EA Sports FC 25, which is gearing up for a September 27 launch ( with early access starting on September 20 for those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition ), shows that authenticity and style are hallmarks of the game. I had the opportunity to test the studs of this most recent footballing signing, its new military options, and the alluringly new Rush 5v5 experience, while spending some time on its immaculate new pitch.
The paint expected of EA Sports FC is totally existing, with some modifications made to the TV-style display, as well as the design of its fits. More often, the referee and person point-of-view camera is used, providing an up-close and first-person view on goals. There are wonderful little additional in-game details like increased graphics on the players ‘ shirts, and the participant walkouts have also returned to pre-match scenes.
There are also some timeless components that have survived. The built-in presenter still captures player whistles and the oh-so-satisfying rustle of the basketball hitting the net, and the DualSense controller’s feedback is flexible enough to prevent overreacting with fouls and shots.
Further to that, several clubs keep some of their show slogans, whether it’s Manchester City’s Blue Moon, I’m Forever Blowing Bubble for West Ham ( and yes, the actual bubble floating around the ball have returned, to ) or Allez, Allez, Allez from the holds of Villa Park.
However, the emphasis on data is as remarkable as always, with on-pitch layers popping up that show details like shots taken inside and outside the box and who are the players who are the most exhausted. As previously, they remain helpful and – most notably – unobtrusive to the action.
FC IQ, which addresses the military and moment-to-moment parts of the match, is one of the main points Ep is highlighting in Ep Sports FC 25. Each player has a unique on- and off-the-ball behavior, with different positions having different rules for their behavior depending on their performance. In brief, it’s even more important to understand a person’s abilities. So you might have a great goalie, but placing them in a false 9 status only serves to tarnish their effectiveness.
Which means there’s a greater emphasis on military variety. Even more crucial is to make sure you’re easily crafting strategies that work for your players and their experience with the position you’ve given them, easily indicated with a detailed break of each, and a + signifying skills and + signifying that they are world course.
Therefore, military suggestions and pre-sets are now available for use during useless ball pauses or replays and celebrations to stay current with an ever-changing game. Players move near to their fresh positions in real time, with a zoomed-in’ whiteboard’ demo available to see how your team’s design is affected.
Making quickfire manual or suggested substitutions and strategies in the game is very simple, with both my changes indicating obvious changes both visually and visually, and even the match commentators making significant adjustments. In EA Sports FC 25, defensive AI is less necessary, making midfield transitions even more crucial and costly.
Traditional game modes, including the world-predominating Ultimate Team and the intense Player and Manager Career modes, are all present, including the match-stipulation changing House Rules and the Cup Finals. The latter two are also now available for the women’s teams too, with the WSL, NWSL, D1 Féminine, Liga F and Frauen-Bundesliga all playable, as well as the women’s Champions League.
It’s an important and welcome addition to EA Sports FC, bringing valuable parity across all modes, with the level of detail afforded in the men’s league managers, financial models, player likeness and more being given to the women’s options.
The 5v5 Rush experience, which is integrated across all core game modes, is another significant addition to EA Sports FC 25. I can see this becoming a fan favorite for those looking for a quick kickabout with a different level of pomp and flavor. Essentially professional five-a-side football with polished, neon green-hued presentation and even more energetic commentators, Rush is EA Sports FC, arcade style.
In Kick off, you select a squad from your favorite team, place them on a smaller pitch, and aim for goals. You will be given a completely different kick off experience where all players race to the ball when it is launched from the side of the pitch in order to reflect these changes to the norm. There are no red cards; instead, a blue card that causes the player to receive a one-minute off-pitch punishment. Additionally, offsides are unique because they are called from the new attacking third line rather than starting from the halfway line. You still have access to all of your skills and methods from side one, aside from that. However, the gameplay is so fast, compact and intense that pulling them off is trickier … and thus more rewarding.
Everything moves at a refreshingly quick and engaging pace and is kept to goals rather than highlights. It’s reminiscent of playground ‘ attack, attack, attack ‘ football where you can go solo instead of passing it around your team, but where’s the fun in that? Not to mention that creating quick, efficient team movements across smaller pitch sizes is even more satisfying…
The Rush experience might be an instant classic with some like-minded friends, but there will be even more in EA Sports FC 25’s locker that you can unleash on the field when it all starts later this month on September 27. You can play via Ultimate Team, Clubs, Kick Off, and Career mode.