EA Sports FC 25: Major Gameplay Overhaul Revealed

Electronic Arts' soccer simulators have often been under scrutiny, and not just for their monetization strategies; their technical performance has also been a point of contention. The latest installment, EA Sports FC 25, has faced such significant backlash that the developers have taken decisive action. They've introduced a "Gameplay Refresh Update" that encompasses over 50 modifications to the game's mechanics. These changes aim to enhance the overall player experience and address many of the community's grievances. Here's a breakdown of some key updates:

• Significant revisions to core gameplay elements such as assists, shots, goalkeeper performance, and defensive strategies.
• Rectified frequent scenarios where defenders unnaturally caught up with ball carriers.
• Enhanced fluidity in attacking moves, making ball movement more intuitive.
• Decreased occurrences of reverse tackles and AI-driven interceptions.
• Significantly lowered the success rate of crossing passes.
• Improved player responsiveness when positioned in roles they are accustomed to.
• Better offside detection for AI-controlled offensive runs.
• Slightly increased accuracy for regular and aimed shots from outside the penalty area under straightforward conditions.

Despite these efforts, the initial reception of EA FC 25 has been lukewarm at best. Only 36% of the 474 player reviews at launch were positive, indicating a predominantly negative sentiment. Players have voiced frustrations over what they perceive as Electronic Arts' greed, alongside numerous bugs, crashes, and issues with PlayStation controller recognition.

Moreover, the game's anti-cheat system has rendered it incompatible with the Steam Deck, further limiting its accessibility to a segment of the gaming community.