When I play these titles year after year, I’m always asked the same type of questions. What could be so interesting about this new one? Isn’t it the same as last year? Don’t they slap a new name on it and send it out again? While some of these questions are warranted, the answers usually depend on what type of fan you are.
EA Sports FC 26 is, in many ways, the best of both worlds. Thanks to quality of life improvements and new gameplay presets, this year’s release is not only one of the best in some time, but the best option for both hardcore and casual fans alike. There’s a level of depth and experimentation that the experience allows, all while catering to the pick-up-and-play allure that brings everyone along for the ride.
That being said, FC 26 is also not without its flaws. Its gameplay is a massive strength, if you can get past the greedy Ultimate Team mode and new Season Pass.
Your Preset, Your Way
The biggest addition to EA Sports FC 26 is the collection of new gameplay presets. Players can choose between Competitive and Authentic presets, which change the general feel and pace of each match. The Competitive preset is admittedly still the standard or familiar EA Sports FC experience, with faster-paced gameplay and a more responsive feel.
The Authentic preset slows things down even further for a more realistic approach, where tactical advantages and well-timed plays generally prevail. It really does apply to every aspect of the gameplay, and you can feel it. Passes need to be completed with the right power, positioning, and the first touch is key. You’ll even need to time your passes and work a little harder to get teammates in advantageous situations.
While this latter preset is closer to the pacing and action that you would see during a live match, I’m a fan of this approach to versatility based on player skill and confidence, but also authenticity. It’s also worth noting that you can even jump in and fine-tune these presets for a custom approach, even down to how much the wind can affect passes. The modes themselves already give players an impressive amount of control, so it’s nice to see the gameplay following suit.
Unfortunately, however, the Authentic preset is only available in offline modes, an understandable attempt to keep all online interactions on a level playing field. But at the same time, it also means that you can’t even use this preset in Ultimate Team, where you’re playing in single-player matches.
Both player and keeper AI also feel much smarter, snappier and responsive this year, while dribbling and passes feel that much nicer, thanks to some new and realistic player animations and motion capture. It all looks and runs great, too, which is admittedly a standard for each entry as of late.
The Art of Winning
There are also plenty of ways to engage with FC 26, with a long list of returning modes, some of which have been given some neat improvements. Ultimate Team has been given the most love, with new Live Events that update over the course of the year, and a new Challengers competition that allows players to partake in matches with higher stakes. Knockout tournaments are still here, but I must admit, it’s still the most robust mode, be it against other players online or on your own as you grind (or pay) for the best players.
Clubs might have gotten the least amount of love here, but the new Archetypes are a nice addition. Structurally, the mode itself remains the same; players can now mould the game and attributes based on a bunch of players, both past and present. Like any competitive mode based around player statistics, we’ll all get around to using the same Archetype, but it’s better than nothing, and a great mode to jump on with friends.
Player and Manager Career modes also return, with the former mode bringing the Archetypes to offline play, and the latter mode bringing Unexpected Events to the fold, which can make your seasdon a little tougher. For example, players can experience low morale or lose confidence altogether, prompting you to adjust your squad on the fly and help players get back in tip-top shape, both physically and mentally.
Kick-Off is packed with customisation options for those looking for a quick game, while Rush brings back the chaotic fun we’ve had for a few years now. I’m glad that both Competitive and Authentic modes apply here, as they’re great for getting the hang of the new feel and to help sharpen skills. That being said, they’ll feel very familiar to returning fans.
More Money, More Problems
We’ve been here before, so I’ll try my best to keep this short and sweet. EA Sports FC 26 wants even more of your money. Sure, Ultimate Team, for as robust and engaging as it can be, is still the same money pit that it’s been for the longest time. But on the back of last year’s introduction of a Season Pass in EA Sports FC 25 late in the game, it’s now here at launch in FC 26, and it’s much worse. Like any other season pass in something like Call of Duty or Fortnite, players will earn a bunch of free rewards or access to rewards that can then be purchased with in-game currency.
The only issue here is that as you’re progressing through this Season Pass, you’re seeing more than ever, locked behind a paywall. Even then, the things you’re able to buy with XP after unlocking them are so expensive that you’re likely going to be spending hours in either Career mode or simply giving up and paying for them with your own cash. It’s a tried and tested formula that sees developer and publisher Electronic Arts owning your money, your time or both.
Given that there are iconic players to add into your Manager modes, this double-edged sword hurts that much more, because the game itself is actually more robust and versatile than ever when it comes to additional content, the majority of which comes at an additional cost. A hard pill to swallow that’s made much harder in FC 26.
Final Thoughts
Overall, EA Sports FC 26 is a great football game that is strongly defined by its new gameplay presets, which help simplify or deepen things depending on your experience and intentions.
While it looks and plays great, the new Season Pass and greedy Ultimate Team modes demand more cash (or time) from you than ever before, dampening the experience long term. It’s a shift in the right direction at its core, if you can keep your wallet tucked away.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Competitive and Authentic modes add a huge boost to overall gameplay; Ultimate Team is busier than ever; New Archetypes system feels great
Lowlights: Brutal Season Pass and Ultimate Team still want your money
Developer: EA Romania, EA Vancouver
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 Pro with a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
