Every autumn, fans of the iconic football simulator, formerly known as FIFA, face a familiar dilemma: to purchase the latest edition or not. This year is no exception as Electronic Arts, through its Canadian and Romanian divisions, has released EA Sports FC 26, a continuation of its highly successful franchise. In 2021, FIFA accounted for 29% of EA’s total revenue, though recent figures are elusive. Despite a potential decline in this share, income from in-game purchases, particularly within EA Sports FC, remains the publisher’s largest profit source.
The release of a new EA Sports FC title prompts players to consider whether to upgrade. For those deeply invested in the online Ultimate Team mode, the decision is often made in advance, with many opting for early access. However, players like myself, who prefer offline modes such as Seasons or playing with friends, may choose to skip yearly updates. This year, I played the game on PlayStation 5, bypassing FC 25 and continuing with FC 24.
The Controversy of In-Game Purchases
Each year, players face the task of upgrading their team rosters, either by dedicating time or purchasing in-game currency and loot boxes. This cycle of starting anew with each game version has drawn criticism for its resemblance to gambling and potentially misleading advertising. Despite these concerns, EA has thus far evaded fines or sanctions from US and European legislators, although attempts to impose age restrictions have been made. In the Netherlands, EA successfully defended its practices in the Court of Appeal.
New Features and Gameplay Improvements
EA Sports FC 26 promises numerous enhancements in graphics, physics, and gameplay. Notably, the introduction of two distinct modes—Competitive and Authentic—caters to different player preferences. Competitive mode offers a fast-paced, high-scoring experience, while Authentic mode aims to replicate real-life football dynamics. However, Authentic mode is limited to career and offline play, leaving online matches to the Competitive mode.
Initial feedback suggests that the demand for Authentic mode warranted its inclusion, though its long-term popularity remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the game exhibits minor glitches, such as recurring system messages and inaccurate player statistics during matches. EA claims improvements in mechanics like first touch control, acceleration, and passing, while also enhancing realism by limiting unrealistic passes and receptions.
EA Sports FC 26 has improved goalkeeper mechanics, with more realistic ball bounces. However, some rebounds occur at unrealistic distances, detracting from the intended realism.
Play Styles have also evolved, requiring players to possess specific skills for effective body play and ball coverage. The removal of Time Finishing shifts double-clicking back to a low kick, including the Finess low kick with R1.
Gameplay Experience and Challenges
The gameplay experience in EA Sports FC 26 reflects many of the advertised changes. The speed of the ball in Competitive mode is immediately noticeable, with powerful shots often overwhelming goalkeepers. Defending has become more challenging, aligning with my playstyle of outscoring opponents rather than relying on defense. Despite a positive win/loss record in FC 24, defending in FC 26 remains a struggle, frequently resulting in high-scoring matches.
The game continues to favor players adept at ball control and dribbling, posing challenges for those less skilled in these areas. While combinations and passing remain integral, tackling has become more difficult, often leading to goals from free zones.
Anticipation surrounds the first major update, as EA’s history suggests potential gameplay balance adjustments. Past updates have shifted focus towards player speed and counterattacks, with subsequent patches restoring balance.
Visual and Non-Gameplay Elements
Beyond gameplay, EA Sports FC 26 introduces a new main font, which some players find visually unappealing. While animations have improved in smoothness and reduced lag, the appearance of the pitch has changed, not necessarily for the better. Player likenesses vary, with some characters resembling their real-life counterparts more closely than others.
In conclusion, EA Sports FC 26 delivers a familiar experience, beloved and criticized by fans alike. For players not engaged in online modes like Ultimate Team, upgrading may hold little appeal. Personally, I plan to continue with FC 24 until further updates to FC 26, hoping for improvements in defense mechanics. This may also be an opportunity to explore other gaming experiences that await my attention.
