EA Sports' famed football franchise returns as FC 25 with a swag of changes, new features and gameplay improvements.
From new five-a-side modes, to tactical overhauls and the ability to deliberately foul your opponent - FC 25 promises to be a step-up from its previous iteration.
The Sporting News has all the latest details on changes to the game.
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EA Sports FC 25 new features and gameplay
Rush replaces Volta
Rush is a new five-vs.-five mode that replaces the original five-a-side Volta - that has featured in the past few games.
It will be playable across four different game modes - Kickoff, Ultimate Team, Clubs and Career Mode.
Rush matches last seven minutes in total, with two minutes and twenty seconds of golden goal played if matches are tied, with a penalty shootout to decide if the game is still locked.
Changes from Volta include:
- Offsides happening in the final third of the pitch
- Kickoffs having a Rocket League feel to them
- No red cards but blue cards for serious fouls that mean a one-minute sin bin
- Two yellow cards equaling one blue card
- Penalties being taken in a hockey style instead of a traditional shot from the spot
🚨 Set Pieces in FC 25 Rush 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VgQlfXLWgw
— FGZ ⚽️🎮 (@FGZNews) July 29, 2024
FC IQ - the tactical system upgrade
A long overdue overhaul of the tactical system has occurred in FC 25, with following changes:
- 31 player roles will feature, with that number upgraded to 50 as the game progresses
- Positions CF, RWB, LWB have been removed but can still be performed. For example, using full backs with a certain role replicates wing backs.
- More formation creation and experimentation with player roles allowing for overloads
- The commentary system within the game will react to any tactical changes made in the match
Career Mode additions
As is in every edition of FC/FIFA, Career Mode has undergone significant upgrades and additions including:
- The ability to manage women's teams with five major leagues and the women's Champions League
- Starting a player career as a select icon, which include Andrea Pirlo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Thierry Henry and Kelly Smith
- 90 countries have been added to scouting making a total of 160
- Players can be trained to become better at certain roles that relate to their position
- Youth development players can play in rush matches against other youth teams
- Fabrizio Romano features as part of the transfer system
Deliberate fouling
In what looms as controversial gameplay addition, players can deliberately foul their opposition to stop the flow of the game.
Doing this results in an automatic yellow card to the offending in-game player so players must be careful to not deliberately foul with an already-carded player.
But there is concern the feature could be exploited in online play - imagine if you are through on goal to win the game and a foul happens off the ball to deny your chance?
First look on Professional fouls ✅
— Fut Sheriff (@FutSheriff) August 6, 2024
Imagine this during Champs 😭#fc25
https://t.co/vzy2WyEUVs
EA Sports FC 25 release date: When does FC 25 come out?
EA Sports FC 25 standard version will be released worldwide to the general public on September 27.
This is around about the usual date the game is released annually since its inception.
It is possible to play the game early but conditions need to be met (see below).
EA Sports FC 25 early access: Can I play the game pre-release date?
It is possible to get your hands on EA Sports FC 25 prior to the September 27 general public release.
If you purchase the FC 25 Ultimate Edition, you can play the game on September 20 - seven days before the standard game is available.
However, the Ultimate Edition costs significantly more than the standard edition.
EA Play members will also be granted a free trial of the game 10 hours before the standard edition is released.
What platforms will EA Sports FC be available on?
EA Sports FC 25 will be available to buy on six platforms - PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch.