The end of the fall sports gaming season often coincides with the release of EA Sports FC. The developers tend to wait a few weeks into the European football seasons to ensure they include all the summer transfers, which I guess shows some level of restraint. It seems less about building anticipation and more about providing an up-to-date experience for fans right off the bat. This year’s release, FC 27, brings several noticeable improvements—both in gameplay on the field and within a newly introduced hub. However, we seem to have reached a phase in the series where minor tweaks are prioritized over completely reinventing the approach.
This concept of “refinement” often gets confused with just updating the roster in the eyes of fans, and frankly, that tends to carry a negative connotation. It implies a lack of effort, as if they’re just rehashing the same game. While it’s true that FC 27 is more about evolution than revolution, there have been intelligent updates throughout that make it feel significantly better than the last version.
The marketing around FC 27 heavily emphasizes “The Grounds,” which serves as an open-world hub for online play—it’s borrowed a lot from the city structure in the NBA 2K games. It’s not a bad approach, really; running around the three distinct regions that capture football culture from the U.K., France, and Argentina can be quite enjoyable. In this space, you can create a character and join informal street soccer games or participate in larger competitions and various challenges, like kicking a ball at targets scattered across the area to earn outfits and accessories for your avatar.
As for the environment, The Grounds feels more realistic compared to the vibrant, often overwhelming city in NBA 2K. It trades the neon glitz for more authentic streets. But here’s the kicker: it sometimes feels a bit lifeless. During my gameplay, I noticed a lack of player characters, which made it feel less like a lively community and more like a barren space filled with NPCs. Plus, these NPCs don’t really interact with you at all; I kicked a ball right at one while he was chatting, and he didn’t bat an eye. It’s a little annoying and gives a sense that The Grounds is not as dynamic as it could be. Still, it’s a refreshing change from just a quick-play menu, and it’s easy to lose track of time exploring the city for hidden targets.
