Electronic Arts’s FC 25 Review: Familiar Pitch and Athletes, New Conditions, Old Problems, and Growing Strain

Getting started: Is FC 25 Good enough?

If you’re a current FC 24 player, you know the game is not an overhaul, but rather an enhancement on the last iteration. However for a lot of players, the central question is, “Is the upgrade worth the price?”.

Sports Game Competition is a Highly competitive Contest, EA Is on the Back Foot

This year’s game is being overshadowed by the highly anticipated EA College Football. Madden NFL, although slower than other sports games, is still evolving, and NBA 2K is still a juggernaut on its own on a different pitch. Fighting in the high-pressure sports game market is FC 25, which is compared to FC 24 and the rest on the schedule.

That intensity is tangible. EA has relied on using advertising terms such as Hypermotion V, FC IQ, and BallTouch for the goal of selling innovation. But as is the case, the real test lies on the pitch. While FC 25 does introduce some progress for those who buy budget PS4 video games, it follows the familiar drawbacks and the constant unwillingness to actually meaningfully change things.

The Clunkiness is Never-ending: The Irritation that’s Never Scratched

Let’s discuss the elephant that is ubiquitous: clunkiness. If you’ve played any EA football title within the past decade, you know what I mean. Matches that does not have commentary, players clipping through seats, and players celebrating with no one around in replays. Ultimate Team menus that crash mid-squad edit and work only after a console restart.

These are not issues EA FC 25 seeks to tackle. The quirks of FC 25 are many and taken from previous games. The odd commentary, however, are frustrating. The comments EA recorded are not false, but simply generic responses. You will hear the commentator celebrate a “great save” when the ball has no hope of cooperating. You will witness your manager teleport mid-substitution. You will simply not be able to move forward within Ultimate Team, simply because the game decides to freeze mid-pack opening.

This is the norm for longtime players, but that sure doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. These problems cause your engagement in FC 25 to still feel unrefined, even with polish; the same issues remain.

Weather Impacts: A Realistic Offline Upgrade

The notable change with FC 25 is the weather issues. Wind, rain, and even the pitch have a significant impact on how matches are played offline, e.g., passes, long shots, and even player losing footing. FC 25 adds these authenticity-boosting factors, which are well-implemented but also hinder the fun.

My Manager’s Career with a mid-level Ligue 1 team had an away match against Brest, and it was raining. Brest’s weather affected the match. Wind made set pieces uncontrollable and away from my control, compelling me to change my tiki-taka style. When something feels new and, most crucially, real during gameplay, it makes it a different experience.

Yet here is the entertaining aspect: lacking those elements in multiplayer. EA often maintain the conditions neutral for competitive formats for example FUT and Seasons, probably to prevent controversy over “non-player influences”. Of course, no one enjoys to miss a round because a strong breeze sent their kick off target, but the selectable simulation segment is increasing. Give those who desire a complete simulation use their switch.

Thus, Is grabbing EA Sports FC 25 worth it?

For faithful fans, users who purchase Xbox sports games, the new version will hardly validate the purchase. Still, the Rush mode addition is fantastic, as are the offline weather effects. The authenticity is enjoyable. The deficiency of creative updates, ongoing problems, and lack of networked atmospheric dynamics are disappointing. If you’re not a fan of sports games, you can pass on them, or ideally, try the last release that you will get for less.