The FC 25 Season Finale Update is available to download now, and while it brings a host of welcome improvements, it begs the question as to why it has almost taken nine months for EA to get things right.
Becoming the 15th Title Update for FC 25 since the game's launch back in September last year, the Season Finale Update has introduced major changes to gameplay, including the accuracy of headers and ground passes, as well as a refreshed UI for Career Mode.
Although many will quite rightfully view the latest update as a step in the right direction, it should also come as a potential warning sign for the future, and FC 26 in particular.
Latest FC 25 Update Is Concerning for Future Games
Before I expand on this, I can't fault EA's efforts when it comes to Title Updates and patches. The developers have worked hard to improve FC 25 throughout its cycle, and the regular updates have played a key role in its progress along the way.
Whether the amount of updates is perceived as a good thing or a bad thing will no doubt vary, and while I appreciate the team for addressing issues based on community feedback, it always baffles me when major changes and improvements are made towards the end of a game's cycle.
Don't get me wrong, better late than never and all that, but when major gameplay elements and menu UI are still having to be adjusted nearly nine months down the line, it's not a particularly good look.
There's that, and then the lack of hope it provides fans ahead of the release of FC 26. Of course, EA may have learned its lesson and put better mechanics in place for when the new game drops, or we'll find ourselves in a similar situation this time next year. I know which outcome I'm leaning towards!
On the plus side, FC 26 is set to feature scanned and authentic stadiums for all 20 Premier League clubs at launch, so that makes a nice change. However, long-term players will also know that the release won't come without its hiccups, with bugs, glitches, and balancing-related issues becoming a frequent part of recent entries, both at and post-launch.
Sadly, the FIFA and EA FC community has become accustomed to paying $50-$100 for an unpolished, poorly executed game in recent years. While FC 25 was somewhat better, the fact that important tweaks are still being made today says it all.
The new Season Finale Update has gone down well with players, but can we please get to a point where most, if not all, of these changes are already in place when FC 26 comes along? We don't expect it to be perfect, but we should expect it to be in the strongest, most enjoyable state upon release at the very least.
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