EA SPORTS FC™ 26
" Realistic sports simulation with skill-based defending and improved passing but plagued by bugs and lag "
EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Review
EA SPORTS FC™ 26 has received a highly polarized reception, with a nearly even split between positive and negative reviews. Many players express deep frustration, citing the game as a near-identical copy of its predecessor with minimal meaningful improvements. Core gameplay mechanics, especially defending and AI behavior, are criticized for being clunky, unrealistic, and outdated. Technical issues plague the PC version, including frequent crashes, controller input lag, and poor optimization, severely impacting playability.
On the positive side, some users appreciate subtle gameplay refinements, such as more skill-based defending and smoother passing. The UI is noted as slightly improved by a minority, and Career Mode retains some appeal despite bugs. However, the overwhelming consensus is that the game feels like a cash grab with unaddressed bugs, intrusive microtransactions, and no substantial innovation. Many players regret their purchase and warn others to avoid it or wait for price drops.
Highlights
The gameplay improvements around manual defending and passing responsiveness are occasionally praised.
Some players find Career Mode enjoyable and note slight UI enhancements.
Graphics and animations remain decent, maintaining the franchise's visual appeal.
Longtime fans acknowledge the game as the only football simulator available, with some moments of fun despite flaws.
Criticisms
Widespread technical problems on PC include crashes, input lag, controller disconnects, and severe optimization issues.
Gameplay is criticized for unrealistic AI, poor defending mechanics, scripting, and recycled animations.
The game is seen as a minimal update over the previous installment, lacking innovation or new core systems.
Microtransactions and pay-to-win dynamics dominate Ultimate Team, frustrating many.
Menus are buggy and confusing, and Career Mode suffers from numerous bugs and poor event handling.
Many feel the game is an exploitative cash grab with little regard for user experience.
Pros
- • Manual defending mechanics offer a more skill-based challenge than before.
- • Passing responsiveness improvements enhance gameplay fluidity.
- • Career Mode still provides some engaging content despite bugs.
- • UI feels slightly crisper compared to the previous game.
- • Graphics and player animations maintain franchise standards.
- • Longtime fans find moments of enjoyment amid flaws.
- • Input latency is reportedly better in some cases.
Cons
- • Severe optimization and crashing issues on PC ruin gameplay.
- • Controller input lag and disconnections are frequent and disruptive.
- • AI behavior is inconsistent and unrealistic in defense and attack.
- • Game is a near-identical copy of last year’s version with minimal changes.
- • Menus are buggy, confusing, and prone to freezing or glitches.
- • Ultimate Team is pay-to-win and dominated by microtransactions.
- • Career Mode has numerous bugs, including broken contract and transfer systems.
Rating Criteria
The Club is Yours in EA SPORTS FC™ 26. Play your way with an overhauled gameplay experience powered by community feedback, Manager Live Challenges that bring fresh storylines to the new season, and Archetypes inspired by greats of the game.