EAFC 25 Review – On The Attack

The EAFC era is in full swing, and with EA Sports’ latest football title, EAFC 25, the series is finally starting to find its stride. Over the last seven iterations, the developers have struggled to produce a suitable title that appeased the fans of Pro Clubs, Manager, and Play Career mode. For years, it was apparent that EA Sports’ main focus was its lucrative FIFA Ultimate Team mode. While the mode has continued to have massive success and popularity, it promotes predatory microtransactions through a pay-to-win model.

However, with EAFC 25, the developers are starting to show a shift of focus, which gives me reason to believe there’s more to come in the future. This year’s game features a new tactics system, a Volta Football replacement, and many new additions that improve every mode. However, is this enough to convince a cynical FIFA fan like me that the series is making a change for the better?

Find out in our SGO review of EA Sports FC 25.

EAFC 25 Review

Presentation

Whether it’s Madden, F1, or NHL, EA Sports always nails the presentation in its sports games, and EAFC 25 is no different. While I could gush over the perfectly presented English Premier League broadcast package, I would rather discuss more minor details that EA Sports has nailed this year.

Players resemble their real-life counterparts almost perfectly, from their face scans to their body types. This year, the developers scanned around 1800 players to resemble footballers’ real-life body types, which makes such a massive difference in appearance on the pitch. Players like Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and even Jousha Zirkzee are recognizable anywhere on the field.

Other small details include water falling from the net after a ball goes in during a rainy match and lifelike jersey movements when players are running and making tackles.

In addition, there is a new commentary team, so fans will either hear the returning Derek Rae and Stewart Robson or the new team of Guy Mowbray and Sue Smith. I like the latest commentary. It’s refreshing, and Sue Smith gives an excellent tactical analysis that fits in with this year’s FC IQ theme. However, I hate the commentary in the new rush mode, but more on that later.

Complementing the new commentary is the fantastic audio work that the game provides for the player. Again, EAFC is amazing at recreating a football atmosphere; whether it is passionate chants from the crowd, the constant barking of orders from the sidelines, or a loud appeal for a penalty from the fans, EA Sports always sets the scene.

Gameplay

FC IQ – Tactics Overall

FC IQ is EAFC 25‘s new real-world data-driven tactical system that affects the gameplay in all areas. At its core, FC IQ modernizes players’ roles on the virtual pitch, and it is flexible enough that fans can create their own tactics to fit their style.

Player Roles

New Player Roles are at the heart of this feature. For example, players like Diogo Dalot and Marc Cucurella can move into the middle of the field and play a new role called a “false back.”

This means full-backs will move into the midfield and contribute to the build-up of an attack. Another new Role is the “half winger,” where midfield players occupy the wings and distribute from more expansive areas. All the new roles have strengths and weaknesses, and you need to adjust to find the sweet spot you are looking for to produce the best results.

Watching your tactics unfold on the pitch and observing how your players operate in their set roles makes Player Roles unique in EAFC 25.

Again, this year, EA Sports has introduced many new animations that improve the gameplay. I’ve been impressed with the new tackling animations added to the game. It seems like every year, there are more ways to tackle your opponent and intercept the ball.

Besides the addition of FC IQ and the increased number of animations, the gameplay has mostly stayed the same. Pacey players still have an advantage, and the game’s overall speed is hectic at times, unless you play on simulation settings, which is slower and more akin to what you see on a real matchday.

However, EAFC 25‘s gameplay is as smooth as ever, and you only really appreciate it once you play other football titles like Strikerz Inc.’s UFL, where players can feel like robots stuck in sand. So, the importance of adding another couple of thousand animations to EAFC shouldn’t be overlooked.

Game Modes

RUSH

Let’s start with Rush. This mode has replaced Volta Football, which needed to go due to its lack of popularity with fans and EA Sports’ apparent desperation to lach the mode onto Pro Clubs for some relevance.

Rush is a 7-minute 5v5 match in which players battle it out. Overall, I like this mode. It’s better than Volta and has loads of potential. It’s intense, fast-paced, and pure fun.

Rush shines the most in Pro Clubs, where you and three of your friends try to work cohesively to avoid getting hammered 10-1. It takes a lot of communication, understanding, and skill. Rush also has a fancy Nike arena that gives off a Volta vibe, so it still feels like a separate experience from a traditional match.

The only thing I hate about this mode is the awful commentary. The commentator constantly screams, “GOAL!” and not in an iconic way. He also uses terrible metaphors like “cold as the bathroom floor. ” That’s just awful writing.

Career Mode

Manager mode has received some new features that I’m excited about, and with the additions of women’s football, there are more ways to play EAFC’s flagship mode.

As I stated before, Rush and FC IQ have been implemented into multiple modes to improve the overall player experience.

In Manager mode, fans can compete in youth player tournaments played in a 5v5 Rush style. Playing in youth tournaments not only gives you a glimpse at players before you promote them to the senior team but also helps them develop. This was a massive feature for me when EA Sports announced it.

Of course, this isn’t an overhaul of the youth system, but it’s an improvement to a feature that hasn’t been touched in years. In addition to youth tournaments, scouting youth players is more expansive, thanks to the addition of FC IQ.

Fans can decide what specific type of player they want to scout, whether that is a CAM who is a half-winger or a ball-playing CB. These choices will shape your club’s future, and now that fans can recruit youth players younger than 15 years old, it expands the duration of your play-through.

Lastly, Manager Career has received a new look regarding the menus and features world-renown football insider Fabrizio Romano on your news feed. So, that’s cool.

Player Career

Player Career receives the fewest new features every year, and this year is no different. There are new starting points at the beginning of every play-through that gives you buffs and debuffs.

In addition, player icons are now available in the mode. So, fans can choose from a small list of legendary footballers to control. I opted for David Beckham’s return to Manchester United. While this feature is a nice touch, I would like to see it expanded upon next year.

Pro Clubs

Similar to Career mode, Pro Clubs got a new makeover and some new features to spice up this year’s mode. Rush makes its debut in Pro Clubs, and as I said earlier, it’s loads of fun with friends, and you can compete for new rewards.

Facilities are a new way to increase your club’s attributes before matches. Your club is given a spending budget, which increases as you progress through the rankings. Players can spend money on new facilities that increase their squad’s attributes and can be upgraded. Want to improve your team’s strength? Upgrade your weight room.

In addition, relegation returns to Clubs after a year’s hiatus, and new customization options, like half sleeves, are available.

All these new features, FC IQ integrated, and new PlayStyles make Clubs another fun mode to dive into. It’s my favorite mode, and I hope it continues growing.

Ultimate Team

Lastly, we have Ultimate Team. This year, EAFC‘s card-based mode took full advantage of RUSH with its unique objectives and points system. In addition, FC IQ ensures that your Ultimate Team is suited to your playstyle.

Unfortunately, once again, I say it every year: I can’t recommend this mode due to its pay-to-win model.

Verdict

EAFC 25 reminds us there is hope for the series after the dreaded end to the FIFA franchise and last year’s mediocre debut of EAFC.

FC IQ and Rush are the standout features integrated into every mode and offer different experiences in each one. Each game mode has something new for fans to enjoy, and the gameplay is still smooth, with a slight improvement. This is not a perfect game by any means, but this is better than the last seven years, and hopefully, EA Sports can continue to improve in its new era of football games.