EA SPORTS FC 27 has arrived as the next iterative edition for the video game of The World’s Game, and from early access to the full release, I’ve been enjoying my time with the game. For context, EA SPORTS FC 27 is my first FC game in a few years, so I’m effectively catching up on what has been improved and changed over the course of multiple games. However, there’s a lot about EA SPORTS FC 27 that appears to single-player oriented gamers, and I definitely think it’s worth discussing from multiple avenues, including the Nintendo Switch 2 version.
EA SPORTS FC 27 arrives with multiple new features and modes, along with some upgrades to existing modes, including Manager Career and Player Career. All of these modes were available from the early access period on September 18, which was accessible to buyers of the Ultimate Edition and Ultimate Plus Edition. With this edition on hand for review, I managed to put nearly 40 hours across the game’s various modes, and honestly, I’m pleased with what the FC 27 offers as a whole while feeling indifferent to some of the game’s advertised features.
EA SPORTS FC 27 Brings a Wide Breadth of Content
Upon boot-up, EA SPORTS FC 27 makes itself known as a vast content hub full of modes to choose from, all while featuring a backdrop of the game’s cover athletes dribbling the ball to each other in a display of technique. It’s authentic and stylish, and the game’s aesthetic leans into the game’s new The Grounds mode, which is an online hub mode that allows you to explore three areas inspired by real-world locations rich with football history. You’re encouraged to complete some basic tutorials or get started right away in The Grounds, but you could also just dive right into Ultimate Team, Career, or Seasons if you’re a returning player who wants to get onto the pitch as soon as possible.
The Grounds is a clear highlight of FC 27 with its online PvP streetball-inspired match types and content. After customizing your player character and completing a tutorial with Alex Hunter and Kylian Mbappé, you’re essentially given the keys to progress as a player and make a name for yourself, both in-universe and with other players if you so choose. In fact, up to 100 players can be in one instance of The Grounds at once, making it quite an anomaly for the series. One caveat (or advantage depending on the player) is that traditional 11v11 Pro Clubs is now located in The Grounds instead of being a dedicated mode accessible from the main menu. The Grounds can also serve as an extended in-game tutorial where you learn the ins and outs of football through mentors like Mbappé, Paulo Dybala, and Chloe Kelly.
There’s a lot to see and play in The Grounds, but its content can only be experienced to its fullest with other players. If you’re more of an on-and-off player, you’ll get more enjoyment out of Ultimate Team, Manager Career, Player Career, and Seasons, since you can essentially play those at your own pace without relying on friends or other players. Locally, you can also enjoy Seasons with a friend who also has a game and a console—most notably in the Nintendo Switch 2 version. On that note, FC 27 gives you so much content to explore, and if you’re a returning player, you will get a lot out of the modes you have already enjoyed in the past.
Ultimate Team is back with improved Evolution systems, the FUT Gallery, revamped SBCs, a greater variety of single-player content against AI opponents, and a wide range of incentives to build out your team as you see fit. Since I haven’t played Ultimate Team in what’s felt like a lifetime, I was truly surprised by how generous and rewarding Ultimate Team is. You can earn really good players from top clubs for your team by simply playing game modes and improving your own skills in FC 27. SBCs let you reinvest the currency you’ve used on Packs to get better or new players for your team, and there’s a wide range of them to complete for the first time or on a repeatable basis. FUT Gallery gives you incentives for actually collecting players you earn from packs, too. With the expanded live challenges, Squad Battles, and additional modes that update over time, Ultimate Team is looking solid right now for casual and competitive players alike, and I’m really enjoying it myself.
As for Career and Seasons, you can essentially take the reigns of your favorite football clubs or carve out your own history with a player-created character. Manager Career and Player Career brought the new Dynamic Overall Rating system, revamped transfer systems, and much more that give players more control over their career compared to past games. Coming from an earlier entry in the series, FC 27’s Career Modes do feel notably more in-depth, but the systems are still easy to understand. At the end of the day, it’s still a Career Mode, so the same end goals apply for your playthrough.
Tried-and-True Gameplay with Some Caveats
EA SPORTS FC 27 is an iterative step forward for the franchise’s gameplay, which sticks to the year-on-year formula. It’s easy to learn, but hard to master, especially as you face more competitive AI and other players as you climb the ranks. FC 27 brings more manual defending with revamped crossing mechanics and stricter passing. The FC team also made changes to AI defending, allowing you to more easily win possession if you’re on top of manual positioning with your players. There are also dedicated Set Piece mechanics, which undoubtedly take some cues from the Premier League winners at Arsenal. There are numerous changes that a bit more intricate, such as more realistic passing and the ability to aim crosses.
I won’t get too in-depth with the changes here, but all together, FC 27 does feel a tad different than I was expecting. It’s easier to get control of the ball, even on World Class difficulty matches. FC 27 sticks to the tried-and-true gameplay systems of the series, but it’s more technical with more direct control in your hands. Fortunately, the game offers several tutorials and tools that will both help and reward you. For example, players can learn certain mechanics in Ultimate Team through Moments, and earning stars in Moments allows you to earn Gold Packs and make your team stronger.
There are a few caveats to consider with FC 27, though. FC 26 players will probably feel right at home with the game, but I can’t imagine that this year’s entry is a major step up in the gameplay department when it comes to basic entry-level play. Many of the changes will surely benefit players competitively online. I think the Set Piece mechanics, Tactics systems, and possession-based adjustments are great for all players, however.
As for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, FC 27 is a really good effort with some drawbacks. For starters, FC 27 runs at 30 FPS in both handheld and docked modes on Nintendo Switch 2 at 1080p and 1440p, respectively. I’m disappointed that the game isn’t running at 60 FPS on Switch 2, but the gameplay still feel smooth and responsive. Graphically, FC 27 looks really good in motion on Switch 2, but you will notice some drawbacks in player models and textures if you look closely—especially with the Classic camera view in Ultimate Team. What’s more, this version doesn’t support cross-play with the PlayStation, Xbox and PC versions. Instead, cross-play is handled in different pools, with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 gamers being able to play together.
EA SPORTS FC 27 Takes a Decent Shot at Goal
I think FC 27 is a really solid sports game, and there’s so much content that can keep you playing for many, many hours if you really get deep into the gameplay and various modes. Functionally, FC 27 is very sound and proven in the ideas that the developers had for it, including The Grounds and the various other new gameplay features. Only time will tell if the AI defending and other supported features of FC 27 will hold up over time with patches and adjustments.
However, like other yearly sports game releases, FC 27 doesn’t necessary move the needle. Whether it needed to is debatable, but it’s clear that FC 27 shares more similarities with its predecessor than not, and for gamers, sometimes improvements on what you already enjoy is just enough. FC 27 is simultaneously a great game for lapsed fans who finally want to get into The World’s Game on consoles and PC again, but for returning players, it’s just not too exciting here. On top of this, Nintendo gamers are getting a version that isn’t entirely on par with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, despite all the same content being there from day one.
EA SPORTS FC 27 is available now for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Disclaimer: EA provided a digital copy of EA SPORTS FC 27 Ultimate Edition for review purposes.
