Recognizing subtle changes in longstanding entities can be challenging. Much like observing a tree’s growth over the years, the evolution of the FIFA football game series appears almost imperceptible within a single year. The franchise has been releasing new editions annually, and only after several iterations do the shifts in gameplay truly become evident. FIFA, in my view, has always existed in distinct phases. Following a set formula with minor tweaks, Electronic Arts periodically reinvigorates the series when it becomes clear that the gameplay has grown stale.
The latest chapter for the franchise commenced last year with its rebranding to EA Sports FC, marking a departure from its long-standing FIFA identity. However, the anticipated fresh start with FC 24 seemed more cosmetic than substantial, revealing the same underlying issues that had accumulated over the years. While there was no expectation for EA to completely overhaul its successful formula, FC 24 lacked innovative ideas. Now, with the release of EA Sports FC 25, EA is still delivering fruit from its established tree, albeit with a few new features that provide some relief from the familiarity of previous versions. Visually, FC 25 does not present a stark contrast to its predecessor; upon starting the game, a casual observer might mistake it for FC 24. However, once engaged in gameplay, the differences become more noticeable.
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One of the marked changes in EA Sports FC 25 is the heightened difficulty level, particularly for those accustomed to exploiting speedy wingers to breach defenses and score spectacular goals. The game now places a stronger emphasis on defensive play, empowering players to dictate the pace when off the ball. Defenders and defensive midfielders exhibit greater authority on the field, adeptly interrupting rapid offensive maneuvers. Initially, this shift can feel disorienting, as players may find themselves losing possession quickly if they do not carefully orchestrate their passes and play effectively as a unit. Defenders are quick to seize opportunities, forcing a more strategic approach to offensive plays.
Moreover, defenders can now execute tactical fouls to halt potential attacks, providing a fun element to gameplay, although this ability is situational and does not significantly bolster defensive strength overall. Even with this enhancement, defenders still seem to struggle with recovering against fast forwards. Once an agile attacker evades them, it becomes exceedingly difficult for defenders to regain control, a persistent issue that remains unaddressed in FC 25.
Defenders still struggle to make recoveries against pacy forwards
Photo Credit: EA
The EA Sports football series has traditionally embraced an arcade-like representation of the sport—fast-paced, sleek, and appealing to a younger audience. However, EA Sports FC 25 attempts to introduce a touch of realism amidst its typically frenzied gameplay aimed at a demographic raised on social media platforms. A new “Simulation Settings” feature allows players to convert from the classic FIFA style to a more realistic representation akin to tactical simulations. EA claims that this mode resembles authentic live football matches, a statement that may be exaggerated, yet it does introduce a slower tempo to the game, encouraging more thoughtful decision-making. Once I activated the Simulation mode, I found it hard to revert to the standard gameplay.
This transformation extends beyond defensive scenarios; attacking players are now influenced by mechanics that prioritize realistic interactions. Players are more prone to poor touches, significantly less effective in one-on-one confrontations, and less likely to burst past opponents at speed. Passing feels less rigid, challenging players to navigate tight spaces with care initially, though with practice, one can adapt and find effective strategies.
With the simulation setting on, the gameplay is more realistic and considered
Photo Credit: EA/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The revamped gameplay mechanics are further complemented by an updated tactical framework in FC 25. This encompasses team management, player roles, and overall tactical strategies. Players are welcomed into an improved and more organized tactics menu, allowing for the selection of tactical presets, formations, build-up styles, and defensive approaches. While this streamlining results in a neater experience, it also sacrifices some tactical options available in earlier titles, limiting the customization of individual player positions.
Despite the loss of some tactical flexibility, there is a notably deeper emphasis on defining individual player roles within the starting eleven. Each position comes with specific responsibilities, significantly impacting player behavior and decision-making on the field. For example, a right-back might be assigned a role that encourages them to drift into midfield, facilitating an offensive strategy, while other roles may emphasize defensive priorities. Each role carries its own advantages and potential pitfalls, influencing team dynamics based on the choices made.
Player Roles add depth to the tactical setup of your team
Photo Credit: EA/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Each player also has varying levels of Role Familiarity indicated through ‘plus’ signs. This familiarity dictates how effectively players perform their assigned roles. A single plus sign indicates mastery of the position, while a double plus sign signifies exceptional proficiency. Such personalization allows for strategic adjustments and enhances team chemistry during matches.
