As all soccer games fans know, EA has managed to keep a tight hold on the market since its biggest rival, the then-PES franchise, was left behind. But that does mean that there aren’t other games capable of putting up a front and immersing you just as well, although you will have to make some compromises.
Here are the best soccer games for those looking to take an EA FC break in 2025, as well as where to play them.
Rematch
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, and PC
At the top of our list, Rematch can be seen as the best alternative to FC when looking at both popularity and gameplay, as the game offers the complete opposite of the latter via its 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 arcade focus, where skill expression is the norm. As you can expect of a multiplayer-focused live-service title, though, you won’t be able to find any meaningful single-player content here.
Tiny Football
- Platforms: PC
If you are feeling nostalgic and missing that retro feel seen in games like Sensible World of Soccer, Tiny Football can be considered the perfect fit for you, as it pairs SWOS‘s classic top-down style with new technologies focused on improving game-feel, a good amount of single player content, and a 200 team pool, going from Liverpool and Barcelona to national teams like Brazil and, of course, the US.
Honestly, if you are a fan of retro soccer, I don’t believe there’s anything better. To see a more in-depth overview of the game, don’t forget to check out our Tiny Football Early Access Review.
eFootball
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, PC, and Mobile
If you are looking for a similar title but don’t want to tackle EA FC 25‘s PlayStyles-centric systems, eFootball offers a solid experience featuring a welcoming approach to tactics and a way more cadenced gameplay, whether you believe that to be a positive or not. Something else to keep in mind is that eFootball is not PES, which means that even if you can play it locally with friends, the experience here is almost fully focused on its Dream Team UT mode.
UFL
- Platforms: PS5 and Xbox Series
The newest true-to-form contender for FC‘s crown, UFL brings forth a fast-paced gameplay that, surprisingly for many, still manages to feel grounded. In other words, the game feels less convoluted than EA FC 25 and provides a smoother matchday experience when compared eFootball, although its stiff animations and unpolished AI might get in your way.
Its competitive mode is also unlike those of its rivals, as it sees you pull for player skins instead of the players themselves, the latter of which can be acquired with in-game currency and, albeit slowly, upgraded as you play.
Football Manager 2024
- Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series
The go-to for those who love to build teams in Manager Career and are eager to work on their tactical skills, Football Manager 2024 offers what I consider to be a college course in how modern football/soccer works and allows you to meticulously build your side and work in all facets of the game. Just keep in mind that FM is far from a casual game and requires a lot of time and, above all, commitment if you wish to learn how each of its many mechanics and features work.
Mario Strikers: Battle League
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
To close off our soccer games list with a trivela, we have Mario Strikers: Battle League, a great choice for those looking for both a game to play with friends and an even more extreme break from the simulation style seen on FC. But how does the game achieve that? Well, apart from its 5v5 focus (four players plus an AI keeper per team), Battle League goes above and beyond by pairing the series’ flashy special shot mechanic, aka Hyper Strikes, with fully customizable character archetypes and Mario-like mid-match items. If you are still unsure, did we also mention that all eight players can share the same console while in local play?
