EA Sports FC 26 PS 5 In-Depth Review

As a longtime player of this franchise, I have come to expect a lot from each new entry. EA Sports FC 26 made a great first impression and has remained one of the most seamless, responsive, and engaging versions I have ever played. I have the experience of playing several versions to remember. I hit the new instalments every year expecting improvements and, with FC 26, my experience tells me I have received not only improvements, but significant ones.

Gameplay Feel and Responsiveness Is Better Than Ever

For me, the smoothness of the gameplay is the most crucial factor, and FC 26 has taken it to another level. The passing is seamless, and the ball physics, while not perfect, is definitely more believable than the last edition. The control of the players is smooth, and they seem to respond to my commands almost instantly, with no perceivable lag or concealed animations to slow things down. The system encourages quick thinking and clever play, as the game’s design has no unpredictable bounces or poorly executed AI interferences. This is the design philosophy that keeps me playing every year.

For defending, there is another AI improvement. Defending AI doesn’t just sit there waiting for me to walk into the box. They now passively engage, making more realistic challenges and pressing higher. They cut off passing lanes and require genuine consideration to determine how I will advance. While it does bring tighter control in the center of the pitch, the increased AI stimulation requires more skill and is far more rewarding.

AI Attack Strategies and Evasion Mechanics Are Much Improved

The AI, as expected late 2025, has also made great improvements on the attacking end, although it still focuses heavily on central plays. The CPU predictably pushes forward through the middle rather than using the wings, which is why matches feel somewhat predictable. On the other hand, I feel more confident that, after putting in more time, I will see more varied styles. I enjoy witnessing AI attackers widen the pitch and cross the ball. More importantly, the AI has made great improvements in the logic of the runs, the sharpness of the positioning, and the predictability of my striker on whether he will take the run I expect.

I prefer to see the scoreline rise, clearly indicating that players are making proper mechanics to avoid slow, lifeless contests, where the AI dictates the outcome. This is the great improvement on FC 26: the fast, fluid, and true-to-the-sport gameplay.

The Tactical View Camera Brings Something New That Seems Useful

The new tactical camera is new and useful for those who buy PS5 sports games and have an affinity, above average, for visuals and tactics. It redefines the game experience from the instant you assume control. The way the camera tracks the flow of the game, gently zooming out for a bird's eye view and closely tracking the action for realism, is extraordinary. I'm more decisive, identify runs more clearly, and adopt a more strategic approach because I can view the game in a tactical fashion.

Ultimate Team Progression Is Highly Rewarding As Always

This year, Ultimate Team has been super rewarding for me. I feel that there is a lower power curve. In the beginning, squads don't feel completely powerless versus the foremost lineups, and that makes improving my club through gameplay that much more enjoyable. I can keep playing without microtransactions instead of having to focus on earning rewards, completing objectives, and building my team step by step. That sense of progression is what has kept me so loyal to the series, and EA Sports FC 26 shows respect for time more than ever.

There is a lot of seasonal content and live events that cover a lot of different paths, so there is a ton of variation for players to progress. From quick play challenges to more extensive squad-building objectives, there is something for everyone that doesn’t feel empty, and every piece of content makes it so that I never feel trapped in a monotonous gameplay loop.

Career and Offline Modes Got Upgrades

Even though I spend most of my hours on Ultimate Team, I also fit in some time on Career Mode and Clubs, and I’ve seen my time on them pay off in value. Career feels like it lives and breathes with the more responsive AI, while Clubs is a social hub more than ever, complete with improved matchmaking and extended customisation for squad builds with friends. For players with a more casual long-term team-building or role-playing management focus, the offline experience provides a complement to the competitive grind and is something substantial to dig into.

Customization and Presentation Do Not Seem Changed

If there’s one area where I felt slightly underwhelmed, it’s in the customization for players. The accessories and boots still haven’t seen much shifting, and while I’m sure there’s some new pieces here and there, most of it is old stuff from last year. For players who love spending time on squad personalisation, this feels like a missed opportunity. But, this remains a minor derailing in contrast to the other visible advances in the structure. The animations are seamless, the lighting is crisp, the stadium presentations are clean, and the atmosphere makes every match feel important. The tactical camera does its job and adds to the experience. Undoubtedly, this is the best-looking FC game to date.

Technical Performance You Can Bet On

On the performance side, I do not experience any technical issues. I do not have crashes, lag, twitching, or connection issues, just pure gameplay. The game has a stable performance on my configuration, and I consider it one of the most stable releases I have had in years. Others reporting technical issues may have a personal hardware problem or a connection problem. EA Sports FC 26 has been smooth in every match I played, and the smooth performance has helped a lot with the overall feel of the game. That is a stable performance.

My Closing Thoughts About EA Sports FC 26

Spending an hour with EA Sports FC 26 left me with a really positive impression of this game. The improvements to AI of both attackers and defenders, along with Ultimate Team’s game progression balance, make the grind for progression feel equitable, enjoyable, and exempt from microtransaction purchase pressure. While I understand the desire for deeper AI customization options, I still don't think these concerns outweigh the positives. If you buy cheap PS5 games, know this: FC 26 is no longer a simple game. The sheer content is rewarding, and the game is most affordable. I’ve felt EA Sports FC 26 really exceeds last year's game in every key metric. After many years with the series, I feel a sense of excitement that is rare. Still, I feel very positive about EA Sports FC 26.