However, the AI’s tactical underpinnings still exhibit flaws. EA has introduced a new AI model aimed at improving positional awareness and player behavior utilizing real-world data. Yet, during gameplay, these enhancements seem barely perceptible. Many players encounter persistent issues, such as AI-controlled teammates failing to close gaps in defense or adapt to dynamic gameplay situations.
FC 25 features Smart Tactics options that can be accessed with the D-pad
Photo Credit: EA
Career Mode maintains its division between Manager and Player careers, with Manager Mode taking center stage in this review. Following minimal updates for FC 24, FC 25 offers limited enhancements that do little to revamp the experience. The overarching tactical vision feature remains, with some tweaks to gameplay tasks, but significant new features are lacking. Users are met with a tasks list and social media updates, which, while initially engaging, soon become monotonous.
The new manager mode homescreen comes with a task list and a social media feed
Photo Credit: EA/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The new tactics system integrates into Career Mode, necessitating adaptive strategies for success, but the transfer hub remains unchanged, showcasing long-standing processes with no updates. The absence of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) during matches in 2024 feels outdated, especially within Manager Mode, even as new opportunities for youth development and bi-monthly tournaments emerge. While the introduction of a manager career option for women’s teams is a welcomed addition, core elements of the mode that players have sought for years remain unattended.
As expected, the Ultimate Team mode continues to be a focal point for EA. A significant inclusion this year is the 5v5 Rush mode, replacing the previous Volta street football element. This new mode is defined by a distinct set of rules and emphasizes quick, fun match formats. Players can engage in online matches, either with friends or strangers, contributing to its addictive appeal reminiscent of other popular games like Rocket League.
Rocket League-style five-a-side Rush mode is fun and addictive
Photo Credit: EA
While playing with friends ensures a more cohesive gaming experience, matches with random players can be unpredictable, often leading to chaotic situations. Nonetheless, the Rush mode stands out as an enjoyable component of FC 25, often overshadowing more traditional match formats in Ultimate Team.
Ultimate Team retains all its familiar components, including squad-building challenges and online competitions, with a notable emphasis on microtransactions. New tactical features integrate into this mode as well, while the Evolutions feature allows for performance upgrades for player cards through challenge completion or additional purchases.
Ultimate Team remains the focus for EA
Photo Credit: EA/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The remaining modes, such as online Seasons and Clubs, continue without significant alterations, maintaining the series’ legacy of consistency. While there are no radical changes or bold innovations, it is difficult to fault EA for preserving what continues to resonate with players. However, the slight visual upgrades are disappointing, as FC 25 operates and appears much like its recent predecessors.
As earlier mentioned, visual distinctions between FC 25 and FC 24 are limited. Minor enhancements in player appearance and animations may be present, yet these fall short of representing a significant visual upgrade. Frustratingly, cloth physics seem to have taken a step back, with player kits exhibiting exaggerated movement that appears almost comedic. Persistent graphical glitches remain an issue throughout.
Certain player faces and animations are improved in FC 25
Photo Credit: EA
Ultimately, when weighing the new features against the persistent frustrations, EA Sports FC 25 falls short of offering a transformative experience. This pattern reflects a broader trend within the franchise, which has often chosen to iterate rather than innovate, resulting in a cycle of redundancy. Each new installment feels like a rehash of the last, punctuated by minor updates and the occasional, albeit welcome, addition like the Rush mode. Although the tactical overhaul provides a new avenue for strategy and player deployment, it comes at the cost of flexibility.
The gameplay improvements present some positive strides forward, particularly in the defensive aspect, but overall, there remains a sense of missed opportunities regarding meaningful changes. The lack of substantial updates to Career Mode continues to frustrate players who have long desired significant reform. EA Sports FC 25 preserves some superficial enhancements, but core issues remain unaddressed. Over time, the game has increasingly adopted a live service model, providing only incremental upgrades to a loyal, yet dissatisfied, player base each year.
Pros
- Engaging and addictive Rush mode
- Deeper tactical control with Player Roles
- Greater emphasis on defending
- Focus on realism with Simulation setting
- Improved animations
Cons
- Minor changes to Career Mode
- UI and gameplay issues
- Lack of significant visual upgrades
- Rigid tactical system
- Frustrating AI behavior
Rating (out of 10): 6
EA Sports FC 25 was released on September 27 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch.
Pricing starts at Rs. 3,999 for the Standard Edition on Steam and Epic Games Store for PC, and Rs. 4,499 on PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, and Microsoft Store for Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One.
