EA FC 25’s Simulation settings are everything I’ve wanted in the game for years

EA FC 25's Simulation settings are everything I've wanted in the game for years

As a lifelong football enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of heart-stopping matches and nail-biting moments, I can confidently say that EA FC 25 has finally managed to bring the unpredictability and realism of the beautiful game into the digital realm.


Football matches frequently balance the need for realistic play against the desire for enjoyment. It’s not appealing to let a stunning goal decide a title-deciding game when one team has been clearly superior throughout the match, right?

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that in many cases, the trend is going against relying solely on speedy players. The Electronic Arts FIFA franchise has been making a conscious effort to wean us off this dependence, and the introduction of Football IQ this year seems to be a step towards making the AI more strategically savvy in countering threats.

In the gaming world, I’ve been yearning for a genuine football experience in Ultimate Team for quite some time now, but it seems like that dream is yet to materialize, even with this year’s release. However, the introduction of Simulation settings in Career Mode has significantly enhanced the gameplay, making it feel more authentic and immersive.

A more grounded game

EA FC 25's Simulation settings are everything I've wanted in the game for years

During my latest sneak peek at Career Mode, I had ample opportunity to experiment with the Simulation options enabled, and I can’t imagine playing any other way moving forward.

As a seasoned footballer with years of experience under my belt, I can tell you that introducing an unpredictable element into the game is something that many players might initially scoff at. However, as someone who has seen countless matches and strategies unfold, I can attest to the fact that relying on tried-and-true methods like controlled dribbles or fake crosses can only take you so far. In my opinion, embracing the unpredictable can bring a fresh perspective to your game and keep opponents guessing, ultimately making you a more versatile and formidable player.

During games, various factors influence play. For instance, gusty winds can sweep away balls marked by crosses, while damp grass may impede ball movement at inconvenient times. Throughout my playing career, I often found myself needing to add more speed to ground passes, but this increased the potential for mistakes when attempting to control the ball, thereby distinguishing top-tier players from those in lower divisions.

Everything ties into the management aspect as well. The players now need more than a day or two to recover their energy levels after games, leading me to rotate my starting lineup frequently during preseason for both their sharpness and to provide sufficient rest for my regular starters.

Not all bad news

EA FC 25's Simulation settings are everything I've wanted in the game for years

Luckily, these tactics work against the AI players in this game as well. They can effectively position my striker wider and try to block crosses, no doubt about it. However, just like me, they tend to get flustered when I apply pressure on them while possessing the ball.

On multiple occasions, I noticed their hesitation while holding the ball, contrasting with last year’s match where they seemed to instinctively kick it long and directly towards our players.

As a long-time football enthusiast and coach with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the introduction of new tactical player roles has revolutionized the way I approach the game. In the past, I found myself relying heavily on brute force tactics, committing more players forward to score goals. However, with these new roles, I’ve discovered the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking.

Performing that action increased opportunities, yet it resulted in a deep cross that missed the target, striking the opposing winger who then hit it off the crossbar and crashed into the goalpost.

Experience such pivotal instances in football regularly, and this instance seems to bring us as close as possible to replicating them virtually. Naturally, giving up a late equalizer will sting, but learning how to prevent it in the rematch makes the eventual victory even more satisfying.

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2024-08-08 19:46