EA Sports College Football 25 Review - University Of Madden

As a long-time college football fan and avid gamer, I was thrilled when EA Sports announced the return of College Football with their new game, CFB25. Having spent countless hours playing Madden NFL, I was eager to experience a similar game but tailored specifically to college football.


As a long-time gamer who grew up playing NCAA Football series, I can tell you that the day we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived: EA Sports College Football 25 is now in our hands. For those of us who have fond memories of NCAA Football 14 and its predecessors, this moment brings a rush of nostalgia. And for newcomers who have only tasted Madden football, there’s an intriguing sense of discovery.

I was taken aback when I learned that the answer was affirmative. Initially, I assumed it would just be a Madden NFL game with a different skin. But as the first match began, the elaborate presentations and passionate fan culture became clear signs of an entirely new football experience. EA Sports College Football 25 brilliantly captures the essence of attending a college football game. The dynamic and deafening crowds, distinctive university traditions showcased through countless walkouts, and customized stadiums create a unique and exhilarating atmosphere for each school.

I’m truly captivated by the visuals of EA Sports College Football 25. It’s not just the pre-rendered cutscenes that leave me in awe, but the gameplay itself is equally impressive. Every detail, from the pores on players’ skin to the beads of sweat running down their bodies, is rendered with stunning realism. The movement and AI reactivity are more authentic than ever before in Madden, making each collision feel impactful and dynamic.

EA Sports College Football 25 Review - University Of Madden

An illustration of how EA Sports College Football 25 has enhanced movement in its gameplay can be observed particularly in the running game. Runners now gently tap the backs of defenders and maneuver through openings rather than carelessly bumbling into them. Spin moves appear more authentic with a realistic sense of weight and flow. In contrast, defensive plays exhibit greater complexity beyond merely hitting or missing. A powerful defensive end’s tackle is significantly more brutal compared to a swift cornerback’s.

In Madden 24, the passing game has seen significant advancements. The new, more intelligent AI, coupled with the flexible placement pacing, results in challenging catches with minimal room for error. No longer can corners be manually controlled and leap high into the air to easily snatch interceptions right before the play starts. Every interception in EA Sports College Football 25 is a result of solid coverage, strategic playcalling, and exceptional ability.

As a long-time fan of sports video games, I’ve spent countless hours playing Madden Football with its NFL stars. However, I don’t personally play EA Sports College Football 25, also known as My Ultimate Team (MUT). Yet, I can’t ignore the fact that this new addition to the series has made a splash in the gaming community.

EA Sports College Football 25 Review - University Of Madden

Although EA Sports College Football 25 advances upon several aspects established by Madden, it carries some of its own drawbacks, particularly in the single-player career mode, Road to Glory. The experience leaves much to be desired from the get-go. Instead of starting as a promising high school prospect as in NCAA Football 14, you merely select your position and star rating at the outset. Your player’s caliber determines how early you begin. However, if you opt for a lower-rated recruit, you must earn your place on the team by playing the same repetitive mini-games. The journey from the bottom seems intriguing, but it lacks depth and an engaging storyline. Moreover, there’s no commentary or narrative to accompany your ascent to the top, making choosing anything less than a five-star player futile.

When you make it into the starting roster, it can be disappointing how little control your star quarterback character has, despite being the team’s lead player. While it’s reasonable for coaches not to share the entire game plan with a novice QB, the lack of ability to alter plays on the fly and limited Play Change points to choose from among a few options instead of just one is quite confining. Although this could enhance the gaming experience as an optional feature, being unable to disable these constraints is a significant drawback.

Regarding immersion in EA Sports College Football 25, it falls short when trying to mimic university life. Instead of a continuous flow of energy, your player is given restricted points for various activities outside of the game. The XP gains or modifications you receive depend on your selection. However, it doesn’t take much time to discover manipulating this system. Simply focus on Academics during the initial part of the season while completely dismissing Brand, which holds no significance in the game. Afterward, the remaining season can be spent amassing XP and leadership to acquire upgrade points and in-game advantages.

EA Sports College Football 25 Review - University Of Madden

Occasionally, events unfold through text messages, yet the benefits are usually insignificant, and the narratives lack enthusiasm. The only instance that brought a smile was when a female student blocked you for excessively messaging about attending a party. Otherwise, the off-field interactions are uneventful. However, neglecting to handle these situations can negatively affect your player’s performance on the field through injuries or decreased stats. Fortunately, Dynasty mode offers a stark contrast to Road to Glory.

In contrast to Road to Glory’s sparse career mode experience, Dynasty offers a rich and intricate planning process. Recruiting in this mode goes beyond the basics; it involves understanding each player’s preferences and necessities, and tailoring your team accordingly. The resources at your disposal – time and scholarships – are limited, so carefully considering which players to invest in is crucial. Scouting players without a solid chance of signing them carries an element of risk.

To increase your prospects of success, you can address deal-breaking factors such as school reputation and playstyle. This intricate process requires careful consideration during recruiting, ensuring the needs of various players are met while aiming for victories on the field during the season. The decision between hiring an experienced coach or building a team from scratch adds a surprising degree of flexibility to this challenging game mode in Road to Glory.

EA Sports College Football 25 Review - University Of Madden

Opting for an experienced coach brings advantages such as enhanced recruiting capabilities, providing you with an early edge. On the other hand, starting afresh and building your skills from scratch enables you to tailor your attributes and gameplay style according to your preferences. In essence, the upgrade points you earn from progression can be allocated freely across various skill tree categories instead of being confined to a set skill provided by an existing coach.

If you thrive on difficulty, Dynasty mode offers repercussions for your decisions. Underperform according to the contract’s standards, which are influenced by your school’s history, and you could be out of a job after three years. This authenticity adds excitement with various engaging situations.

Imagine being let go by LSU and then leading a lesser-known team like Kennesaw State all the way to the college football playoffs. The thrill of defeating your former school in the national championship game is an exciting what-if scenario in EA Sports College Football 25. Despite the game’s other challenges, this vicarious experience makes it all worthwhile. Let’s hope that EA continues to strengthen the foundation and add more distinct features, enhancing the series’ identity and setting it apart from Madden.

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2024-07-25 01:09