FIFA 21
- October 8, 2020
- EA Canada
- 89h median play time
Get on SteamEA SPORTS FIFA 21 is the latest edition of the popular football game franchise, offering improved gameplay and features like co-op modes, advanced football intelligence, and dynamic seasons in FIFA Ultimate Team. The Champions Edition and Ultimate Edition come with additional perks such as loan items, player picks, and bonus packs. This game includes optional in-game purchases for virtual items.
Reviews
- gameplay636 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay of FIFA 21 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements in mechanics, player responsiveness, and overall fluidity compared to previous titles. However, criticisms persist regarding issues like scripted gameplay, inconsistent AI behavior, and a lack of significant innovation, leading some to feel that the game remains largely unchanged from its predecessors. While some enjoy the refined mechanics and new features, others express frustration over gameplay flaws that detract from the overall experience.
“With its realistic gameplay, extensive game modes, and impressive presentation, FIFA 21 continues to solidify its position as one of the most popular football simulation games.”
“The player movements, ball physics, and overall responsiveness have been improved, resulting in more fluid and natural gameplay.”
“FIFA 21 may not contain any brand new modes or major new features, but by providing substantial changes to gameplay and introducing key improvements, it has easily positioned itself as the best FIFA yet.”
“The core mechanics remain virtually unchanged, and the so-called 'new features' feel more like gimmicks than meaningful enhancements.”
“Gameplay is seriously flawed.”
“The gameplay does not resemble a football match whatsoever and usually boils down to who can score the most goals rather than who can play the best football at both ends of the pitch.”
- graphics239 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics in FIFA 21 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and immersive environments that enhance gameplay. However, several users expressed disappointment over the lack of next-gen graphics on the PC version, noting that it feels outdated compared to console counterparts. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, they are seen as only a slight improvement over previous iterations, leading to criticism of the game's perceived stagnation.
“The stunning graphics create an immersive gaming environment, and the absence of any lag enhances the overall gameplay.”
“The graphics engine showcases the intensity of the matches, bringing the stadiums and players to life.”
“Fifa 21 delivers an unparalleled gaming experience with its stunning graphics, realistic gameplay mechanics, and extensive content.”
“Only downside is lack of new-gen graphics in PC version.”
“The graphics are very poor and seem the same, if not worse, as they have been 10 years ago.”
“Graphics are still decent, interested to see what next gen brings next year.”
- stability148 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent freezes, disconnects, and various glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users describe the game as nearly unplayable due to these issues, particularly in online modes and career modes, leading to frustration and disappointment. While some acknowledge minor improvements in graphics, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is plagued by bugs that detract from the overall experience.
“Really good graphics, very smooth gameplay, no glitches as of yet, but overall just a spectacular game. My son loves it.”
“No glitches experienced so far this year.”
“Nice bug-free PC version on Steam!”
“The game is buggy to the point of being essentially unplayable.”
“The fact that several training sequences are either buggy or just nearly impossible makes it worse still.”
“Game crashes, BSOD, even after repairing, troubleshooting, reinstallation, lowest settings possible, switch of default processor, DirectX 0 to 1 and vice versa, YouTube tutorials, Reddit, and EA website.”
- story65 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of a traditional story mode like the previous "Journey" feature. While some enjoy the new Volta mode's narrative, they find it lacking in depth and brevity, leading to a general sentiment that the game could benefit from a more robust storytelling experience. Overall, players are calling for a return to more complex and engaging storylines in future iterations.
“The story mode is really cool and the game is very well made for this year.”
“There's an actual story progression that you can follow and get behind.”
“It definitely lacks the complexity of other game modes and you certainly won't be able to sink the same amount of hours into it as modes that offer vaster team building options, but it is very cool, the matches are quick and fulfilling, and the skill tree adds a slight RPG feel to it, as well as the neat little story mode that serves as an introduction.”
“There's literally no story mode in this.”
“In FIFA 21, there is a story mode in the game under Volta football - the debut, but the story is far too short to be that interesting; it keeps us hanging definitely.”
“The lack of a journey mode (story mode) and its replacement with a pointless career-like Volta mode is disappointing.”
