EA Sports FC 25 is a football video game published by EA Sports. It is the second instalment in the EA Sports FC series and the 32nd overall instalment of EA Sports' football simulation games. The game was developed by EA Sports and was released worldwide on 27 September 2024 for Nintendo Switch,[1] PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[2][3] Users who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition of the game were able to play it on 20 September 2024.
| EA Sports FC 25 | |
|---|---|
 Ultimate edition official cover | |
| Developer(s) | EA Vancouver EA Romania |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Series | EA Sports FC |
| Engine | Frostbite |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 27 September 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
This instalment introduces several features aimed at enhancing gameplay and player engagement, according to EA developers.[4][5] The Ultimate Edition cover features football players Gianluigi Buffon, Aitana Bonmatí, Jude Bellingham, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham in a room filled with trophies they have won, symbolising their careers,[6] while the Standard Edition cover features Jude Bellingham alone.[7]
New features
editFC IQ
editA comprehensive overhaul of the tactical system, allowing players to influence team strategies more effectively. It includes modernised team tactics and smarter AI for teammates, enabling a more dynamic gameplay experience. Players can now emulate the tactics of famous managers, adapting formations fluidly during matches.[8]
Player roles
editThe game introduces distinct roles for players, enhancing how they fit into team strategies. This feature is designed to ensure that players are utilised effectively according to their strengths, making team composition more critical than ever.[9][10]
Goalkeeper PlayStyles
editNew gameplay mechanics for goalkeepers have been added, providing more depth to the position and allowing for varied styles of play.[11][12]
5v5 Rush Mode
editPlayers can team up with friends in a new 5v5 mode, which adds a fresh competitive element to the game. This mode replaces VOLTA, which last appeared on EA Sports FC 24.[13][14]
Competitions
editThe UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women's Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League return.[15]
The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer and Ligue 1 are amongst the 38 different playable leagues, both men's and women's.[16]
The Coupe de France is also fully licensed in the game.
Licenses
editThe majority of clubs from FC 24 return, except Serie A clubs Inter Milan, SS Lazio, Atalanta and AC Milan, which are named Lombardia FC, Latium, Bergamo Calcio and Milano FC, respectively, as well as the Belgium national team, and the Canada women's national team, whom EA lost the licenses to.[17][18] Serie A clubs Roma and Napoli return after four and two years respectively since their last appearances in FIFA 20 and FIFA 22.[19][20] In addition, the Greek club and 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League champions Olympiacos, who last appeared in FIFA 22, return, as well as 11 time Azerbaijan Premier League champions Qarabag, who do not appeared in any previous FIFA/FC game. The Finland women's national team makes their debut in the FC series.
Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona play in generic stadiums, having done so since FIFA 20 and FIFA 17 respectively, as both clubs' stadiums are exclusive to KONAMI's eFootball.[21]
Ultimate Team
editAhead of the launch, EA Sports announced the members of a launch set of Heroes – usable cards for retired footballers and/or depicting special moments, with comic book art styles created by Marvel and each associated with a league for team chemistry purposes.[22] All are new Heroes with the exception of Yaya Touré.[23] Similarly, Icons (usable cards for retired footballers, depicting their rating at their peak; styled "ICONs" in the game), are returning to Ultimate Team, only associated with their nations for chemistry purposes. The eight new Icons are Gianluigi Buffon, Gareth Bale, Lotta Schelin, Julie Foudy, Lilian Thuram, Nadine Angerer, Aya Miyama, and Marinette Pichon.[24]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PS5) 77/100[25] (XSXS) 70/100[26] |
| OpenCritic | 78%[27] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| GamesRadar+ | 4/5[28] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 4.5/5[29] |
| IGN | 6/10[30] |
| Shacknews | 6/10[31] |
| TechRadar | 4.5/5[32] |
| The Guardian | 4/5[33] |
| Video Games Chronicle | 4/5[34] |
EA Sports FC 25 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for the PlayStation 5 version and "mixed or average" for the Xbox Series X/S version, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[25][26] Additionally, 68% of critics recommended the game, according to OpenCritic.[27]
It was nominated for "Best Sports / Racing Game" at The Game Awards 2024.[35]
References
edit- ^ Brian (25 July 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 will be released on Switch". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "EA Sports FC 25: Release date, price, consoles, pre-order details, trailer, cover & all you need to know | Goal.com Ghana". www.goal.com. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Will EA Sports FC 25 be on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One?". 90min.com. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Ojeda, Julian (17 July 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 Introduces New Gameplay Innovations". ClutchPoints. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Callen, CMG (18 July 2024). "EA SPORTS FC 25 COMMUNITY UPDATE: EXCITING ENHANCEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS". checkmategaming.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (15 July 2024). "FC 25 Ultimate Edition Cover Features Jude Bellingham, David Beckham, and More Soccer Stars". IGN Africa. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Jude Bellingham named as FC 25 cover star". ESPN.com. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "EA FC 25 FC IQ Custom Tactics explained and reviewed". Team Gullit. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Barton, Lewis (29 July 2024). "EA FC 25 Rush explained – how to play, available game modes, and 1v1 penalties". The Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Barton, Lewis (22 July 2024). "EA FC 25 tactics – every Player Role and matching position in FC IQ". The Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ FIFPlay. "FC 25 PlayStyles". FIFPlay. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "EA SPORTS FC™ 25: Enhancing Goalkeeping with New PlayStyles and Mechanics". Whatsgaming. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "🎥 EA Sports previews new 5v5 'Rush' mode coming to FC 25 🎮". OneFootball. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "EA Comes FC 25 Gets New 5v5 Rush Mode: Everything You Need to Know". PassionateGeekz. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "EA FC 25 Licensed leagues and competitions". Readwrite.
- ^ "FC 25 Leagues". 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Why Inter and AC Milan aren't featured in EAFC 25". World Soccer Talk. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Barton, Lewis (30 July 2024). "EA FC 25 – All 40 confirmed leagues you can use in the new EA Sports FC game". The Mirror. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "AS Roma and EA SPORTS™ FC announce exclusive, multi-year partnership". AS Roma. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Cappiello, Matteo (23 July 2024). "Ea Sports™ FC and SSC Napoli announce exclusive, multi-year partnership". SSC Napoli. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "All FIFA 20 Stadiums Revealed - No Camp Nou, Allianz Arena & Juventus Stadium". Footy Headlines. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "EA SPORTS FC™ 25 Football Ultimate Team™ Heroes - Official Site". EA Sports. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Yaya Touré EA Sports FC 24 Base Hero". Futbin. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ JUNI (25 August 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 - 8 new Icons added to the Ultimate Team". Fut.Wiki. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ a b "EA Sports FC 25 (PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b "EA Sports FC 25 (Xbox Series X Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b "EA Sports FC 25 Reviews". OpenCritic. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Ben (25 September 2024). "EA FC 25 review: "Highly playable, yet naggingly familiar"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Wells, Cory (24 September 2024). "Review: EA Sports FC 25". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Robert (27 September 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 Review". GIN. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ McMahon, Andrew (24 September 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 review: Not an ideal role model". Shacknews. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Metz, Alex (26 September 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 review — have we reached peak football sim?". TechRadar. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (26 September 2024). "EA Sports FC 25 review — taking graceful advantage of open gaming goal". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Middler, Jordan (27 September 2024). "Review: EA Sports FC 25 adds the most vital new mode since Ultimate Team". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Jackson, Destiny (18 November 2024). "The Game Award Nominations: 'Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' Slices Its Way To Victory With Seven Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 18 November 2024.