What features have been announced for EA FC 25?

EA FC 25 is coming soon and EA Sports has started to reveal what players can expect from the new game.

Leaks have been persistent over the past few weeks.

The first official reveal came on July 15, 2024, as the Ultimate Edition cover included Gianluigi Buffon, confirming his spot as an Icon in EA FC 25.

EA has now revealed lots of new information regarding Ultimate Team.

From revamped game modes and tactical overhauls to innovative player roles and customisation options, EA FC 25 is set to bring a fresh and dynamic approach to the long-running gaming series.

With its worldwide release coming on September 27, 2024, we look into the features that have been announced for EA FC 25 Ultimate Team.

Ultimate Team Rush

Rush is an exciting new game mode coming to EA FC 25, integrating seamlessly into Kick-Off, Manager Career Mode, Clubs, and Ultimate Team.

This mode appears to be replacing Volta, which will not be featured in EA FC 25.

Ultimate Team Rush is a 5v5 format where you control a single player and team up with three friends or strangers, with the AI handling the goalkeeper.

In Rush, you can compete in events based on real-life scenarios, playing with friends or in drop-in games to win matches and earn rewards.

To play Rush, you’ll select a player from your club, with certain restrictions on which players can be used.

These requirements are expected to change weekly.

Meeting these requirements allows you to earn ‘Rush Points’ faster, a new currency similar to XP, which can be used to unlock weekly rewards.

Evolutions Overhaul

After making its debut in EA FC 24, Evolutions was a hit among the Ultimate Team community but it wasn’t without its problems.

For EA FC 25, Evolutions has been revamped to enhance the player experience.

Firstly, EA has responded to community feedback by loosening Evolution requirements in EA FC 25, allowing more players to be eligible for each Evolution compared to EA FC 24.

This change allows players to evolve the same player multiple times throughout the Ultimate Team calendar, rather than waiting four months between evolutions.

With these more lenient requirements, more Evolutions will be released, and players will now be able to complete multiple Evolutions simultaneously – addressing a major frustration from EA FC 24.

Additionally, Evolutions can now be progressed across more game modes, including Rush, Squad Battles, Division Rivals, and Champions.

One of the most exciting new features is the ability to customise Evolution cards in EA FC 25.

For the first time, players can personalise cards with options such as card colour, background animations, sound effects, and even fireworks.

It remains uncertain if these customisation options will come at an additional cost but it would be fantastic if they did not.

SBC Duplicate Storage

For many of us, having high-rated untradeable duplicates can present a dilemma.

You want to make the most of them so what follows is frantically trying to memorise the players to try and use in another SBC.

Well, that will not be a thing in EA FC 25.

An Untradeable SBC duplicate storage will be introduced.

Players will now be able to store up to 100 untradable duplicates in your club.

So when you are completing an SBC, they are available to submit with ease.

Relegation Returns

EA has introduced several competitive improvements to Ultimate Team in EA FC 25, with the decoupling of Friendlies and Rivals being a key change.

This adjustment will create a more relaxing environment for Friendlies, featuring a different matchmaking system than Rivals.

Weekly rewards are also being revamped, with Division Rivals adopting a points-based system instead of a win-based one.

Players will now earn three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss, making draws more meaningful.

To enhance matchmaking, Rivals will have fewer checkpoints, and relegation will return for Division 2 and above.

Additionally, the difference in rewards between these divisions will be more pronounced in EA FC 25.

Player Roles

FC IQ is a new feature for EA FC 25, bringing major changes to tactics across all game modes.

The most notable update is the introduction of Player Roles, with each position now offering three to five specific roles.

For instance, Jude Bellingham can play as a central midfielder (CM) or central attacking midfielder (CAM).

When setting up team tactics, players can select a specific Player Role for him.

As a CAM, Bellingham can be assigned roles such as Half-Winger, Shadow Striker, or Playmaker, with Playmaker being his most familiar role, ensuring optimal performance.

With the introduction of Player Roles, work rates have been removed from the game.

Depending on the assigned role, Bellingham’s work rates will adjust accordingly. As a Shadow Striker, he might exhibit high/low work rates, whereas as a Playmaker, his work rates could be medium/medium.

Player Roles will also be dynamic for special items like Team of the Week (TOTW) cards, reflecting real-life performances.

If Bellingham excels as a defensive midfielder in a real match and earns a TOTW spot, his stats and PlayStyles will update, and his most familiar Player Role could change to Deep-Lying Playmaker or Holding.

Additionally, EA has removed the centre-forward, left-wingback, and right-wingback positions from EA FC 25, incorporating them into the new Player Roles system instead.

Team Tactics

Player Roles are closely integrated with the new, detailed Team Tactics in EA FC 25.

For example, if you set up a 4-1-2-1-2 formation and assign your attacking midfielder the Shadow Striker role, choosing a player whose most familiar role is Shadow Striker will enhance your Team Tactics.

Additionally, managers in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team come with pre-set tactics.

For example, assigning Pep Guardiola as your manager allows you to load his pre-set tactics.

This includes the 4-2-1-3 formation, a short passing build-up style, and a high-line defensive approach, enabling your team to play just like Manchester City.

As the launch of EA FC 25 approaches, the array of announced features promises to redefine the gaming experience for football enthusiasts worldwide.

From the innovative Player Roles and enhanced Team Tactics to the integration of new game modes like Rush and the customisation of Evolution cards, EA Sports has clearly listened to its community.

It has implemented changes that cater to both competitive and casual players.

These updates not only aim to make the gameplay more immersive and strategic but also ensure that each match feels unique and engaging.

As September 27 draws nearer, it’s evident that EA FC 25 is poised to set a new standard in the world of virtual football, delivering a season full of excitement, challenges, and endless possibilities.