With the release of College Football 25, excitement was high among fans, some even going so far as to invest in new consoles just to get their hands on the game. As a long-time football video game enthusiast, I have experienced both highs and lows with this latest installment. While College Football 25 excels in on-field action and presentation, several off-field issues diminish the overall experience. Here’s a detailed look at what works, what doesn’t, and what might be improved.
On-Field Excellence
College Football 25 stands out with its impressive graphics and gameplay. EA Orlando has clearly put significant effort into making the on-field action as realistic and engaging as possible. The visuals are striking—players’ sweat, exceptional lighting, and detailed animations all contribute to a more immersive experience. Unique team intros, mascot celebrations, and cheerleader performances add to the game's personality, capturing the essence of college football's pageantry and tradition.
Gameplay has also seen notable improvements. The game runs faster and smoother than its predecessors, with quicker plays and more nimble player movements. The revamped passing system offers a learning curve but rewards precision with a better mix of throw arc and accuracy. For those preferring the familiar Madden controls, they are still available. Throw power now impacts ball speed and force, while pump fakes have been enhanced for more realistic play.
The addition of new features, such as 12 hot route options for receivers and improved custom stem options, further enriches gameplay. A small but significant quality of life change allows the game to automatically run down the clock when taking a knee in a mathematically over game.
Underwhelming Modes and UI Issues
Despite the strong on-field performance, College Football 25 falters significantly with its modes and user interface. The game offers several modes, including Play Now, Road to the College Football Playoffs, Road to Glory, Dynasty, and College Ultimate Team. However, many of these modes feel underdeveloped and lack depth.
The UI, in particular, is a major disappointment. Key information about player wear and tear and stamina is poorly displayed, often making it hard to discern what’s happening on the field. The automated hat count from Madden is missing, and stamina indicators are represented by small, unclear icons. The UI issues extend to the in-game commentary and bugs, such as persistent hot spots in drills and inaccurate commentary, which detract from the overall experience.
Road to Glory, while offering some fun with mini-games and player progression, becomes repetitive quickly. The lack of meaningful in-game cutscenes and limited play call options can make playing as a quarterback feel restrictive and frustrating.
Dynasty mode, a highlight for many, also falls short. It offers a decent foundation for managing a team and recruiting players but becomes tedious due to its repetitive nature. The absence of direct player management or training makes the mode feel more like a series of menu tasks rather than an engaging coaching experience.
Ultimate Team and Tutorials
College Football 25’s focus on Ultimate Team, with its emphasis on microtransactions and slot machine mechanics, is a major point of contention. The replacement of the skills trainer with Ultimate Team challenges, which are more about monetization than education, is a step backward. The lack of useful tutorials and fundamental mechanics guidance means new players will likely have to seek outside resources to understand the game’s deeper systems.
Conclusion
College Football 25 offers a solid foundation with its engaging on-field action and impressive visuals. However, the game’s shortcomings in UI design, mode depth, and tutorial support prevent it from reaching its full potential. If you’re a fan of college football looking for a visually stunning and dynamically engaging game, you’ll find a lot to enjoy. However, if you’re expecting a well-rounded experience with robust modes and user-friendly design, you might be disappointed.
As the game matures and future updates are released, there’s hope that some of these issues will be addressed. For now, College Football 25 stands as a game with great potential but also significant room for improvement.
For more sports game reviews, check out our coverage of Top Spin 2K2 and F1 Manager 2024. For everything else in gaming, keep it here at IGN.
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