EA Sports FC 25 has had a gameplay overhaul

Electronic Arts' soccer simulators have long been under scrutiny, and EA Sports FC 25 is no exception. The criticisms extend beyond monetization concerns to the game's technical performance, prompting the developers to take action. In response, they've introduced a "Gameplay Refresh Update" that includes over 50 changes to enhance the game mechanics. These updates address core gameplay systems such as assists, shots, goalkeeper play, and defense strategies. For instance, common issues where defenders would unrealistically catch up to the ball carrier have been corrected, leading to smoother and more realistic gameplay during attacks. The update also reduces the frequency of reverse tackles and AI interceptions, and significantly diminishes the effectiveness of crossing passes. Moreover, players now offer quicker support when playing in familiar roles, and the accuracy of offside detection for AI-controlled offensive runs has been improved. Additionally, there are slight enhancements to the accuracy of normal and aimed shots taken from outside the penalty area under simple conditions.

Despite these efforts, the reception to EA Sports FC 25 has been largely negative, with only 36% of the 474 player reviews being positive upon release. The community has expressed frustration over what they perceive as Electronic Arts' greed, alongside numerous bugs and crashes that plague the game. Another point of contention is the game's difficulty in recognizing PlayStation controllers. Furthermore, the inclusion of an anti-cheat mechanism has made EA Sports FC 25 incompatible with the Steam Deck, adding to the list of grievances among the player base.