Electronic Arts' soccer simulators, notably EA Sports FC 25, have been under fire for various reasons, extending beyond their monetization strategies to include concerns about their technical quality. Responding to this wave of criticism, the developers have rolled out a comprehensive "Gameplay Refresh Update" featuring over 50 modifications to enhance the game's mechanics. Key changes include:
- Significant adjustments to core gameplay systems such as assists, shots, goalkeeper play, and defense play.
- Resolution of common issues where defenders were unrealistically catching up to ball carriers.
- Enhanced fluidity in attacking play, making ball movement more intuitive.
- Reduced occurrence of reverse tackles and AI-driven interceptions.
- Decreased effectiveness of crossing passes to balance gameplay.
- Quicker player support when positioned in roles they are familiar with.
- Better offside detection for AI-controlled offensive runs.
- Slightly improved accuracy for normal and aimed shots from outside the penalty area under simple conditions.
Despite these efforts, the initial reception of EA FC 25 has been predominantly negative, with only 36% of the 474 player reviews at launch being positive. Critics have lambasted the game for what they perceive as Electronic Arts' greed, along with numerous bugs and crashes, and issues with PlayStation controller recognition.
Further complicating matters, the game's anti-cheat system renders it incompatible with the Steam Deck, limiting its accessibility to players who prefer this platform.
