The honeymoon phase for EA FC 26 looks to be over. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked about a myriad of issues: goalkeeper movement, the spinning meta, and defense that’s way too easy to break. Those are just fundamental issues; we also had the Clubs Foundations Objectives disappear, and problems with the matchmaking system in FUT Champs round two weeks ago. It’s easy to see why fans are unhappy.
What’s Going On With EA FC 26?
Before the release of the game, there was a lot of talk from EA that they’d be listening and responding to player feedback. And honestly? They’ve done a decent job of doing that. They are constantly monitoring feedback and reporting updates over at the @EASFCDirect Twitter account. Unfortunately, just listening to and responding to players isn’t enough when there are fundamental issues that need an overhaul.
Take kickoffs, for example. Free kickoff goals have been a problem in FC/FIFA for as long as I can remember. EA apparently promised to fix this with an update, but a review of the EASportsFC subreddit reveals that this issue remains a major problem with the game. Then there’s shooting, where players with mid-tier stats seem to be scoring from absurd angles. One fan even joked that there are “71-rated shooting players that are finishing like Messi.”
Combine that with the near-post meta, the spinning meta for dribbling, where a player just holds the ball for as long as they want, and broken defense. You now have a game that plays well on the surface, but crumbles under the scrutiny of competitive players. Tackling also feels ineffective, especially when the attackers are just able to spin endlessly without consequence.
The harshest criticism, though, is a bit philosophical. FC 26 tries to be dynamic and immersive with its Competitive and Authentic presets, but it feels empty at times. There’s a lack of buildup, strategy, and finesse involved in scoring most goals. Fellow writer and editor, Christian Smith, is also rightfully concerned about microtransactions in Clubs Mode. We can only hope that EA delivers on their promise of continuing to listen to feedback and improving things with future updates.
