Games Inbox: Is EA Sports FC 26 going to be a flop?

Metro

30-06-2025

The Monday letters page asks for recommendations for games similar to Firewatch, as one reader asks if the PS5 is still worth getting.
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A new challenger
I've been playing Rematch quite a bit and I agree with your review. You can tell it's new, because of the lack of features, but I do think it has a chance of becoming something special. Even right now it is a rival to EA Sports FC, and I've found myself playing it more. Although you could say that's simply because it's new.
However, knowing that EA Sports FC 25 sold so badly that EA ended up cutting hundreds of jobs, I wonder if Rematch is going to make things even harder for EA Sports FC 26. Could it even be a genuine flop, compared to how much it cost to make and what the series (or rather FIFA) usually does?
In my opinion, EA Sports FC is not a good game and it doesn't deserve to be hyper successful just because it's got all the official rights. If it wasn't for that people wouldn't be interested at all. Once again, we see that competition is good, especially as EA has never done the non-professional side of football well – the whole jumpers for goalposts bit.
Camphor
Old news
Interesting to hear that the rumours about Resident Evil Requiem being open world weren't wrong, they were just old. I think that probably happens more than we realise, where people are told outdated information and there's no way for them to know. I can imagine publishers even allowing the information to get out there, so they can judge whether people are into the idea or not.
Apparently fans weren't keen on open world, so that got axed. However, I think that means that nothing about the game actually leaked in the end. I certainly don't remember anything about it staring the daughter of someone from Outbreak, so well done to Capcom for keeping the secret until now.
Lenticular
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GC: The fact that the open world had been dropped did leak before the reveal. But you're right that no information about the new version of the game made it out, with insiders still suggesting the main character was going to be Leon S. Kennedy.
A good run
My last run of games (mostly for around £20 via PS Plus/Extra) has been RoboCop: Rogue City, Jusant, Cocoon, Dying Light 2, Dave The Diver, Blue Prince, Balatro, and now Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. All pretty varied, and all excellent.
Cheers for the reviews, which have pointed me towards a couple that I wouldn't have otherwise picked up. Let's hope the good games keep on coming.
Matt (he_who_runs_away – PSN ID)
GC: Thank you. That is a good line-up of games.
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Further watching
Recently, I returned to Firewatch, after a while on my Xbox, as it was my go-to relaxing game to play on occasion. The more I thought about the story the more it made sense. It's kind of sad in a way. The story builds up to something but in the end it just shows two middle-aged people trying to escape their reality and yearning for some mystery and excitement in their lives, out of the events that unfold in the game.
My brother who, is only a retro gamer as he hates modern games, is addicted to Firewatch. He's replayed it dozens of times. It's the only game released in the last 10 years he will play. It's a shame Campo Santo was bought by Valve and has gone silent. I hate the way that happens in the game industry, when small indie developers get swallowed up and their output grinds to a halt.
I'm wondering what other games on Xbox are similar? I have looked at Return To Grace and The Invincible but don't know what else is there. Could you recommend?
Icelticghost
GC: Campo Santo were meant to be making something called In the Valley Of Gods but it got put on indefinite hold. As for other recommendations, perhaps What Remains Of Edith Finch, Oxenfree, Kentucky Route Zero, or the original Life Is Strange?
Original hardware
The reason why I've still got an Xbox 360 is I like playing classic older games and not having to search if a game is backwards compatible.
I also have an Xbox One X and an Xbox Series X. Next gen consoles have come on leaps and bounds, as future consoles will continue to do so but I have a backwards compatibility library that I like to dip into now and again.
Steve (ImDagger211 – gamertag)
GC: Do you find there are many that aren't backwards compatible? That's one of the Xbox's best features.
Favourite franchise
In celebration of numerous lauded and acclaimed gaming franchises, that have resonated with various gamers across the globe. I'd like to list my 10 all-time favourite video game franchises
