EA Sports FC 25 has faced considerable backlash, prompting a significant gameplay overhaul. Criticisms extended beyond monetization practices to encompass technical issues and overall game mechanics.
To address these concerns, developers released a "Gameplay Refresh Update" featuring over 50 changes. Key improvements include:
- Overhauled Core Mechanics: Substantial adjustments to assists, shooting, goalkeeping, and defensive gameplay.
- Improved Defensive AI: Addressed frequent instances of defenders inexplicably catching up to attackers.
- Enhanced Offensive Flow: Streamlined ball movement and attack transitions.
- Reduced AI Interceptions: Decreased the frequency of unrealistic tackles and interceptions by the AI.
- Adjusted Crossing Effectiveness: Significantly lowered the success rate of crossing passes.
- Improved Player Positioning: Players now offer quicker support when playing in familiar roles.
- Refined Offside Detection: Enhanced accuracy of offside calls, particularly concerning AI offensive runs.
- Shooting Accuracy Tweaks: Minor improvements to shot accuracy for normal and aimed shots from outside the penalty area under standard conditions.
EA FC 25's initial reception was overwhelmingly negative, with only 36% positive reviews out of 474 player reviews at launch. Common complaints included perceived corporate greed, numerous bugs and crashes, and PlayStation controller recognition problems. Furthermore, the game's anti-cheat measures render it incompatible with the Steam Deck.