The new Tactics system in EA Sports FC 27 is being called the best addition in years, giving players real-world tactical depth they can actually put to use. The game is also introducing a hub called The Grounds, which adds activities and matchmaking to the package. So far, though, reviewers say that while the tactics work well, The Grounds remains unfinished and has drawn sharp criticism.
The review, titled “EA Sports FC 27 Review So Far,” splits the verdict cleanly between the two halves of the release. The strategy tools are described as “easily the best addition,” while the hub world is dismissed as a solution to a problem that didn’t exist.
The Tactics System Finally Delivers
The review centers on the expanded Tactics system, which hands players much greater authority over how their squads act across various stages of play. Instead of sticking with simple formations and directions, the system delves into why certain approaches work, what advantages they carry, and where they fall short. That information makes it simpler to build a scheme that suits the qualities of specific players.
A Manchester United supporter observed that a more cautious defensive setup proved particularly effective for Noussair Mazraoui. The player’s deliberate manner allows him to hold his ground and break up plays without continually moving away from his position. A short-passing buildup also provides him with opportunities to employ his technical skill without leaving behind that defensive arrangement.
Mid-match flexibility is where the system shines. Against Crystal Palace, the reviewer noticed the opposition was leaving space along the wings, so he switched to a 4-2-2-2 formation. That let Bruno Fernandes operate between the lines and thread passes to a striker such as Benjamin Sesko, creating opportunities for quick combinations and finishes through the middle.
The review of the match against Manchester City involved a change in shape. Because City’s side took hold of the wings, the system became a 4-2-3-1 wide formation. This alteration brought Fernandes into a more central position, allowing him to take charge of play and link up with holding midfielders like Kobbie Mainoo through fast give-and-go exchanges.
The Instructions That Add Depth
Adding distinct instructions for ball control and protection gives the setup more depth. Player Roles let each individual on the field carry out particular duties inside a given formation. Rather than merely putting a player into a spot and hoping they act accordingly, the reviewer can now craft a role that matches the exact contribution he desires from each person.
For example, in a 4-2-3-1 wide formation with Benjamin Šeško on the right side, the role can be adjusted depending on the circumstances. As an inside forward, Šeško can cut inward to create shooting opportunities or provide another passing option for Fernandes, while a wider role allows him to stretch the defense and open space through the middle.
When it comes to defending a lead, the options available include letting Šeško take on more defensive work. That move allows him to drop back and support the right back, which gives the team another means of protecting that flank without having to sacrifice its attacking shape.
The system is particularly valuable because it teaches the strategy behind soccer formations without overwhelming players with unnecessary information. EA Sports FC 27 does a good job explaining why different shapes work, which players suit them, and how to adjust them against different opponents. That makes the tactical aspect approachable while still leaving experienced players plenty of room to experiment.
The Hub World That Doesn’t Work
Where the review grows critical is with the Grounds, the open-world feature that adds activities and a communal online mode. The reviewer contends that such a design isn’t necessary for delivering what players want. A set of simple menus dedicated to the same purpose would work just as well, and in a more efficient way.
The framerate drops and awkward character movements did little to draw the reviewer into the hub, leaving no reason to excuse it. The problems grow worse still with a steady stream of unskippable cutscenes and NBA 2K15-level voice work that define the world around it.
What’s odd is that the reviewer was genuinely enthusiastic about the new hub world at first, since it brought back one of his favorite FIFA characters from The Journey story mode: Alex Hunter, voiced once again by Adetomiwa Edun, who first appeared in FIFA 17 and FIFA 18. That excitement faded fast, though, after Hunter started talking.
Hunter’s delivery feels noticeably more rigid and detached than it did during his original story. The reviewer found himself grateful that his created character doesn’t chose to stay quiet so as not to add more awkward exchanges. Matters grew worse when Kylian Mbappe showed up next, delivering his lines with such stiffness and mechanical timing that it was plain he had read his lines straight from a script in one continuous take.
The City Full of Lifeless NPCs
The Grounds features a visually dense, low-resolution city full of lifeless NPCs. Rather than forcing players to run through it simply to find a game mode to launch, the reviewer points out that the same goal could be achieved with simpler menus, which would work far more efficiently.
The reviewer’s early verdict on the hub is not a positive one. However, they intend to spend more time with the online portion this weekend before forming a final judgment.
The Comparison Between the Two Halves
| Feature | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Tactics System | Real-world tactical depth, mid-match flexibility, player roles, approachable for newcomers | None noted |
| The Grounds | Active lobby for matchmaking, easier to find other players | Unskippable cutscenes, poor voice acting, framerate drops, unnatural animations |
Key Facts Box
- Game: EA Sports FC 27
- Review: In-progress review titled “EA Sports FC 27 Review So Far”
- Tactics System: Praised as “easily the best addition”
- Hub world: Called The Grounds
- Alex Hunter: Voiced by Adetomiwa Edun, returning character from FIFA 17 and FIFA 18
- Kylian Mbappe: Featured voice actor, described as stiff and mechanical
- Manchester United fan: Reviewer’s stated allegiance
The Review’s Split Assessment
The review’s conclusion is clear: the tactics system is a genuine step forward, but the open-world hub is a step backward. The reviewer’s frustration is palpable, and the comparison between the two features is stark.
Tactics is praised for capturing real-world tactics in a clear, easy-to-understand manner. Grounds, however, is seen as a fix for an issue that never needed fixing, with voice work that misses its mark and visuals that stumble.
Throughout the review, the tone remains wry, balancing acknowledgment of progress with recognition of shortcomings. The tactics system receives genuine praise, yet the hub world raises questions about whether EA is addressing a problem that never existed.
This review’s closing look at the online portion of The Grounds may resolve some of these questions, but for now the judgment stands that the central gathering place has failed to make a convincing case for itself.
A strong concept can fail when it isn’t carried out well, and that lesson applies to EA Sports FC 27. The game’s Tactics system offers real power, yet the open-world hub shows that ambition without polish can move things backward rather than forward.
The verdict on the two halves is now settled. The tactics system stands out as the standout feature, easily the finest addition in recent years, while the hub world comes across as a missed chance.
Source material: “EA Sports FC 27 Review So Far,” IGN.
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