EA Sports FC 25 is a football video game published by EA Sports. It is the second installment in the EA Sports FC series and the 32nd overall installment of EA Sports’ football simulation games. The game was developed by EA Sports and was released worldwide on 27 September 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Users who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition of the game were able to play it on 20 September 2024.
This instalment introduces several features aimed at enhancing gameplay and player engagement, according to EA developers. 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, while the Standard Edition cover features Jude Bellingham alone.
New features
FC IQ
A 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.
Player roles
The 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.
Goalkeeper PlayStyles
New gameplay mechanics for goalkeepers have been added, providing more depth to the position and allowing for varied styles of play. Goalkeepers are also allowed outfield Playstyles, enhancing the game further.
5v5 Rush Mode
Players 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.
Competitions
The UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League return.
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.
The Coupe de France is also fully licensed in the game.
Licenses
Most 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. Serie A clubs Roma and Napoli return after four and two years respectively since their last appearances in FIFA 20 and FIFA 22. 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.
Ultimate Team
Ahead 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 and each associated with a league for team chemistry purposes. All are new Heroes with the exception of Yaya Touré. 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.
Career Mode
FC 25 Career Mode offers players an immersive experience as they step into the shoes of a football club manager, guiding their team through various seasons. Players can make crucial decisions regarding player transfers, training regimens, and tactics, while also managing the club’s finances and building a dedicated fan base. The mode features realistic player development, where young talents can be nurtured into stars, and the dynamic nature of rivalries and board expectations adds depth to the challenge. With each match, the pressure of achieving success mounts, making for an engaging journey filled with triumphs and setbacks, as players strive to lead their club to glory.
FC 25 Showcase
Ea Sports launched its preview version of FC 25 for their new users to try out. This version retained Kick Off, Rush mode.
Reception
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. Additionally, 68% of critics recommended the game, according to OpenCritic.
It won the award for “Best Sports / Racing Game” at The Game Awards 2024, as well as received a nomination for “Sports Game of the Year” at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
