By Andrew McMahon

Copyright shacknews

As a lifelong soccer fan and avid player, I have a strange love-hate relationship with the virtual version of my favorite sport. Each year, I go in expecting significant changes, only to be disappointed by what feels like simple roster updates. While EA Sports FC 26 doesn’t drastically change the game or its fundamentals, it does just enough to feel like a solid change of pace this time around.

Authentically competitive

The most significant improvement to EA Sports FC 26 is the introduction of two new gameplay presets: Competitive and Authentic. Anyone who has played Madden over the last few years is aware of this playstyle differentiation, so it is surprising that it has taken its fútbol counterpart so long to implement it.

Competitive is tuned for added responsiveness and higher player control, which is perfect for arcade-like online matches of Ultimate Team and Clubs. Authentic is based on a higher realism tempo, which slows down the speed for offline modes like Career Mode.

Authentic makes matches feel less predictable, but also creates a clear distinction between authentic football simulation and the fast-paced arcade, score-fest approach of competitive online matches. This is something I’ve been begging for because it allows me to tailor my experience based on my mood.

Regardless of the mode that is being played, gameplay in general feels the crispest it has in a while. Goalkeepers actually do their job (instead of diving at the slightest movement), passing is on point, and the AI isn’t completely brain-dead, especially on defense. I was flabbergasted that when I didn’t switch on the CPU, they actually stole the ball for once.

Much of this is due to the numerous new archetypes, player roles, and customizable tactics introduced in EA Sports FC 26, which significantly open up both short-term and long-term competition. I’ve never been big on tactics or formation variation myself, but it is really cool to see how CPU managers will take advantage of the feature in Career Mode.

Deep simulation

While controlling Manchester United, I found myself playing many different variations of Premier League teams throughout my career, as the AI opponents evolved with each new derby. The Deeper Simulation aspect of controlling five additional leagues was also enjoyable, as it allowed me to influence how CPU-controlled players and teams performed in a season outside of my own. This resulted in some crazy Lyon and Galatasaray rematches in my Europa and Champions League games.

For the first time in the series, including FIFA, the mode feels immersive and alive, at least in this respect. The rest of Career Mode, regardless of whether you’re a manager or player, still feels phoned in.

Sure, there are new challenges and scenarios that you can experience throughout your career, but the core approach is built on a weak foundation. The mode still leans into its poor excuse for role-playing mechanics with its Personality Points System and the usual text bubble-style interaction, robbing the “story” of any ambiance.

Ultimate Team also draws a more visible line in the sand this year by tailoring its experience more to casual players. The revamped Rivals and Champions & Challengers modes make it clear that you should only try your hand if you’re a serious competitor.

Evolving and devolving

Evolutions also gets a decent update this year, adding in Goalkeepers, Repeatable EVOs, and a handful of cosmetic upgrades. Repeatable Evolutions can be applied to multiple Player Items or used on the same one where possible.

Cosmetic changes include being able to evolve players without changing their item, stacking upgrades, and rarity carryover. While I don’t play the mode all too much myself, I’m glad one of the best parts of it is getting significant improvements.

Unfortunately, the Season Pass for all of these modes in EA Sports FC 26 might be the worst one yet, which is quite an accomplishment. Monetizing Ultimate Team players is one thing, but the fact that Icons and Heroes are locked behind the Season Pass is just ridiculous.

It is tough to earn enough points to acquire these players and utilize them in Career Mode, which is one of the biggest draws for offline players like me. This means you’ll need to play the RNG gambit of lootboxes or use real money to unlock players like Park Ji-Sung, which is a shame.

EA Sports FC 26 boasts some of the best on-field gameplay the series has ever seen. Casual and veteran players alike will appreciate the split in gameplay presents and just how distinct and responsive each dribble, pass, and shot feels in accordance with each. Monitization has unfortunately poked its ugly head into single-player modes now, too, so be fair warned in that regard. Still, this is the best soccer simulator I’ve played in years, so it is unlikely to disappoint anyone willing to look past some of its minor faults.