FC 25 Review: A Great Buy for Those Who Missed the Last Five FIFA Games

Contents:

• What's so special about Ultimate Team and how Rush mode breaks up the routine of familiar gameplay
• FC IQ is designed for those who want to control all tactical aspects of the match
• Other UT innovations are too small, albeit useful
• Now - about the general changes in FC 25
• There's a lull in the coach, player, and Clubs career modes

The EA Sports FC football simulation series, formerly known as FIFA, has retained its core principles despite the name change. The developers continue to gradually evolve the game, introducing new elements. The latest update added two significant features: Rush Mode and the FC IQ tactical system. These innovations significantly improved the gameplay, making it more engaging and strategically deep. EA Sports FC continues to attract football simulation fans, offering them a high-quality gaming experience.

We spent 50 hours in the new football simulator and are now ready to share our opinions on the innovations and issues we encountered. In this review, we'll cover the game's key features in detail and answer the question of whether it's worth buying.

What's so special about Ultimate Team and how Rush mode breaks up the grind of familiar gameplay

Ultimate Team is the game's core mode, attracting the attention of most fans of the series and generating significant revenue for publisher EA for nearly a decade. The mode has gained popularity among football fans due to the ability to build your own squad: players who train hard and win games can afford the best players from a variety of clubs. This provides variety and strategic depth to the gameplay, making Ultimate Team an essential part of the experience for many users.

In the 2000s, team selection in FIFA was limited, with players only able to play for full squads of clubs like Real Madrid or Manchester United. However, the Ultimate Team (UT) mode now offers the opportunity to assemble a unique squad featuring stars like Mbappé, Hendrick, and Anthony. Players in this mode function like collectible cards: they can not only be purchased and sold on the transfer market, but also exchanged for more valuable items and obtained from packs in the in-game store. This approach adds an element of strategy and excitement to the gameplay, allowing players to create teams to suit their tastes and playing style.

The early years of UT were very popular with players willing to spend real money to purchase in-game currency to unlock packs and have a chance to acquire megastars like Messi or Ronaldo. However, the mode developed slowly, and the annual progress reset and the need to start from scratch alienated some of the devoted audience. As a result, many players began to look for alternative ways to enjoy the game, which presented a challenge for the developers in terms of maintaining interest and introducing new mechanisms.

This year, the game has seen a minimal number of significant changes. The iconic Volta mode, aimed at a younger audience, has been replaced by the new Rush mode. In Rush, players participate in five-on-five matches on a compact field, where each player controls their own football player, while the goalkeepers are controlled by artificial intelligence. Game time is only seven minutes, which creates a dynamic and chaotic atmosphere. As in other online modes, players tend to attack, ignoring defensive actions and often leaving the center of the field empty. Passes are rare, which emphasizes feints and shots, making the game more spectacular and exciting.

Rush mode limits the players you can play with. In the first season, a player's rating must be 79 or lower and must belong to your club, not be purchased. This is a smart decision, as otherwise, all players would be using superstars in the first week. Additionally, selecting players from a certain league or nationality gives the entire team bonus points. Therefore, it is sometimes more beneficial to use players who meet the specified conditions rather than the strongest ones on the roster. This adds strategy to the game and allows for deeper analysis of the team's composition.

In a few days, a short-term event will begin that requires players to use central defenders. The current mode requires a player rating of no more than 88. The developers will undoubtedly introduce new requirements regularly, which players will have to adapt to. This variety only increases the mode's interest.

How you approach the Rush mode in the game directly depends on your playstyle and whether you have friends with FC 25. If you prefer to play solo, you may sooner or later get bored with the monotony of interacting with random teammates. In this case, you will be heavily dependent on their actions: sometimes they are enjoyable, but sometimes disappointing, especially when no one returns to defense. This is unlike playing with an assembled team of four, where you can effectively distribute roles—for example, two play in the center, one plays defense, and the other attacks. In this format, Rush becomes more engaging and interesting thanks to the interaction with friends. A well-coordinated team not only improves gameplay but also increases the chances of winning, making the game more exciting.

FC IQ is designed for those who want to control all tactical aspects of the match.

One of the key innovations is the FC IQ tactical system. Previously, football simulators in this series lacked depth in tactics, and players were mainly limited to changing the formation. When a team is confidently leading, you can switch to a defensive formation, for example, 5-3-2, to make it difficult for the opponent to counterattack or find one-on-one situations with a defender. If the team is behind late in the match, tactical options allow you to choose a super-attacking formation and put pressure on the opponent. This new tactical system significantly expands the strategic options of players, making the game more dynamic and exciting.

