FC 25 is in touching distance as fans turn their heads towards the next game, and the FC 25 reveal has just been released, showcasing all of the incredible new features coming in the upcoming edition of EA Sports FC.
EA prides itself on providing the best online football game modes in the world. Ultimate Team and Clubs have been a huge hit for over a decade, and FC 25 could offer the best version of both modes yet!
FC 25 Ultimate Team & Clubs
Ultimate Team is considered EA's pride and joy, while Clubs continues to be enjoyed by millions of players around the world, and FC 25 promises to be bigger and better than before. Plenty of new features and additions are set to arrive in the next edition of the game modes.
The FC 25 reveal has given fans insight into what to expect for the future of Ultimate Team and Clubs, and players can be excited about what's to come.
Several bits of news have dropped, including a new game mode, duplicate storage for SBCs, pack animations, and much more, which we have covered below.
Rush Ultimate Team Game Mode
A new game mode is coming to not only FC 25 Ultimate Team but also the entirety of FC 25 game modes, where players can enjoy 5v5 battles with friends to earn rewards.
Penta seems like a cross between Ultimate Team and VOLTA, in the best way possible, as players can jump into games playing as a single player from their Ultimate Team, either with friends or randoms, to achieve a goal that will earn them rewards.
Fans can build and play with their favorite player item from 11v11, team up with friends, and use this item in locked-to-player 5v5 matches. Bring your own player from your club - build a squad with friends - compete together as a group and earn rewards.
The four-person lobby lets you invite up to three friends to play Rush with. If three friends aren’t available, it will matchmake other players into the lobby to complete your team.
There will be no AI or Bots other than the two goalkeepers on each side.
Rivals & Rewards
EA has been busy changing key features in Rivals and Rewards ahead of FC 25 Ultimate Team to ensure that players have the best experience possible.
First of all, Friendlies and Rivals matchmaking will be decoupled. The goal of this is to make friendlies more of a fun space where you can build squads and do objectives without having to worry about your Rivals rank.
Rivals will be the competitive space where you play with your best squad, and friendlies will be a place with its own matchmaking system that will let you play with the players you want to and complete objectives.
EA is changing from a win-based system to a points-based system. Players will earn three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. This means players can still progress towards weekly rewards even if they don’t win matches, and draws become more valuable, especially when a player quits midgame, it won't feel as if the match was for nothing now.
The number of checkpoints across all of the divisions will be reduced so players won’t get stuck in places and matchmake against people they’re not supposed to be. Ensures fair matchmaking against opponents of equal skill more often.
Relegations will also be introduced to the top tier, so players can be relegated to and from Divisions 1 and 2. This is to make sure that if you are playing at that level, you deserve to be there. Rewards will be granted appropriately, meaning greater differentiation between each rank and the rewards that you get, to make sure the best players in the game are getting the best rewards.
Pack Animation
Each year, EA mixes things up with Ultimate Team by changing the pack animation. This adds to the excitement of opening packs, with fans figuring out what is inside within the first few weeks of the animation being aired.
FC 25 Ultimate Team will see the return of the sliding doors and flares animation, which featured in FIFA 20 and FIFA 21, where fans would open a pack and doors would open and then players would be led down a tunnel to meet their new player!
Duplicate Storage
Inside every pack in Ultimate Team are players, all of whom can benefit your club in some way or another. Whether they are used in your squad, put into an SBC, or evolved into superstars, players are the heartbeat of Ultimate Team.
However, sometimes you can have too many players, and as many will know, duplicates can occur.
EA has found a great alternative for these stars now, and FC 24 players will be able to store up to 100 duplicates in their club, meaning they can be saved for big SBCs, sold at a time when the player's price is spiking, or ready to be evolved when the time comes.
Evolutions
FC 24 was EA's first attempt at Evolutions, and they have become a fan favorite of the game mode ever since. Players can evolve any card of their choosing to help improve their squad.
In the next game, Evolutions will be making their own evolution, with EA broadening the threshold of players you can use by more than 7x the number of players, meaning squads will be even more diverse.
According to EA, the new upgrade system will dramatically increase the number of players eligible for any given Evolution, and many more Evolutions will be released throughout the year.
Users will also be able to visually customize the Evolutions to match their fandom for their used player, this can be done by adding animations to Evolution cards and changing the background color, as well as using fireworks and sound effects to better reflect your Evo card.
Evos will also be upgradeable via the new Rush game mode, and goalkeepers could finally be getting Evolutions.
Gameplay Updates & PlayStyles
Firstly, EA is finally adding goalkeeper PlayStyles into FC 25 Ultimate Team, meaning Evolutions for GKs should also be arriving.
Six GK PlayStyles, including Footwork, Rush Out, Deflector, Cross Claimer, Far Throw, and Far Reach, which apply to many shot-stoppers in football, are coming to the game mode.
In addition, EA has implemented a new feature called 'FC IQ,' where player roles and tactics will have the most significant impact on squad and gameplay variety EA has ever introduced to the game.
This means you will be playing against more players, and the styles and ways that your opponent uses to try to beat you are going to be more diverse than ever before. New player roles, more ways to customize tactics, and quick imports from tactic presets and codes.
A new stadium will also be available, it’s designed to show off your customization better and features an expanded away section.
Clubhouse
A personalized social space that connects players and clubs. This is a new menu screen in your club's dressing room, where you and your teammates can gather before entering matches. It features club colors, kits, and the club badge to make you feel right at home.
Clubs Rush
Clubs will also have their own version of the new Rush game mode, which will let players climb the ranks and earn Victory Points and seasonal rewards. Winning matches in Clubs Rush will earn players rank points which contribute to your Rush player rank. Players will also be able to earn points to add to their Club’s tally, ensuring progress toward their in-game player and the club itself.
Clubs Facilities
In Clubs, players will be able to equip Facility Cards that define their club identity through the way they play. The club manager now can allocate a budget towards facility cards, each with their own attribute boosts that provide benefits that define your club identity on the pitch. The club’s facility budget increases as your club reputation grows, meaning reputation really matters. Beyond attributes, some facility upgrades will come equipped with PlayStyles and PlayStyles+ that impact all clubmates, tailoring your on-pitch identity.
Each of the 20 to 30 facility cards will come with a one, two, or three-star variant or with its own unique attribute benefit that will affect only the human members of the club. These effects will only impact players during club matches, i.e., club league, playoff, and friendlies. All clubs start with the same budget, but it will increase throughout the cycle with the club reputation system. As the budget increases, so do the options available to your club manager.
Relegation Returns
Losing enough matches in the traditional 11v11 experience will trigger a one-off relegation battle, players will need to avoid a loss in order to survive the drop.
Improved Player Customization
Through the new season pass, clubs store, clubs rush, and the clubs league and playoff reward system, more items like tattoos, boots, gloves, and arm sleeves can be added to your player.
What are your thoughts on some of the features coming to FC 25 Ultimate Team and Clubs? Let us know in the comments below.
EA SPORTS FC 25 will be available to play on September 27, 2024, launching on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Early access via the Ultimate Edition begins September 20.
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