Okay, so picture this: EA ditches the “FIFA” name last year and rolls out “EA Sports FC.” It’s like your mate deciding to call himself “Chad Thundercock” – you just can’t take it seriously. Sales took a bit of a hit, but EA’s laughing all the way to the bank thanks to Ultimate Team, which is basically a digital casino disguised as a sticker book.
Now, they’re back with “EA Sports FC 25” (still a terrible name) and yes, as usual this sucker bought it for my regular Friday night football ritual. There’s just nothing quite like winding down the week with a few drinks, good friends and a “FIFA” session to kick off a banger premier league and FPL weekend!
Now I haven’t been a fan of the switch from FIFA to EA Sports FC, but, surprise surprise, they actually added some cool stuff! Last year was all about fancy animations, this year it’s about tactics with this thing called “FC IQ.” Basically, you can micromanage every player’s AI. Want Saka bombing forward like a madman instead of defending? You got it! It’s a bit much for a casual kick-about, but for those who love to strategize, it’s a dream come true.
All the usual modes are there – Career, Seasons, the lot and they’ve thrown in a new one called “Rush” mode, which is like five-a-side on Red Bull – it’s pure chaos, and if you’ve mastered the art of the stepover, you’ll reign supreme. Of course, Ultimate Team is back, with its addictive card-collecting shenanigans to drain your wallet, but at least they threw in “Rush” mode there too.
But On the pitch, is where the real magic happens. Players move like they’re actually, you know, playing football. The pace is a bit slower than those old Pro Evo days, but it gets intense when you’re on the attack. Each team has its own distinct personality, and you really notice the difference between, say, Liverpool and Man UTD, with Man UTD way crappier just like in real life. It’s like they’ve captured the essence of each club, with Erik Ten Haag’s signature head shakes and all!
And the best part? Controlling the superstars. Zipping around with Saka, smashing in goals with Haaland, pinging those perfect passes with Odegaard– it’s almost like you’re actually them! For a few glorious seconds, you feel like a football god. These moments of brilliance are what make the game truly special.
But, there’s a catch. I’ve seen some weird glitches, like text going bonkers and players morphing into unholy creatures and the camera getting stuck in some…awkward positions. But hey, nothing’s perfect, right? The new tactical stuff is cool, but you need to be a proper football nerd to appreciate it. And Ultimate Team is still a money-sucking black hole. But hey, it’s still fun to play, and those moments of brilliance make it all worthwhile.
