EA College Football 25 Review
College Football 25 has arrived, and with it, the return of an iconic franchise. Was it worth the 11-year wait? My full review.
After an over decade-long hiatus, EA Sports College Football 25 has finally returned, and it was worth the wait. The series began in the late '90s and has been a staple for college football fans, offering a unique blend of authenticity and excitement. The franchise took a long break due to legal issues with player likeness and the need for a complete overhaul. It left quite a void for college football fans, forcing them to turn to 2013’s “NCAA Football 14” for years.
"This revival aimed to capture the magic of college football while leveraging next-gen technology, and it hit the mark."
Fast forward to 2024, and EA Sports has brought back the college football gaming experience in a big way. This revival aimed to capture the magic of college football while leveraging next-gen technology, and it hit the mark. Let’s delve into what makes CFB 25 the most dynamic and satisfying on-field football experience to come along in years.
EA College Football 25 Details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Reviewed on: PS5
Developer: EA Orlando
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports Simulation
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
College Football 25 Gameplay
The gameplay in College Football 25 is easily its strongest point; it feels fast, fluid and dynamic. CFB 25 introduces several new mechanics that enhance the overall on-field experience, which I really enjoyed. One of the standout features is the “CampusIQ” system, which offers strategic gameplay that reflects the true depth of college football. The pre-snap recognition feature allows you to read the field, adding a layer of strategy missing in previous iterations and other football games. The home-field advantage mechanic also gives the host team a tangible gameplay edge, making away games more challenging and realistic. Overall, the gameplay feels dynamic, faster and more engaging, capturing the essence of college football.
Wear and Tear Injury System
The Wear and Tear Injury System adds more realism to the game. You need to manage your team’s health, limit fatigue, and assess the risk of injury by making strategic substitutions. This feature adds depth to the gameplay and mirrors the real-life challenges college football coaches face. It’s a game-changer that makes decisions on the field feel significant and impactful, especially if you run your team through a full season or Dynasty mode.
College Football 25 graphics and performance
Visually, College Football 25 is one of the best-looking sports games on the market. The game leverages next-gen technology to deliver great graphics, plenty of detail, and smooth performance. You can see the sweat on individual players, and the lighting is exceptional, bringing a new level of realism to the gridiron. Player movement also looks great with varied and natural animations, making the on-field action look incredibly realistic. In addition to this, the overall presentation is impressive, capturing the atmosphere and excitement of college football.
A variety of game modes
However, while the gameplay and visuals are great, the game modes are somewhat bare bones, lacking the depth and variety I hoped for. Dynasty Mode lets you take on the role of a coach, managing everything from recruiting players to game strategy. There is a lot of depth and realism, but I found some options a little overwhelming initially. After a while, I got the hang of it, but it might be too much to keep new players engaged.
Road to Glory: The College Student Experience
I really enjoyed “Road to Glory,” which puts you in the shoes of a player navigating the life of a student-athlete. You can pick your starting point in your career, from a Superstar to clawing your way up from underdog status. It’s immersive and personal, but the added responsibilities of managing academics and social life can get tedious after a while. Not to mention, all the interactions happen on a mock messaging app; you are pointing and clicking your way through the story, so it’s hard to connect with what felt like multiple choice options and little emotional draw.
Build Your Ultimate Team
Ultimate Team lets you build your dream college team by collecting player cards and competing in challenges. While it’s exciting and offers a lot of replayability, it can be frustrating if you don’t want to spend extra money on in-game purchases. Outside of that, credit where it's due, I really enjoyed my time with Ultimate Team despite always being needled to pay for extras.
College Football Playoff Mode
Road to the College Football Playoff is a one-season mode focusing on getting your team to the championship. It’s straightforward and great for quick play sessions but lacks the depth of the other modes. Lastly, “Play Now” is perfect if you want to jump straight into a game without any fuss, though it doesn’t offer much in terms of long-term engagement.
Audio and Sound Design
The audio and sound design in EA Sports College Football 25 is equally impressive. The game features over 180 school band songs and drum grooves, including all 134 fight songs. The commentary is dynamic and engaging, adding to the immersive experience. The crowd reactions are also well-executed, reflecting the highs and lows of a real college football game. There are certain team-specific sounds that use a bit more polish, but for the most part, the gameday audio is on point. Overall, the sound design enhances the game’s authenticity, making you feel right in the stadium.
Final Thoughts on College Football 25
EA Sports College Football 25 is an exciting return for the beloved franchise. The game successfully captures the spirit of college football, offering engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and great presentation. While some areas could use improvements, such as the depth of game modes and certain audio elements, the overall experience is great. This game is a must-have for college football fans, and it sets a solid foundation for future iterations.
EA College Football 25 PROS
+Engaging and dynamic gameplay
+Stunning graphics and realistic animations
+Immersive audio and sound design
EA College Football 25 CONS
-Game modes are somewhat bare-bones
-Certain team-specific logos, sounds, and player likeness need more polish
-User interface could be more intuitive
Overall Assessment of EA College Football 25
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Replayability: 8/10
Overall Rating: 33/40 (83%)
A copy of the game was provided by EA Sports for the purpose of this review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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