EA Sports FC 26

While it splits its gameplay in two with competitive online and the possibility of realistic (slower and animated) offline, the ex-FIFA won't calm players' frustrations. The reasons are the rivers of scorelines and scenarios still too much in favor of attacking dribblers, ordeals for defenders or AI goalkeepers. Among the satisfactions, we will still note the accomplished Manager Career mode with Live careers to prolong the fun, even if the lack of inspiration and renewal in the cinematics or licenses will weigh on the regulars. With the potential future competition from FIFA for the World Cup or Take-Two on the football game scene, not to mention a Football Manager 26 that promises to be Dantesque, EA FC will have to reinvent itself or go further to regain momentum in the years to come.

Real talk, this entry won’t convert anyone tiring of EA’s approach to the world’s favorite sport, and longtime fans will likely feel the same frustrations they’ve felt for years. However, for anyone who still finds joy in a well-timed through ball or a diving header in extra time, it can deliver a good experience. It captures enough of football’s rhythm to be a good purchase for dedicated fans, but the execution just isn’t as sharp as I expected at this point.