The first reviews for EA Sports FC 27 are now in, and the early reception is clearly divided. While some outlets praise the more skill-based gameplay and improvements across several modes, others feel the changes fall short of expectations.
6.8
Average Score (adjusted)
Confidence: Medium
Highly divisive
Reviews: 6
Top Review: Destructoid (9.0)
Spread: 7.0
⭐ 9 / 10
Destructoid concludes EA FC 27 is the best FC since 2023 and finally a game of skill and talent. Pros: heavily nerfed defensive AI rewarding manual jockeying and tackling, reworked attacking AI with better curved and central runs, reduced PlayStyle impact, more Ultimate Team coins, offline Live Events, The Grounds as a strong casual mode with cosmetic-only monetization and seamless Pro Clubs integration, deeper Career Mode with installment transfers, modern clauses, Black Swan events and custom challenges, better console performance, and high difficulty that rewards mastery. Cons: the new corner system risks being exploitable, a tougher early grind, uncertain coin economy after the first seasons, and the precedent of FC 26's post-launch AI buffs leaving doubts about gameplay stability.
⭐ 4 / 5
Daily Star concludes EA Sports FC 27 is the number one soccer game this year, scoring it 4 out of 5. Pros: The Grounds as a fun community-driven open-world social space for 1v1s, minigames and Rush, a big Clubs update with Leagues, Playoffs and 11v11 Tournaments, gameplay improvements with better spatial awareness, curved runs and momentum dribbling, redesigned set pieces, easier tackling, sharper keepers, more player personality, deeper transfer market, and superb visuals. Cons: The Grounds feels gimmicky with unproven long-term potential, and the main game is largely an annual iteration with minor tweaks.
⭐ 3.5 / 5
The Independent concludes EA Sports FC 27 is not The Grounds-breaking but still fun, a solid football game. Pros: The Grounds as an enjoyable social playground with distinct districts and engaging minigames, a revamped Career Mode transfer system with multi-week negotiations and bidding wars, dynamic ratings, more skill-based through balls with smarter runs, easier tackling, and better player models. Cons: The Grounds isn't groundbreaking and echoes NBA 2K's The City, Ultimate Team is mostly unchanged and still microtransaction-heavy, tackling tweaks overcorrected so the ball sticks to defenders, Authentic mode is slow and scrappy with few chances, clipping issues, and familiar presentation.
⭐ 1 / 5
Radio Times concludes EA Sports FC 27 is a new low and calling it supremely disappointing. Pros: almost none, aside from The Grounds being pretty and Mbappé's stilted voice acting being oddly endearing. Cons: worse monetisation with a £139.99 pre-order Ultimate Plus Edition, the most inconsequential gameplay changes in years with AI and dribbling tweaks actually making it worse than FC 26, the same pace-abusing meta and identical-feeling matches, The Grounds as a dull NBA 2K The City knock-off with reskinned mini-games, unchanged Clubs and Career Mode, and £60-70 a year for barely evolved gameplay plus Season Passes.
⭐ 7.5 / 10
XGN concludes EA Sports FC 27 is a very good football game that scores a wonder goal, but the VAR is still holding them back. Pros: significantly better gameplay with computer hand-holding removed, making attacking fun and defending skill-based, the Ultimate Team Gallery mode finally nails the Panini sticker book feeling with permanent cards and good rewards, a more realistic and unpredictable Career Mode transfer market built with TransferRoom, and Player Career rivalries adding depth. Cons: The Grounds feels disappointing and half-baked as little more than a hub, with an early push toward cosmetic spending, pay-to-win remains in Ultimate Team, gameplay still needed more work, and past post-launch patches ruining gameplay leave doubts that these improvements will last.
⭐ 7.5 / 10
Indigo Geek concludes EA Sports FC 27 is essentially "FC 26.5", too continuist, though The Grounds and Liga MX's return give it identity and make it a fuller package, especially for Mexican players. Pros: The Grounds is genuinely different and fun as a social hub with casual minigames, Liga MX returns after four years, solid gameplay, some Ultimate Team improvements, and a strong soundtrack. Cons: very few significant changes from FC 26, microtransactions remain in several modes including The Grounds, minimal visual evolution, bugs in The Grounds minigames, a Season Pass affecting Career and Clubs, and The Grounds being a casual side mode rather than the open-world revolution it suggested.