After an 11-year hiatus, EA Sports has finally resurrected its beloved college football video game franchise with the release of College Football 25. The game, which hit shelves on July 17, 2024, has been met with a mix of excitement and scepticism from fans and critics alike.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll take a closer look at the game’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on the sports gaming landscape.
Presentation and Visuals: A New Standard
One of the most immediately noticeable aspects of College Football 25 is its stunning visual presentation. The game boasts incredibly detailed player models, realistic uniforms, and a level of graphical fidelity that sets a new standard for sports games.
The attention to detail extends beyond the players themselves, with impressive crowd animations, dynamic weather effects, and beautifully rendered stadiums that capture the unique atmosphere of each college football program.
The game’s presentation is further enhanced by its impressive array of team-specific traditions and celebrations. From the iconic “Sweet Caroline” sing-along at Pitt to the “Meow” sound effect that blares after a big play, College Football 25 goes to great lengths to capture the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make each college football experience unique.
Gameplay: A Familiar Feel with a Fresh Twist
For longtime fans of the NCAA Football series, the gameplay in College Football 25 will feel immediately familiar. The game utilizes a similar control scheme and camera angle to its predecessors, with a focus on realistic physics, responsive controls, and a wide variety of offensive and defensive plays.
However, the game also introduces several new gameplay elements that help set it apart from previous entries in the series. The “Wear-and-Tear” system, for example, simulates the physical toll that a game takes on players, with fatigue and injuries becoming more prevalent as the contest progresses.
This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully manage their roster and make substitutions to keep their team fresh and competitive. Another notable addition is the game’s emphasis on unique playbooks and styles.
Each team in College Football 25 has its own distinct offensive and defensive schemes, with a wide variety of formations and plays to choose from. This encourages players to tailor their strategy to their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Game Modes: A Mixed Bag
One of the most disappointing aspects of College Football 25 is its relatively sparse selection of game modes. While the game does feature a robust “Dynasty” mode that allows players to take control of a college football program for up to 30 seasons, other modes like “Road to Glory” and “Ultimate Team” feel underdeveloped and lacking in depth.
The “Ultimate Team” mode, in particular, has drawn criticism for its heavy emphasis on microtransactions and its decision to lock all tutorial content behind a paywall. This decision feels particularly egregious given the game’s lack of a dedicated tutorial mode, which can make it difficult for newcomers to get a handle on the game’s mechanics and systems.
The Bottom Line
Despite its flaws, College Football 25 is a solid entry in the long-running series that will undoubtedly delight fans of college football and sports games in general. The game’s stunning visuals, responsive gameplay, and deep Dynasty mode make it a must-play for any fan of the sport.
However, the game’s lack of game modes and heavy reliance on microtransactions in its Ultimate Team mode are significant drawbacks that prevent it from being a true standout in the sports gaming genre. Ultimately, whether or not College Football 25 is worth your time and money will depend on your personal preferences and expectations as a gamer.
