EA Sports FC 25 has faced significant backlash, prompting a substantial "Gameplay Refresh Update." Criticisms extend beyond monetization practices to encompass technical issues and gameplay mechanics. The update addresses over 50 areas, focusing on core gameplay systems:
- Overhauled Core Mechanics: Significant adjustments have been made to assists, shooting, goalkeeping, and defensive actions.
- Improved Defensive AI: Addressed the frequent occurrence of defenders inexplicably catching up to attackers.
- Enhanced Offensive Flow: Ball movement in attacking situations has been streamlined.
- AI Behavior Adjustments: Reduced instances of AI-controlled players performing unrealistic reverse tackles and interceptions.
- Crossing Effectiveness Nerfed: The effectiveness of crossing passes has been significantly lowered.
- Player Positioning Improvements: Players now offer quicker support when playing in familiar positions.
- Offside Detection Refinements: Improved offside detection accuracy for AI offensive runs.
- Shooting Accuracy Tweaks: Slight improvements to the accuracy of both normal and aimed shots taken from outside the penalty area under straightforward conditions.
The initial reception was overwhelmingly negative, with only 36% positive player reviews out of 474 on release. Key complaints included perceived corporate greed, numerous bugs and crashes, and controller recognition problems (particularly with PlayStation controllers). Furthermore, the game's anti-cheat measures render it incompatible with the Steam Deck.
