PlayStyles are killing EA FC 25 – but there's still a way to fix gameplay issues

Daily Mirror

15-05-2025

PlayStyles have massively changed the gameplay in EA FC 25, but I'm starting to fear it's for the worse
PlayStyles have quickly become the most important factor when looking to use a player in EA FC 25, but it's got to a point where we rely on them too much, and something has to change.
During the FIFA era, pace was the most important stat in the game. In EA FC 24, the 'Lengthy Meta' controlled what players were best to use. And now, in EA FC 25, PlayStyles are the best way to decide what players to use, but unlike these past metas, it's got to a point where if your players don't have the correct PlayStyles, then they are almost useless in-game.
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Introduced in EA FC 24, PlayStyles were added to the EA Sports FC series, with EA Sports claiming that PlayStyles go "beyond overall ratings" to make players special. In other words, they are power-ups that can make players better than stats suggest at certain parts of the game.
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Since EA FC 24, we've seen a host of different metas come and go, and each one has revolved around a PlayStyle. From Anticipate being the best in the game in EA FC 24 to Power Shot in the early stages of EA FC 25, some have always been better than others, but right now, it's got to the point where it feels like stats don't matter – if you haven't got the PlayStyle, you're screwed.
PlayStyles were meant to elevate – now they dominate
Over the last few months, PlayStyles have become the most important part of EA FC 25, and it's proving to be incredibly frustrating. It doesn't matter if a striker has 95 or higher shooting; if they don't have the Finesse Shot or Low Driven Shot PlayStyle, they are almost unusable.
Now, it's got to the point where if I were to attempt a finesse shot or close-range shot with a player who doesn't have any of these PlayStyles, nine times out of 10, it's not going in.
A prime example of PlayStyles overriding stats I've experienced was using TOTS Tabitha Chawinga. She may have 99 pace and regular Quick Step and Rapid PlayStyles, but whenever she came up against a defender with Quick Step or Rapid PlayStyle Plus', regardless of their pace, she was always beaten to the ball.
But, despite her having just 86 passing, she was getting more assists than anyone in my team. Why? She has Incisive PlayStyle Plus. It's also bizarre that players without the Tiki Taka PlayStyle regularly struggle to complete five-yard, first-time passes, especially considering it's one of the simplest skills in football.
To really put this to the test, I jumped onto Clubs and created an 89-rated attacking midfielder with 93 passing and zero PlayStyles. I also created an 81-rated attacking midfielder, with this version having Incisive and Tiki Taka PlayStyle Plus', as well as Pinged Pass and Long Ball Plus PlayStyles.
I really struggled to create any chances with my 89-rated pro, despite his incredible passing stats. On the other hand, the 81-rated pro was racking up the assists, with the PlayStyles elevating him to outperform a player with much better passing stats.
But, there is potentially a way to fix this. I think for EA FC 26 to be a hit gameplay-wise, EA needs to scrap regular PlayStyles. It's gotten to a point where if a player doesn't have a regular PlayStyle, they cannot complete that command, so getting rid of regular PlayStyles would see stats start to matter again and allow all players to complete more basic mechanics.
But, I would still keep PlayStyle Plus' and revert to how PlayStyles were sold to us by EA when they were released. Simply use PlayStyles to enhance certain parts of the game rather than control it.