EA Sports FC 25 Review – Back in the Game

As a career mode enthusiast who has spent countless hours managing teams and tweaking tactics, I can wholeheartedly agree that EA Sports FC 25 has made significant strides in enhancing my favorite game mode. The introduction of player roles and more flexible tactical options has given me a level of control over my team’s performance that I haven’t experienced before. It’s like being the maestro of an orchestra, conducting each player to perfection on the pitch.

Year after year, games produced by EA Sports FC (previously known as FIFA) introduce key features that are hyped up as revolutionary, but usually fall short of expectations, offering only superficial enhancements to the gameplay. However, for the first time in a while, it seems like some of the modifications made in EA Sports FC 25 actually provide tangible improvements that are noticeable right away. Granted, this is still a typical iterative annual sports franchise, so it’s not surprising that these changes are primarily incremental – it’s unrealistic to expect major overhauls from the genre at this stage. Nevertheless, FC 25 feels like one of the better versions of this formula in recent years.

2021’s game seems like a refreshing change for those who predominantly play Career Mode, a feature that has been a mainstay of the series for decades but often sees only cosmetic and insignificant updates each year, resulting in gradual deterioration and lack of progress. Fortunately, this year, Career Mode does see some significant enhancements.

In terms of the typical yearly sports game franchise, FC 25 represents a significant step up from recent versions, making it one of the more impressive iterations in several years.

One way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-to-read manner could be: In FC 25’s Manager Career Mode, youth development has taken center stage compared to previous years. The scouting and recruitment process remains similar to before, but the way talent is developed now feels more interactive, giving you more control over how academy players progress, along with more noticeable outcomes. Your coaching plans and development efforts actually impact young talents as they grow older, and you can even see visual changes in their appearance and attributes as they develop.

In this year’s game, you’ll find a fresh addition called Rush. It’s a 5v5 experience that modifies some of the standard rules on the field to deliver a quicker, more fluid, and end-to-end version similar to an 11v11 match in reality. While those who have played recent versions of FC (or FIFA) may recognize Rush as a tweaked version of VOLTA, there are some significant differences. For one, Rush is intertwined with the larger game modes, rather than being a standalone feature.

In Career Mode, Rush introduces an exciting twist with youth development. Occasionally, you can engage in thrilling 5v5 Rush matches featuring your most talented young players. This not only provides a refreshing break from the usual association football gameplay, but it also contributes to the youth development process. Unlike previous EA football games, which didn’t offer much depth in creating teams for the future, FC 25 is moving in the right direction by providing more control and detail in this area, even though it’s still not at the level of a game like Football Manager.

As a passionate gamer, I must say that one of the game-changing elements this year has been the addition of player roles – something that avid Football Manager enthusiasts will find quite familiar. These roles do more than just define a player’s position; they allow for intricate adjustments to a player’s on-pitch behavior.

“This year, Career Mode does benefit from some key improvements.”

Previously, games from last year had a somewhat indirect method for players to establish instructions via strategic choices. However, with the arrival of player roles in FC 25, these actions are now more direct and user-friendly. Moreover, it’s crystal clear how your decisions affect your team’s performance on the field. The multiple player roles available across all positions, combined with the tactical options offered in FC 25, provide players with a higher level of control over their team’s playstyle. For example, you can now set specific guidelines for your team’s formation and positioning – both when in possession and when not – which strategists will undoubtedly find appealing.

Of course, not all aspects of the experience have seen similar improvements. For instance, press interactions and the entire player morale system as a whole remain as ineffectual and shallow as ever. Yes, press interactions now come with entirely new sets of possible responses, and yes, they are much more strongly related to actual games, players, and their performances- but ultimately, it’s the same old system wearing a new suit, which means it has all of the same flaws. Very rarely does any of it feel like it matters, which makes it one of the more easily ignorable parts of the game.

The process of transfer and contract negotiations can sometimes be uncertain, much like in previous years, and I’m not entirely convinced about the new user interface (UI). Although I appreciate the fresh appearance and reorganization of menus, the UI occasionally feels cumbersome. For example, adjusting team strategies, player lineups, and formations initially seems counter-intuitive, although I understand that this may improve with time as I become more accustomed to the new interface (I hope so, at least).

Regarding visuals and presentation, EA Sports FC 25 is undeniably impressive. While it still has some of the technical flaws found in its earlier versions, such as commentary issues or occasional animation glitches, overall, the game boasts an attractive appearance and pleasing sound quality. There are more cutscenes before and after matches, the player models and faces generally look good, the stadiums and pitches are beautifully detailed, the crowd chants sound authentic, making it a satisfying experience, though not exactly awe-inspiring.

In the game of FC 25, a multitude of player roles spread across various positions, along with adaptable strategic choices and settings, offer gamers a more precise control over the way their team performs on the field.

In recent years, I’ve usually been left feeling let down by the major updates and enhancements promised by FC and FIFA games, as they frequently turn out to be just shallow modifications. However, this year, I’ve found myself genuinely impressed by the genuine and noticeable improvements in the game. To begin with, as a fan of Career Mode, I’m thrilled to see that it has finally received some much-needed attention. Additionally, changes made to on-pitch action, such as player roles, have significantly improved the overall gaming experience, particularly for those who enjoy experimenting with team tactics. All in all, EA Sports FC 25 is undoubtedly one of the better releases in the series over the past few years.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

2024-09-24 17:11

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