Modern tactics in football have become more complex and varied, especially in attacking play. The new basic principles are easy to grasp. Ultimate Team mode features three main formations: Classic, which emphasizes quick breakaways; Cautious, which focuses on disrupting opponents' attacks; and Direct, which emphasizes ball control. Each of these formations has its own unique formation, attacking style, and defensive strategies. However, the number of available formations is limited, and many players may be reluctant to try new formations. We recommend that you feel free to create your own tactics and customize them at your own discretion to achieve maximum success in the game.

One of the key innovations is player roles, which determine their movement without the ball. The game features over 30 roles, each with its own emphasis, usually between attacking style and balance. Each player has several standard roles, indicated by green plus signs next to their name. FC 25 stars, ideally suited to a specific role, have two green plus signs. These changes significantly impact the team's tactical options and allow for more precise adjustments to the opponent's style.

Let's take McAllister as an example. The ideal role for a central midfielder in the Liverpool team is box-to-box. In this position, he becomes more useful in a specific area of ​​the pitch. However, McAllister can also be deployed in a holding role in a defensive midfield, where he will also showcase his strengths.

Once you've assembled your first quality lineup for online matches, it's worth paying attention to tactical templates. Study and select one or two tactics that suit your style of play. Player roles require a more careful approach, as they depend on specific positions on the pitch. For example, replacing Di Maria with Dembélé may require a role reconsideration, as despite the same position, these players possess different qualities. To maximize the potential of each new star in your lineup, you'll need to manually assign optimal roles. Whether Ultimate Team opponents will pay attention to this remains to be seen—tactical experts certainly have an advantage. A proper understanding of roles and tactics will help you achieve better results in the game.

In matches, it's noticeable that attacking players controlled by AI are more effective for the team: they open up for passes and throws, and actively participate in attacks. However, the defensive line still exhibits a lack of clarity, especially when compared to the attacking play. The developers don't provide sufficient tactical tools to improve defensive performance, which negatively impacts the defensive reliability. Furthermore, there's a clear slowdown among defenders, even those as fast as Van de Ven and Tomori, who often find themselves outpaced by slower opponents. This creates additional challenges for the team and requires a rethinking of their approach to game mechanics.

The game's creators deserve praise for quick access to changing tactics and various switches. All settings can be adjusted during the match using the D-pad on the gamepad. This feature also activates tactical advice provided by the game in real time, depending on the situation on the pitch. Such advice is ideal for those who prefer not to delve into complex strategies and save time. If you need to maintain the score, you can simply activate a defensive tactic with a few button presses, and if you notice your opponent is struggling, it's worth trying the tiki-taka tactic. Other strategies, such as gegenpressing or counterattacking, are also available in the game, giving football fans a wide range of tactical options.

Other new features in UT are too small, albeit useful

EA Sports doesn't delight its fans with significant innovations in game modes. There are currently few noteworthy updates to highlight.

The previous FC release introduced a player development system that allowed players to improve the stats of specific cards. This system became popular among players looking to upgrade their favorite players. For example, if you liked Chiellini's play but found his card too slow for online matches, you could improve it with the "Speed ​​Guardian" development. This allowed the card to remain relevant and useful for a while. However, it's worth noting that not all players were able to take advantage of this development system.

FC 25 updated the system that caps the maximum stats of player cards. This change opens up new development opportunities for a wider range of players. Additionally, the game features a refreshed visual style: you can now create a stylish animated card for your favorite player, allowing them to stand out from the crowd. These innovations make the process of upgrading players more fun and varied, bringing fresh elements to the gaming experience.

Player cards in the roster display the average price on the transfer market. This feature significantly simplifies the process of analyzing the value of players, allowing you to quickly determine which ones can be sold profitably. For example, Dembele from Barcelona, ​​with a rating of 86, was valued at 200 thousand coins, which allowed me to quickly sell him to another player. In addition, the new mode has eliminated contracts, which had long been perceived as unnecessary and distracted players from the main game. This improvement makes the gameplay more comfortable and effective.

