I find myself in a weird place for my in-progress review of EA Sports FC 27. On one hand, worthwhile strategic elements have finally been added that reflect real-world tactics in a concise, intuitive way. On the other hand, the promised improvements to behavior and pathing of computer-controlled players on the field still ring hollow, carrying over many of the same issues the series has had for over a decade. Couple this with the dreaded introduction of open-world elements via The Grounds, and the result is yet another instance of positive steps forward but negative steps backward.
Ever since NBA 2K14 introduced MyPark, which eventually evolved into The Neighborhood in NBA 2K18 and The City in NBA 2K21, I figured it was only a matter of time before EA brought a similar open world full of activities to its sports franchises. While The Grounds isn’t without merit, it often feels like EA is trying to solve a problem that didn’t really exist.
My first impression is that The Grounds doesn’t need to be an open-world environment to deliver what the playerbase wants out of a more communal online mode. I don’t need to run through a visually saturated, low-resolution city populated by lifeless NPCs just to find a game mode to start up when simple menus devoted to the same function can do the same thing in a more efficient manner. Sure, it works well as an active lobby for matchmaking and makes it easier to find other players and move between activities, but between the framerate drops and unnatural character animations, nothing immersed me in the hub in EA Sports FC 27 enough to justify its existence.The issues above are only compounded by the myriad of unskippable cutscenes and NBA 2K15-level voice acting that make up The Grounds. The irony is that I was initially excited by the new hub world because it brings back one of my favorite FIFA characters from The Journey story mode: Alex Hunter, who first appeared in FIFA 17 and FIFA 18, once again voiced by Adetomiwa Edun. That enthusiasm disappeared quickly once Hunter began speaking, as his delivery feels noticeably more rigid and detached than it did during his original story.The Grounds often feels like EA is trying to solve a problem that didn’t really exist.“Edun’s performance nearly a decade ago was passionate and natural, whereas The Grounds’ version of Hunter sounds like he would rather be anywhere else. Things get even more painful when Kylian Mbappe appears shortly afterward, delivering his lines with such a stiff, mechanical cadence that it was clear he read his lines directly from a script all in one take. I honestly found myself grateful that my created character doesn’t speak to avoid adding more uncomfortable interactions. While I plan to explore more of the online portion of The Grounds this weekend, the hub itself has not made a particularly strong first impression.When it comes to gameplay, EA Sports FC 27’s expanded Tactics system is easily the best addition, wonderfully complementing the playstyles and roles introduced over the past few years. The new strategy system gives much more control over how teams behave in different phases of play, going beyond basic formations and instructions by explaining the purpose, strengths, and weaknesses of different tactical approaches. This becomes particularly useful when building around individual player attributes. As a Manchester United fan, I found that a deeper defensive approach worked especially well for Noussair Mazraoui, whose patient style lets him maintain his position and disrupt attacks without constantly stepping out of shape, while a short-passing buildup gives him chances to use his technical ability without abandoning that defensive structure.That flexibility became even more apparent when I switched formations on the fly mid-match while playing against Crystal Palace – I found that they were leaving space along the wings, so I moved into a 4-2-2-2, letting Bruno Fernandes operate between the lines and thread passes to a striker such as Benjamin Sesko, creating opportunities for quick combinations and finishes through the middle. Alternatively, when I faced Manchester City, they controlled the wings more successfully. To counter this, I switched to a 4-2-3-1 wide formation, moving Fernandes more centrally so he dictates play and combines with holding midfielders such as Kobbie Mainoo through quick one-two passes.What we said about EA Sports FC 26″Ultimate Team players have had it bad enough for years, but now, not even the Career Mode players are safe from the Season Pass woes. If you can get past the microtransaction madness, there is a noticeably better soccer game here, and that is worth celebrating – but FC 26 is also EA at its most money-hungry yet, and it’s hard not to worry about where things will go from here.” – Ricky Frech, September 26, 2025Score: 6Read the full EA Sports FC 26 review.Separating tactical instructions for possession and defensive phases adds another useful layer, while Player Roles give individual players more specific responsibilities within a formation. Instead of simply placing someone in a position and expecting them to behave a certain way, I can now build their role around the specific contribution I want from them. For example, if I move into a 4-2-3-1 wide and place Benjamin Šeško on the right side, I can adjust his role depending on the circumstances. As an inside forward, he can cut inward to create shooting opportunities or provide another passing option for Fernandes, while a wider role allows him to stretch the defense and open space through the middle.That same flexibility can be useful defensively, particularly when protecting a lead. If an opponent repeatedly targets his side of the pitch, giving Šeško more defensive responsibility lets him drop back and support the right back, providing another way to protect that flank without abandoning the attacking structure. What makes the system particularly valuable is that it teaches the strategy behind soccer formations without overwhelming players with unnecessary information. EA Sports FC 27 does a good job explaining why different shapes work, which players suit them, and how to adjust them against different opponents, making the tactical aspect for the sport approachable while still leaving experienced players plenty of room to experiment.When it comes to gameplay, EA Sports FC 27’s expanded Tactics system is easily the best addition.“The biggest issue is that the tactical system can sometimes feel like it is working against the game’s own computer-controlled behavior. Pathing and defensive logic can still break down on higher difficulties, allowing a carefully constructed gameplan to be undermined by an CPU defender refusing to challenge for a 50/50 ball or making an inexplicable movement. Passing will still occasionally produce similarly frustrating results when a ball aimed toward an open teammate on the right is instead sent toward a covered player in the middle.Crossing and corner kicks have also improved noticeably, with both systems producing more convincing positioning battles and giving the player greater control over what happens inside the box. I scored several successful headers with Harry Maguire from corners during my time with the game, which stood out because I could count on one hand the number of corner routines and headed goals I had scored in previous EA Sports FC entries.I’m going to explore Career Mode, Presentation, Online, and Ultimate Team, and dive deeper into how Tactics will affect both single-player and multiplayer modes, in the coming days before locking in my full scored review – stay tuned.
