains just about a recommend as the gameplay loop is enjoyable and fun enough. A lot could be improved and built on.
-------------------- Original first impressions----------------------
Initial impression (as a backer of the 2017 Early access version, thank you devs for the updated key for this game).
Both surprising and quite different from what I expected. The spirit of Sensible World of Soccer (SWOS) is certainly alive in the game play. It's just about a recommended with a strong caveat about the AI ability and difficulty level.
Based on 2 friendly games and 7 career league games so far:
Good:
Fast paced arcade football action. Games are quick and largely fun.
The fun art style of the managers and referees match the arcade atmosphere well.
The game is stable...how often do we get to say that on day one.
The FIFPRO real player cards add greatly to the game (anyone else remember downloading those PES real name etc packs each year?)
The controls work well, it's intuitive within a couple of games.
Stand and slide tackles both work and keep the game pace up.
Graphics are all fine imo for an arcade style game.
Interesting:
The FUT draft style of squad development caught me by surprise. I didn't expect this system but it's actually quite enjoyable.
Manager and team levelling up, being able to upgrade individual players through match experience and destroying other player cards works well.
Plenty of tactical formation options give choice in style of play.
Not enough points on offer to win promotion in a single 'season' of 8 games even if every game is won on hard difficulty seems an odd choice.
Needs improvement (and who knows maybe this improves as the AI get better players?):
Too easy, even on hard. If you're an experienced FIFA/PES or arcade football of any kind player the game vs the AI is simply too easy even on the hard setting. I'm blasting in 6+ goals a match without reply with ease.
The AI seem unable to clear the ball quickly form dangerous areas leading to easy opportunities for the player to regain the ball and score.
As in EA Sports FC 4-2-2-2 is an overpowered meta this year. Two CDMs to cover the defence in case the AI get the ball. Going forward the two AMs and STs overwhelm the AI central defenders.
The unknowns:
It looks like it will be a lot of fun in 2 player mode but I'm yet to try that.
Coach mode - where the player manages the team but doesn't play the games looks intriguing, again unexpected in a game of this type.
I really wish the developers every success with the game and hope it finds an audience. Games like this put the fun back into a quick gaming session.
------------------------- That's all for now but I'll update if I find anything different after more game time ------------