EA FC 26's maiden gameplay trailer dropped as scheduled on July 16, and for a change, it was an actual display of "gameplay".
If you have been a passionate FIFA (or FC, as well, call it these days) player, you would know just how bad everything is with FC 25. The trailer last year was an animated movie, and things went downhill quickly.
With FC 26, EA Sports is showing from day one that they mean business, and the trailer is very different.
EA FC 26's Trailer feels like a Gameplay Deep Dive
EA Sports conducts gameplay deep dives each year to showcase what they have planned. We are going to get the same once again, but something already feels different. I have attached the official trailer, which opens with the words "We Hear You". It's pretty accurate, because I, and many players in the community, have felt that the developers haven't listened to us with EA FC 25.
Watching the trailer, I felt different. For starters, we saw plenty of gameplay footage that highlighted what to expect.
- Fewer Tackle Backs means better chances for the defenders to win the ball with a successful tackle.
- Goalkeeper overhaul to reduce rebounds.
- Quicker passing of the ball.
- Smarter AI movements.
- Better agility across all directions.
- Realistic shielding.
- Archetype systems.
- New roles and playstyles.
So why do these changes have me hyped from the trailer itself? For starters, it finally appears that EA Sports is listening. The trailer was less about flashy stuff and more focused on the developers' changes. Tackle Backs have been an issue since EA FC 25 released (they remain, but the situation has improved).
I don't even want to talk about goalkeeping in the current game because it's that. Passing has improved, but again, it took the developers nearly eight months to get it right. All these features are fundamental issues that should be at the foundation of a good football game. Yet, it took several title updates from EA Sports to finally hit the mark (that is, if we consider that at all).
I don't expect the situation with microtransactions to change, and that's fine. EA FC 25 might have plenty of problems, but you don't have to spend money to actually get a Tier-1 squad. However, the basic gameplay has frustrated many, who have stopped playing the game many months ago. Some of them might have returned during FUTTIES, but that's mainly to get some endgame cards in Ultimate Team.
The trailer also shared brief insights into EA Sports revamping the Manager Mode. I grew up on this mode, but it has become dead and stale over the years. Finally, there seems to be some hope for those who don't love to play online. If you do, then there's something new as well.
Ultimate Team, in its current iteration, is all about Champions and Rivals. Squad Battles are boring, Moments exist only in name, and Friendlies are good in some weeks. In EA FC 26, we will be getting back Tournaments, and Live Events will be added to create themed competitions. Champs are also being split into two groups so that beginners can have an easier time getting rewards and improving their squads.
The most important takeaway is perhaps the fact that EA Sports is listening (as I have mentioned earlier). Take any video game, and the general experience is always better when the developers listen. Since last September, many have felt that EA Sports just doesn't care, and this trailer almost signals a new beginning and something far more positive to look at.
Even the brief glimpses of what's essentially a marketing technique showcased some features that we have been wishing for so long. Should they have been included in EA FC 25? Yes, but it's better late than never. However, EA Sports will have to ensure that the promises made by the game's first trailer don't remain unfulfilled come September 19.
The post EA FC 26’s trailer drops with a seismic shock, showcasing long-awaited features to get fan hopes high appeared first on Destructoid.