In the summer, new loan types were introduced to UT: temporary player loans and global loans. These new cards do not replace the traditional loan for a certain number of matches, but rather complement it. Unlike standard loans, temporary loan cards are active for only 4-5 days, meaning they must be used immediately. This developer approach creates additional motivation for players to stay in the game longer and not put off their gaming sessions. However, EA Sports is still cautious about the new mechanic: temporary loans are rarely found in packs and are absent from squad building challenges. This may indicate the developers are unsure of the innovation's effectiveness.

A huge stadium has been added to the game, in the stands of which personalization elements such as arena decor, performances, emblems, and banners on flagpoles look especially impressive. Pre-match broadcasts have also been updated, now focusing on the most dangerous players and the debuts of star footballers, creating a more exciting experience for spectators.

In Squad Battles, the strengths and weaknesses of opponents are displayed before the match. However, this feature proves ineffective and often disorients players. The game considers a defensive line with Thuram, Salib, Cafu, and Hernandez to be weak, while most active Ultimate Team players do not have the opportunity to use such fast and high-quality defenders. This creates a distorted picture and makes it difficult to analyze the opponent, which negatively affects the gameplay.

UT modes such as Moments, Draft, and Squad Battles have not undergone significant changes. This may disappoint players who were expecting new features and improvements to these popular modes. It is important to note that stability and familiarity with the game mechanics also have their benefits, allowing players to focus on strategy and tactics without having to adapt to new conditions. However, to maintain interest in the game, the developers should consider introducing innovations and updates in the future.

Now, about the general changes in FC 25

Let's start with the negative aspects: the gameplay of the new game, in particular the football matches themselves, is so similar to last year's version that changes can only be detected through careful analysis. Only after a few matches did I notice the improved passing accuracy system. In FC 25, awkward passes are less common. When a player is under pressure and makes a difficult pass, the accuracy of that pass is now more dependent on the player's skill level than before. Unfortunately, the rest of the changes on the pitch are too minor: it seems like the developers are storing up ideas for the next part of the series.

The authors were inspired by other football simulators and introduced a new type of gameplay in offline modes. Simulation mode significantly slows down gameplay, making it more tactical and unpredictable than the fast-paced gameplay typical of the FIFA series. Offline matches also feature more realistic weather effects, including the ability to adjust wind strength. Strong gusts can cause the ball to change trajectory, evoking nostalgic memories of playing with friends in the backyard. This new approach to gameplay allows players to become more immersed in the atmosphere of a football match and experience every nuance of the game.

These new features significantly change the gameplay, creating the feeling of a completely new game. These are precisely the changes sorely needed in Ultimate Team, which has continued to be dominated by lineups featuring fast players in recent years, while Possession mode remains less popular among players. Innovations are needed to make gameplay more varied and engaging for a wider audience.

The series has returned to full pre-match broadcasts, which include player entrances, anthems, and squad introductions. However, this update is only available for offline 11-on-11 matches. FC fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of this atmosphere since FC 24 replaced pre-match intros with short videos featuring mini-team introductions. The return of traditional broadcasts significantly enriched the gameplay, creating a more immersive football experience.

In FC 24, the pitch was sometimes shown from the referee's perspective. The POV camera activated after dangerous moments, allowing the player to become the referee for a few seconds, handing out cards and setting the spot for free kicks. In FC 25, the camera takes you inside the bodies of more important players on the pitch. You can score magnificent volleys or take corners by giving teammates instructions with gestures. Despite some texture bugs that may spoil the overall experience, this new feature significantly refreshes the gameplay and adds realism to matches.

The infographics that appear during matches have become more informative. In UT, they highlight a team's poor chemistry, emphasizing the need for more careful lineup selection. Augmented reality tools sometimes display the number of shots on target, as well as the ratings of the match's best and worst players. In some cases, the odds for both teams to win are also presented, a nod to bookmakers. Players in good form are highlighted, and the infographic provides statistics on their performances over the last three matches. Improving these tools allows viewers to better analyze the game and makes the process of watching matches more exciting.

FC 24 featured a free season pass, which was valid exclusively in Ultimate Team (UT). It offered players the opportunity to earn packs, players, and cosmetic items for completing various tasks. Despite the developers' initial plans to make the pass a paid service, this change did not occur in the final version of the game. Instead, other promised features have been implemented: the new FC Hub season pass now works not only in UT but also in Career and Clubs modes. Players can complete tasks in any mode, accumulate season points, and earn rewards that are available across all game modes. However, it's worth noting that most rewards remain focused on Ultimate Team.

