EA Sports FC 26 Review: A Game of Two Halves

EA Sports FC 26 arrives with a bold promise - to deliver the most authentic football experience yet while catering to both competitive and casual players. After years of similar releases, this entry makes some significant changes to the core gameplay that set it apart from its predecessors. But do these improvements outweigh the persistent issues that have plagued the series for years?

What's New This Year?

The most noticeable change in FC 26 is the introduction of two distinct gameplay presets: "Authentic" and "Competitive." This isn't just a minor tweak - it's a fundamental shift in how the game plays depending on your preferred mode.

Gameplay Improvements That Matter

Beyond the two presets, FC 26 brings several key improvements that enhance the overall experience:

• Goalkeepers are finally more consistent - no more frustrating moments where keepers parry shots directly back to attackers
• Successful tackles now actually regain possession rather than deflecting randomly
• Dribbling and movement mechanics have been refined, giving you better control in one-on-one situations
• Passing and shooting accuracy feels more reliable, though through balls to pacey strikers remain highly effective

The separation between Authentic and Competitive play means EA can balance each mode independently - a welcome change for players who felt previous titles couldn't properly serve both casual and competitive audiences.

Career Mode Gets Some Love

Manager and Player Career modes receive meaningful attention in this year's game. The new Manager Market system makes career saves more dynamic and unpredictable, with AI managers getting fired, switching clubs, and creating unexpected opportunities.

The addition of Icons and Heroes in Career Mode should be a game-changer, allowing you to build classic players like Figo and Kroos into your squads. Unfortunately, EA has made the questionable decision to lock many of these legendary players behind the Season Pass, which we'll discuss later.

The Ultimate Team Experience

Ultimate Team remains FC's flagship mode, and this year brings both positives and negatives. On the plus side, there's more content than ever - new Challengers modes, returning tournaments with specific team requirements, and constant objectives to complete.

However, Ultimate Team's pack-focused monetization continues to be a point of contention. The mode feels increasingly designed to encourage spending, with rewards seeming more scarce than in previous years. Unless you're willing to invest significant money or time, keeping up with the meta can feel like an uphill battle.

The Monetization Problem

If there's one area where FC 26 consistently draws criticism, it's the aggressive implementation of microtransactions. The new Season Pass system has drawn particular ire from the community.

What makes this year's Season Pass particularly controversial is its reach into every game mode. Beyond the expected Ultimate Team rewards, the pass also offers content for Clubs, Player Career, and Manager Career. This means even players who avoid Ultimate Team are encouraged to engage with the monetization system.

The decision to lock Career Mode Icons behind the Season Pass feels especially exploitative, taking what should be a fantastic addition to the mode and turning it into a premium feature.

Technical Performance and Presentation

On new-gen systems, FC 26 is generally a good-looking game with improved animations and more realistic ball physics. Stadium atmospheres and broadcast presentation continue to impress, though commentary remains largely unchanged from previous years.

However, the PC version appears to have significant technical issues at launch, with players reporting bugs, frame rate drops during cutscenes, and persistent problems from previous games that remain unfixed. The Steam version currently sits at "Mostly Negative" reviews from Chinese players, suggesting these aren't isolated incidents.

The Verdict

EA Sports FC 26 represents both a step forward and a missed opportunity. The gameplay improvements, particularly the separation between Authentic and Competitive presets, show that EA is listening to community feedback and making meaningful changes to the core experience.

If you're a dedicated football fan who spends hours with Career Mode or Clubs, FC 26 offers enough meaningful improvements to warrant a purchase. The Authentic gameplay preset finally delivers the realistic football experience many have been craving.

However, if you're primarily an Ultimate Team player who skipped last year's title, you'll find a mode that's increasingly focused on monetization and constant engagement. The core gameplay feels better, but you'll need to decide if that's enough to justify the investment.