Electronic Arts' soccer simulators have long been under scrutiny, not only for their monetization practices but also for their technical performance. The latest installment, EA Sports FC 25, has faced such intense criticism that the developers have taken decisive action with a "Gameplay Refresh Update." This update encompasses over 50 modifications aimed at enhancing the game mechanics, including:
- Significant improvements to core gameplay systems like assists, shots, goalkeeper performance, and defensive strategies.
- Addressing frequent issues where defenders unrealistically catch up to ball carriers.
- Enhancing the fluidity of attacking play to make ball movement smoother.
- Reducing the occurrence of reverse tackles and AI interceptions.
- Decreasing the effectiveness of crossing passes.
- Ensuring players provide quicker support when playing in familiar positions.
- Improving offside detection for AI-controlled players during offensive runs.
- Slightly boosting the accuracy of regular and aimed shots from outside the penalty area under simple conditions.
Despite these efforts, the initial reception of EA FC 25 was overwhelmingly negative, with only 36% of the 474 player reviews on release being positive. The community's dissatisfaction stems from multiple issues, including perceived greed from Electronic Arts, numerous bugs and crashes, and difficulties in recognizing PlayStation controllers.
Moreover, the game's incompatibility with the Steam Deck due to its anti-cheat system has further frustrated players, highlighting ongoing technical challenges that EA must address to regain the trust and satisfaction of its gaming community.
