EA Sports FC 25 marks the end of an era and the beginning of something new for football video games and PC gaming. After parting ways with FIFA, EA Sports has taken complete ownership of its football franchise, rebranding it as EA Sports FC. With this newfound freedom, EA Sports has introduced changes that address some of the issues from previous FIFA games and aim to transform EA Sports FC 25 into a serious player in the growing esports market by mastering gaming and esports. It’s been over two weeks since FC 25 was released, and we’ve got enough experience to know if it can revolutionize the virtual football experience and we are ready to add our rundown to the pile of ES Sports FC 25 reviews.
Visuals: Visual Excellence, Familiar Foundations
EA Sports FC 25 retains the visual polish I expect from EA Sports’ titles. The game has a top-notch presentation, which isn’t surprising, considering it’s built on the Frostbite engine. I could immediately see more realistic player models with lifelike lighting, shadows, movements, and weather effects, and the rain stands out as visually stunning, creating a fantastic atmosphere. While the stadiums and crowds might look familiar, they’ve been updated with subtle details that bring them to life. Little enhancements like dynamic crowd reactions and more authentic team banners made it feel like I was watching a live football match rather than playing a game.
What struck me immediately is that EA has stayed true to the visual identity established in previous FIFA titles. This isn’t bad, as FIFA was often praised for its graphical fidelity. Still, I would have liked to see more significant visual upgrades, especially considering the rebranding.
EA Sports FC 25 Gameplay: Evolution Over Revolution
EA Sports FC 25 Gameplay builds on the solid foundation of its predecessors, focusing more on refinement than drastic changes. I immediately noticed that player movements are more fluid, and the animations have been improved to reduce the awkward, jerky transitions I often find in older FIFA games. The new tactical systems give me more control over how my team behaves, which is crucial, especially in critical moments.
One of the most notable improvements for me was the overhauled ball physics. Passes, shots, and deflections feel much more natural and unpredictable, truly mimicking real-world football. This makes every match feel unique, whether I’m playing against AI (Artificial Intelligence) or online opponents.
While some hardcore fans might have been hoping for a complete overhaul in match play, the incremental improvements here make a noticeable difference. EA Sports wanted to maintain the accessibility that made FIFA popular while enhancing the mechanics for those like me who crave a more profound, more realistic football experience.
Esports: A New Era or Same Old Story?
One of the most exciting aspects of EA Sports FC 25 is its potential in esports. The FIFA franchise has yet to succeed in becoming a prominent esports title. There are several reasons, most notably the lack of a clear competitive structure and significant prize pools. Now that EA Sports has complete control of the brand, I’m hopeful they’re positioning EA Sports FC 25 to succeed where FIFA failed.
Introducing the FC Pro League is a significant step in this direction. With new Open Cups and a $1 million World Championship, EA Sports FC 25 is making a serious play for the competitive gaming audience.
As an esports, the FC 25 can get featured in sportsbooks, and transcend gaming and reach casual sports fans. The timing of this may be perfect as one of the largest sports markets in the world, the United States, have only recently embraced what they call “soccer. There’s been an expansion of the American Major Soccer League (MLS), with new stadiums built which have enabled the league to set new records in terms of attendance and viewership. International football stars like Lionel Messi, Olivier Giroud, and Hugo Lloris have recently made the jump across the Atlantic to play in top MLS clubs. At the same time, sports betting has become legal in most states in the US and a popular pastime for sports fans and regular Americans alike. This can drive engagement for FC 25 esports through sports betting and reach millions of people that are not into regular gaming. Historically, the North American market rivals the international market for EA Sports, so if US gamers and sports fans embrace FC 25 it has a better chance to succeed as an esport.
However, there’s still work to be done. While EA Sports FC 25 offers improved mechanics and a more structured competitive scene, the franchise still has to prove it can sustain a successful esports ecosystem. The game needs consistent developer support, frequent content updates, and continued investment in its esports scene to succeed. This is the only way to avoid the pitfalls FIFA faced before.
Game Modes: Familiar but Refined
As a fan of the series, I felt right at home with the various game modes offered in EA Sports FC 25. Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and Pro Clubs return with slight refinements and new features.
Ultimate Team remains the franchise’s flagship mode, with tweaks designed to create a more balanced and engaging experience. Adding new ICONs and Heroes will excite collectors, but for me, the core gameplay loop remains mostly the same: build your dream squad, earn coins, and compete online.
In Career Mode, I noticed subtle improvements in AI decision-making, which made managing a team feel more rewarding. However, I still think there’s room for improvement in transfer negotiations and player development systems, as they feel a bit stagnant compared to other sports games on the market.
Pro Clubs, the community-driven mode where my friends and I can control individual players on the pitch, also returns with some minor improvements. The mode still fosters a great sense of teamwork, but it’s clear to me that EA Sports focused most of its attention on Ultimate Team and the competitive scene this year.
Sound: Keeping the Tradition Alive
If there’s one area where EA Sports never disappoints, it’s the soundtrack. EA Sports FC 25 has a fantastic mix of global artists, featuring tracks that set the perfect tone for casual play and high-stakes matches. From indie songs to mainstream hits, the music selection keeps the game feeling fresh during long play sessions.
The commentary is as sharp as ever, with familiar voices delivering engaging match analysis. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the familiar voices add to the overall authenticity of the experience, which I’ve always appreciated.
Verdict: A Promising Start to a New Chapter
EA Sports FC 25 might not be a revolutionary departure from FIFA, but to me, it represents a promising start to a new chapter for EA Sports’ football franchise. The game refines the best elements of its predecessors, offering smoother gameplay, improved presentation, and a deeper tactical system. While the esports potential is, for me, the most exciting aspect of the game’s future, EA Sports FC 25 still has some growing pains to overcome in its quest to become a dominant player in the esports world.
Integrating the FC Pro League and its connection to the sports betting ecosystem is, in my view, a step in the right direction. With the rise of esports betting, EA Sports FC 25 has the opportunity to attract a broader audience and solidify its place in both the competitive gaming and sports betting markets. Time will tell if EA Sports can fully capitalize on this opportunity, but the foundation they’ve built with EA Sports FC 25 is undeniably strong.
Whether you’re a casual player or an aspiring esports competitor like me, EA Sports FC 25 has something for everyone. It’s a solid football game with the potential for more, which is exactly what I hoped for from the first installment of this new era.
EA Sports FC 25 is available on Windows PC and popular video game consoles, such as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Visuals: 8/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Esports: 7/10
Game Modes: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Overall: 72/100