The Highlighter Replay system offers significantly more than simply displaying replays from various angles. Its functionality includes a photo mode, a highlight creator, and tools for content creators. Particularly noteworthy is the latter tool, which allows you to create short videos where any player on the pitch can be used as the main character. This tool offers replay editing features, including camera movement, video trimming, and the addition of effects and filters. However, the resulting video is saved only on the console, which limits the ability to share content. Integration with social networks like X would be a useful improvement for creators.

The developers originally expressed their love for football by introducing mini-scenes into the main menu, reflecting real football moments. The game's animated menu shows various football players performing feints, shooting, and controlling the ball. This creates the atmosphere of a real football match and immerses players in the world of sport.

The references to real events in these movements are difficult to understand without context, but they contain important moments from the history of modern football. For example, one can recall the famous corner taken by Trent Alexander-Arnold, which led to the fourth goal against Barcelona and cost the team the UEFA Champions League final. Also worth noting is the meme associated with manager Zidane's celebration, clutching his head and shaking his hands, which has become a symbol of the emotions of the football world. These episodes highlight both important game moments and the emotional component of football culture.

One of the pleasant innovations is the ability to make multiple quick substitutions at will. This variety eliminates the need to pause the match to make necessary substitutions. In addition, the artificial intelligence now starts making substitutions even in the first half when losing—an interesting change that makes virtual football more like real football.

There's a lull in the manager, player, and Clubs career modes.

The latest FIFA updates have seen significant changes to game modes. However, in this version, the innovations are minimal.

The new version significantly expands the career settings, making the gameplay more flexible and adaptive. You now have a variety of toggles at your disposal to adjust the game's difficulty level. You can choose to manage clubs like Real Madrid or Chelsea and set a lengthy transfer ban of 14 seasons. This will add an element of strategy and challenge to your career. You can also make player negotiations more difficult, which will lead to increased intransigence from sellers. As a result, you may have to overpay for your desired players, and sometimes even face a rejected deal. This setting allows you to create a unique gaming experience that combines realism and challenge.

The friendly game format offers a variety of opportunities. Players, including young players, can accelerate their development. This means talents like Lavia and Chelsea's Mudrik can reach star status much sooner, rather than in 5-7 seasons. This makes the gameplay more exciting and dynamic, attracting more fans.

The developers have updated the user interface of all three modes, incorporating elements of the UT design. The new interface is a sequence of rectangles with information, which ensures ease of perception. Users quickly get used to the changes, and after some time, the new menus seem more practical compared to previous versions. In the Manager Career mode, a control center has been implemented that dynamically displays the most important information. Before matches, you can access press conferences and opponent analysis here, and during the off-season, the center becomes a place for transfer offers and scout reports. The interface update improves the user experience and increases the functionality of the game.

In UT mode, quick navigation via the LT/L2 button has been implemented, allowing you to quickly switch to the desired tab from anywhere. However, the ability to customize bookmarks to suit personal preferences is not available, which makes navigation less convenient. For example, adding a "Finance" tab would be a useful addition.

A new social media feed has been added to the coaching career, featuring current football news of varying importance. Of interest to fans of football transfers is FC's collaboration with renowned expert Fabrizio Romano. His virtual avatar regularly updates on key deals in the world of football under the popular hashtag #HereWeGo. The feed also actively publishes materials from The Athletic, a media outlet that attracts fans of sports analytics and in-depth football research. This platform is becoming an essential source of information for anyone who wants to stay up to date with the latest developments in football transfers and analytics.

Automated training plans have been introduced in the Coach Career, significantly saving time. These plans are set up once, and after that, the coach doesn't have to worry about the rest of the process. The team's key players will effectively regain their fitness after matches, while the substitutes can improve their game tone. This approach optimizes the training process and allows coaches to focus on other aspects of the team's preparation.

The Youth Academy has taken a significant step forward by organizing monthly tournaments for juniors. These competitions are reminiscent of Rush matches, but take place on a traditional training pitch rather than the futuristic Nike Air Zoom arena. Participation in tournaments allows juniors to significantly accelerate their progress, and within a few years, the most talented players will be able to compete for a place in the main squad of a top club. Developing playing skills and team spirit in such tournaments contributes to the development of future stars of the football world.

At first glance, the player development plan in FC 24 may seem similar to the previous one. The system retains the ability to change positions and adapt characteristics to individual requirements. However, thanks to the implementation of the FC IQ tactical system, the development plan now allows for the improvement of player roles. This feature is an essential tool that will help you transform your favorite players into true football masters.