10. Resident Evil – a horror monolith. It has been reinvented numerous times, been lauded, been criticised, and yet it continues to flourish. As one of the longest running franchises of all time it is truly a testament to Capcom's continuing vision. I expect this to continue with Resident Evil Requiem.
9. Metal Gear Solid – a revolutionary stealth and cinematic odyssey; the brainchild of Hideo Kojima continues to be rightfully celebrated (the fifth game is a disappointment, however)
8. Mass Effect – storied characters, consequential choices, and an intergalactic voyage make this science fiction trilogy a masterstroke in space opera storytelling, but Andromeda is a disappointment.
7. Uncharted – Nathan Drake is one of my favourite characters. Naughty Dog's masterful blend of platformer, set pieces, and vibrant action lend well to a fantastic franchise
6. God Of War – cinematically electrifying and brutally splendours. The transition of Kratos from a vengeful warrior to a hardened father is told through a myriad of excellent titles.
5. Persona – Atlus' Japanese role-playing flagship is host to some of the greatest role-playing games, to date. I eagerly await the sixth instalment
4. Grand Theft Auto – a franchise that I grew up with as a child. It continues to evolve with each title and when the highly anticipated sixth game releases in 2026 I can only imagine the hours I will spend in Leonida.
3. Dark Souls/Soulsborne – it was a toss-up between Souls and Elder Scrolls, but whilst Bethesda take steps backward, FromSoftware continues to flourish. From Demon's Souls to Elden Ring it truly is a marvellous franchise and one I will continue to love dearly.
2. The Legend Of Zelda – truly magical and fantastically beautiful, Zelda is truly and unequivocally one of a kind. It's Nintendo's greatest triumph and I yearn to one day experience the majesty that is Ocarina Of Time. Zelda will forever remain special to me.
1. Final Fantasy – what else could it truly be but the greatest Japanese role-playing franchise ever made. A series of excellently crafted titles. Several examples of musical elegance. The foundations laid for turn-based gameplay. Several memorable characters, such as Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, and Sin. Revolutionising pixel graphics.
A franchise that continues to evolve, even after 38 years. It is Final Fantasy and it is my favourite franchise. The only blight, however, is Final Fantasy 16. That will never deter me though. I always will remain an admirer of Square Enix's grandeur collection. Thank you for reading.
Shahzaib Sadiq
Mixed messages
After a load more layoffs by Microsoft are said to be on the way, I wonder how the judge that allowed the buyout to go ahead feels? I mean, in their eyes Call Of Duty wasn't that much of a big game, and she couldn't see a problem with the deal going ahead.
Well, now she should see thousands laid off for no reason other than to bring profits up. I must be honest; whoever allowed the deal to go ahead they made a fantastic decision to allow the deal to go through.
David
GC: That last sentence doesn't seem to match the rest of what you were saying.
Late to the party
I currently own a PS4 Pro, which my wife bought me for a gift back when it was released.
I also have an Xbox Series X (which funny enough she also bought me for my 50th birthday) and I use the Xbox nearly every day, if I have the time, but the PlayStation 4 not so much.
My problem is that despite being very, very late to the party I'm thinking about getting a PlayStation 5.
Not sure why all of a sudden. Right now, I have a fear of missing out, but I can't shake the notion from my tired old head!
Does anyone think this is a good thing to do? Should I invest in the more expensive Pro version again or do I wait it out and go for the PlayStation 6?
I know I'm old, but I've always enjoyed my gaming since way, way back in the days of the Atari 2600.
Honestly, can someone help? If you think it's a bad idea, I'll definitely listen to your opinion. I guess I just need to hear someone say it! My poor wife doesn't care if I do or not, I guess she just goes along with my fads!
Thanks in advance.
LilleyJnr
GC: When buying hardware, the simple question should always be: what games do you want to play on it? If it's a long list, then it may be a good idea for you.
Inbox also-rans
I own three different copies of GTA 5 too. There's no shame in it. It not only gets better each time but also cheaper!
Banko
Open world bicycle adventure game Wheel World looks interesting. It's out on the 23rd of July, any plans to review it?
Simundo
GC: Perhaps, but it's a bit early to say right now.
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