EA Sports FC 26 Review – Incremental Gains

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It often feels pointless to even ask if the latest version of a yearly sports game is worth buying. Dedicated fans will purchase it every year, no matter how similar it is to the previous one. However, people who aren’t really into the game or sport generally don’t bother unless a major update catches their eye, and even then, they might only buy it every few years.

A new game truly stands out only when it dramatically changes the rules of its genre. *EA Sports FC 26* doesn’t do that – it’s exactly the kind of annual update fans expect, building on the existing formula with adjustments based on player suggestions. Fortunately, the game handles these tweaks effectively. While *FC 26* isn’t a massive overhaul of previous versions, and some changes are minor, the improvements that *do* matter make it worth checking out for both soccer fans and long-time players of the series.

I really enjoy playing in Authentic Mode, as it fits my preferred style of Career Mode much better.

As a long-time fan, one of the things that’s really impressed me about *FC 26* is how they’ve handled the different ways people like to play. They’ve basically created two distinct styles. There’s ‘Competitive,’ which is what you’ll get in online matches and feels like the fast-paced action we’re used to from previous *FC* and *FIFA* games. But then there’s ‘Authentic,’ which is awesome for Career Mode and other offline stuff. It slows things down and really focuses on making the game feel more realistic. Honestly, the series has always struggled to get that balance right – sometimes it’s been too fast, sometimes too slow. But giving us both options is brilliant! It means everyone can play the way *they* want, and it finally feels like a real solution to a long-standing issue.

The game truly feels different, and I definitely prefer Authentic Mode, especially when playing Career Mode. It slows down the action, making each part of the game feel more impactful. Defending is more solid and accurate, midfield play is more strategic, and attacks depend more on player speed and quick thinking. Overall, it creates a more engaging and realistic experience.

In a fast break, a quick winger and a slower center back shouldn’t move at the same speed – something previous *FIFA* and *FC* games often didn’t portray accurately. While *FC 26*’s Authentic Mode doesn’t completely fix this, it’s a noticeable improvement over the last game, getting closer to a realistic representation of player speed differences.

Defensive players now feel more responsive and tackle more effectively. Their movements are also more precise and consistent, and the AI seems to be genuinely improved – for example, players will automatically track back on defense even when you’re not directly controlling them.

I understand that many players enjoy the fast-paced, arcade-like gameplay of the series – and I sometimes do too. However, I’m happy to see that *FC 26* has toned down the excessive speed of *FC 25* based on fan feedback, and it’s done so pretty well. Fortunately, players who *do* prefer that faster style can still enjoy it. So, even in Career Mode, you can still have that quick, action-packed experience if you want to.

EA Sports FC 26 introduces several changes to Career Mode, with varying degrees of success. Players now have more ways to begin their careers, choosing from specific scenarios like overcoming a points deduction, winning a set number of trophies, or managing difficult financial situations. A new feature also allows players to simulate five leagues simultaneously, which should appeal to dedicated Career Mode fans.

Some of the new features are genuinely helpful, but others seem unnecessary. The new Unexpected Events feature, for example, introduces random challenges during a season, like players unexpectedly wanting to be traded, getting injured, or retiring.

Ultimately, this feels like EA simply repackaging a standard Career Mode feature and presenting it as something new and substantial. Handling unexpected player situations has always been central to Career Mode, and this appears to be a cosmetic change that doesn’t fundamentally alter the experience.

EA Sports has been working on improving how defending works in the game, something players have asked for a long time. If you’ve played the recent *FC* games, you’ll probably feel the changes right away.

The defensive improvements feel significant – tackles are more effective, player movements are more precise, and features like automatic defensive tracking work well. While the *FIFA/FC* games often receive post-launch updates that don’t always improve gameplay – many fans still remember the issues with *FC 25* – we’re hoping *FC 26* keeps these positive changes to the defensive system.

If you’re new to this series and just want a solid football game, *EA Sports FC* is a great place to start, just like any other game in the series.

Fans of the series will likely enjoy this game. It features improvements to gameplay based on player feedback, changes to game modes, and finally offers two distinct ways to play. Overall, EA Sports FC 26 is a solid addition for existing fans.

If you didn’t enjoy past games in the series, or were expecting a major overhaul, this new title probably won’t appeal to you. However, if you’re new to the franchise and simply want a solid football game, this *EA Sports FC* title is as good a place to start as any.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-09-22 20:12