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EA Sports FC 26 review: Two different ways of playing makes this the best footie game yet

EA Sports churn out another in their endless football sim franchise and this year the emphasis is on trying to deliver a title for both the fun video gamer who wants goals galore and the nerdy simulation lovers who seek authenticity first

[EA Sports FC 26]

EA Sports FC 26

I quite liked FC 25, with its arcade-style new Rush mode and a clear desire to prove there was life after Fifa exited the franchise.

But the reaction among some gamers was fairly lukewarm to the long-running footie sim.

Well the gaming bods at EA Sports have come back for another go to compliment the 25/26 soccer season.

And this time theyve doubled down on player feedback, trying to give console gamers exactly the footie game they want to play for months ahead.

The result?

A faster-paced game from the off that allows you to go all-out with an arcade-style video game experience packed full of amazing goals OR a more authentic simulator for those interested in the minutiae of the beautiful game, who are happy to chess-battle a 0-0 draw.

Because you now get to choose your gameplay experience, as opposed to either love or hate the chosen-for-you singular style of any given year in the series.

That indeed is a game changer for FC 26, because it means folk like me who want a speedy, forgiving and adrenaline-fuelled experience with my favourite footballers can get exactly that.

But arguably geekier sim fans who want authenticity at the heart of everything, from defensive intelligence to realistic goalmouth scrambles, can also get their desired effect.

Its a great idea and one that tries to finally solve the conundrum among fans as to what the FC series ultimately should be, a fun game or a deep, fulfilling, accurate simulation.

[The game is packed with familiar faces]

The game is packed with familiar faces

FAST AND FURIOUS

On my side of the fence, FC26 plays really brilliantly, with pace seemingly the big winner to gameplay this year.

The tie-ins with so many real-life teams and players is one of the biggest draws to this series each year over the likes of eFootball.

And the good news is that if youre looking for that Sky Sports Premier League Sunday afternoon telly look then this is the only contender in town for visual similarity and a cast of literally thousands of recognisable famous footballers.

Some of the faces are a bit odd, Im still not sure thats a correct looking Cole Palmer, and the hair particularly feels off on many players this year.

But overall this is an outstanding looking game with second-to-none character animations, slick player movement and a brilliant, wider match day experience thanks to pre-game and post-game cut scenes at well-known stadia.

The arcade-style experience is best suited to online play against pals and randoms.

At its best youre in an emotional, heart-in-mouth gameplay battle with your rival akin to any great real-life footie game.

For the offline managerial gamer, the Authentic Gameplay option will scratch the right itch.

There are plenty of tweaks outside of gameplay and visuals too.

[You can be a player or a manager or both]

You can be a player or a manager or both

TWEAKS APLENTY

In Career Mode there has been a new emphasis on Manager Live, an always-online and evolving set of challenges that will continue to test your management skills.

Whether youre building a team of young stars, mastering a specific tactical identity, or navigating a strict transfer policy, Manager Live will push you to think creatively and adapt to new scenarios.

New to Player Career - and Clubs - are Archetypes, a progression system that has replaced the Player Growth system.

Youll be able to unlock, progress, and develop 13 distinct player Archetypes, each inspired by an historical great of world football, and each built to give you options that fit your style of play.

So there are types like magician where a footballer can seemingly create a goal-scoring chance out of the most minimal situations, or midfield Maestros, who can unlock holes in a rivals defence with their tiki taka feet.

Ultimate Team has also had some changes.

Gameplay has re-focused on responsiveness to avoid frustration that the game isnt doing what you want it to when you need it to.

Theres also the introduction of Gauntlets, which are a new way to test your club depth and your ability across multiple matches.

Each Gauntlet consists of up to five matches.

However, instead of using the same squad each match, youll need to use a completely different squad for every match, including the entire subs bench.

Its a format where squad building choices matter just as much as what happens on the pitch.

Strength in depth is key, just like Arsenals Mikel Arteta is finally realising.

[Some of the likenesses can be a little odd but generally the graphics are great]

Some of the likenesses can be a little odd but generally the graphics are great

VERDICT

Overall, this is one hell of a football package that now tries to satisfy both classic arcade-loving football gamers and the diehard players who strive for an ever more realistic title to enjoy.

By giving you the option now for both, FC 26 elevates its gameplay offering on last year and makes this a must-buy for football fans.

Although dont expect giant changes anywhere else in the title, more small tweaks.

VERDICT 4.5/5

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