Press conferences have undergone significant changes. First of all, journalists' questions have become more varied and now cover both tactical aspects and analysis of the opponents' performance. This variety of questions makes press conferences much more interesting and informative, and now you don't want to miss them, as you did three years ago. Secondly, the approach to player customization has changed. Constantly praising footballers can lead to their complacency and negligence. It is important to maintain a balance in evaluating their performances: criticize for failures, and next time celebrate successes. This approach will help maintain player motivation and prevent overconfidence.

FC 25 introduced updated player customization, offering a variety of new options available in all offline modes. One of the significant new features is the randomizer, which allows you to quickly create a unique face for your character. For those who prefer preset faces, the number of available options has increased compared to FC 24, which only had 15. However, it's worth noting that on the pitch, the faces of created players still look unnatural, like wax figures. This can likely only be fixed with a new game engine.

The player career mode in this release received less attention than other aspects of the game. The main feature was the ability to play as one of the legendary FC 25 players, such as Zidane, Beckham, Pirlo, and Ronaldo. This sounds tempting, especially given Ronaldo's high rating of 94, which allows him to dominate any tournament. However, you can maintain interest by setting the difficulty to maximum and attempting to recreate the career of the outstanding Brazilian striker. This approach adds realism and excitement to the gameplay, allowing players to feel like they're in the shoes of the great forward.

The "Clubs" mode offers certain advantages. Club owners have the opportunity to develop infrastructure that directly impacts all club members. For example, the presence of a treadmill helps improve endurance and sprint speed. Additionally, working with a sports psychologist helps improve concentration, manage aggression, and develop the "Active Defense" playing style. This creates a comprehensive approach to training, which in turn leads to improved results for club members.

In recent player leveling updates, final talents, known as archetypes, which provided bonuses to the stats of the selected tree, were removed. Now, access to Playstyles and Enhanced Playstyles (EP+) is granted at earlier levels. EP+ slots activate at levels 20 and 60, while previously they occurred at levels 25 and 75. These changes make the leveling process more accessible and dynamic, allowing players to quickly adapt to new game mechanics and styles.

FC 25 continues to frustrate players with numerous bugs. While the game has been out for some time since its September 27th release, it still faces serious technical issues, including frequent freezes. The goalkeeper takes too long to throw the ball into play during substitutions, and the fabric on players' shirts looks unnatural. Character hairstyles also occasionally glitched. Urgent updates are needed to fix these issues and improve gameplay.

The game is plagued by glitches, including glitches that appear over images, on store packaging, and the FC Hub season pass window that flashes every time you claim a reward for completing a task. A persistent bug persists, where a player who has sustained a minor injury continues running as if nothing happened after just half a minute. These issues significantly impact gameplay and require developer attention to improve game quality.

The developers' negligence, although it causes dissatisfaction, should not overshadow the main advantages of FC 25. The game offers a variety of modes, has an attractive visual style and high-quality sound design, including an excellent soundtrack. Fans expect more innovations, but the publisher's tight deadlines force the team to work slowly and incrementally. This limits the opportunity to implement new ideas and improvements, which may impact the overall perception of the project. Nevertheless, FC 25 continues to attract users thanks to its strengths and potential for development.

If you are not familiar with the latest installments in the series, the new game will likely not disappoint. The project has significantly improved over the years of development and, building on the achievements of the previous games, offers a wide range of content. You will be able to enjoy Clubs, a revamped coaching career, and the brilliant Ultimate Team, where you can spend an entire year immersed in exciting game modes and features.

Before purchasing FC 24, owners should check out the Rush mode gameplay video. If you are not interested in this mode and do not plan to delve into the tactics of FC IQ, then you can skip the new game.

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The European Football Championship became an inspiration To create a variety of video games that recreate the atmosphere of this significant sporting event. Game developers strive to convey the emotion, tension, and competitive spirit characteristic of the tournament. In these games, players can manage their favorite teams and participate in exciting matches, feeling like they are part of a real championship.

Modern football simulators offer realistic graphics and detailed gameplay mechanics, allowing them to recreate the tactical nuances of real matches. Featuring licensed clubs and players, users can enjoy authentic gameplay.

Furthermore, some games offer tournament-specific modes, allowing players to not only participate in matches but also relive key moments of the championship. As a result, games about the European Football Championship are becoming not just an entertainment product, but a real holiday for football fans, allowing them to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the tournament and test their skills on the virtual field.