I find myself in a weird place with 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 the 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 year where nearly positive change is balanced out by a negative one.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 other 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.<\/p>\n
After hours of exploring The Grounds, it\u2019s clear FC 27 didn\u2019t need to have an open-world environment to deliver a more communal online mode. I don\u2019t 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 that 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 is immersiveness enough about this hub to justify its existence.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 them directly from the script all in one take. I honestly found myself grateful that my created character doesn’t speak to avoid adding even more uncomfortable interactions. <\/p>\n
The frustration is only compounded by the constant connection issues and errors that still plague the multiplayer community. From disconnects to server lag, I got kicked from or had to leave more games than I can count in my first full week with FC 27. At one point, I even had a match where my opponent had a goal kick, but instead of kicking the ball, his keeper started floating up the pitch with it. This didn\u2019t end until the poor player was sent back to his home planet like Poochie in The Simpsons. After a few hilarious, confusing seconds, the netminder was able to take his place back between the posts, but I was given a corner kick as a result. <\/p>\n
I also played every new minigame, from Mario Kart-like Balloon Ball to Football Tennis. While I had some fun, it wasn\u2019t enough to buck the notion that these elements belong in FIFA Street more than they do FC 27. Combine that with the fact that progression in The Ground is tied to coins and XP that can also be purchased with real money, and it only compounds my worry that the series keeps moving away from the beautiful game I know and love to further push microtransactions.<\/p>\n
When it comes to gameplay, FC 27’s expanded Tactics system and its effect on gameplay is easily the best addition, wonderfully complementing the playstyles and roles introduced over the past few years by improving strategy, movement, passing, and crossing in numerous ways. Now more than ever, you have 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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n That flexibility became even more apparent when I switched formations on the fly mid-match while playing against Crystal Palace \u2013 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 dictated play and combined with holding midfielders such as Kobbie Mainoo through quick one-two passes.<\/p>\n 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 could build their role around the specific contribution I wanted from them. For example, if I move into a 4-2-3-1 wide and place Benjamin \u0160e\u0161ko 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 \u0160e\u0161ko more defensive responsibility lets him drop back and support the right back, providing another way to protect that flank without abandoning the attacking structure. <\/p>\n What makes the system particularly valuable is that it teaches the strategy behind soccer formations without overwhelming players with unnecessary information. 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 of the sport approachable while still leaving experienced players plenty of room to experiment.<\/p>\n This is emphasized even more with revamped passing, which now focuses more on manual controls for grounded and lobbed passing, giving more control over where to place the ball and take advantage of the new curved runs. These movements mirror the real-life game smoothly, as the dynamic movement lets a player burst forward into a curved supporting run around defenders rather than a rigid straight line. <\/p>\n While great in theory, these movements can sometimes feel like they work against FC 27\u2019s own computer-controlled behavior. Pathing and defensive logic can still break down on higher difficulties, allowing a carefully constructed gameplan to be undermined by a 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nEvery IGN FIFA Game Review Ever<\/h3>\n