- music51 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and memorable, while others criticize it for being repetitive or of poor quality. Many players appreciate the variety and cultural representation in the tracklist, but some express disappointment over the limited number of songs and the inability to change music during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for some, while others find it lacking compared to previous installments.
“The music track list is also pretty good and very listenable, though I wish there would be a few more tracks as you do start to cycle through them quite quickly, and it can become very repetitive if you're playing for a while.”
“Superb soundtrack as usual.”
“The different environments, the in-game commentary, and soundtrack all added a very nice touch and with different available players such as boxing star AJ made the game mode feel very arcade-like, which it is supposed to feel like.”
“Overall it's a decent FIFA to spend some good hours, but the soundtrack is really poor.”
“The most annoying aspect of FIFA 21 is the absolute worst music there is in a game.”
“The soundtrack is so bad that it almost feels like a joke.”
- grinding40 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest hundreds of hours to achieve meaningful progress, particularly in modes like FIFA Ultimate Team. Many reviewers express frustration with the reliance on microtransactions and the lack of rewarding gameplay, suggesting that the grind detracts from overall enjoyment and competitiveness. While some find value in modes like career and Volta, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding experience is a significant drawback.
“Rather than painting them with 8k textures and flashing lights, I hope one day they understand that making games is an art, not grinding money.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“The amount of grinding required to get some (good enough) players is not justifiable.”
“It's got to the point where Ultimate Team is destroyed unless you want to spend every penny you have on player packs or every waking minute you have grinding the supersonic OP versions of regular players.”
“Worst game I have ever played, so much pay to win and the game is built in a way that you have to spend 1000 hours of grinding but also paying lots of money to get players like Mbappe and Neymar + icons.”
- optimization39 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 46 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues on PC, including frequent crashes, poor performance, and server problems. While some users with high-end systems experience smooth gameplay, the overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction, particularly regarding the game's optimization for PC compared to consoles. Many players express frustration over the lack of support from the developers, suggesting that the game feels rushed and poorly executed on the PC platform.
“Very well optimized.”
“The game is well optimized on Steam.”
“Easy to play and not very demanding on hardware, optimized and light on system.”
“The game runs very poorly with awful performance and frequent crashes.”
“This is a terribly optimized game for the PC (no cross compatibility) and the developers obviously don't care about fixing it because it's EA and everything is a money grab for them.”
“Conclusion: they only made this game for Xbox and PS4 but to make more money they just released a quickly made, very badly optimized game for PC.”
- monetization34 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 65 % negative mentions
The monetization in this game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, primarily through its reliance on microtransactions, particularly in the Ultimate Team mode. Many players feel that the focus on in-game purchases detracts from the overall gameplay experience, leading to frustration over the perceived exploitation of players, especially younger ones. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over quality, making it difficult to recommend.
“The game is designed for in-game purchases, and if content is lost, hacked, or taken without warning, you still will not get this back.”
“Plenty of community members have come up with brilliant ideas to spice up the pro-clubs gameplay and also make it profitable for EA since they love to have in-game purchases; yet EA doesn't listen to any of what the community says and they just continue doing as they please.”
“Essentially, EA makes you pay $59 to buy the game and then pressures you to purchase microtransactions to be competitive.”
“The passion for making games went once microtransactions arrived.”
“Unfortunately it is just another greedy cash grab by EA, milking a popular sport while making no improvements to the game whatsoever.”
“Essentially, EA makes you pay $59 to buy the game and then bullies you to purchase microtransactions to be competitive.”
- humor29 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -7 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its glitches and bugs, which players find amusing, especially in multiplayer settings with friends. Many reviews highlight the comedic aspects of gameplay, such as funny tackles and absurd referee decisions, contributing to a lighthearted experience despite some frustrations. Overall, while single-player may lack humor, the multiplayer experience is often described as entertaining and filled with laughter.
“It's nice to see your friends raging and laughing at the same time.”
“Very funny game!”
“The referee is so blind it's not even funny lol.”
“Not funny.”
“The humor fell flat and felt forced.”
“I expected more laughs, but the jokes were stale.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its attention to detail, particularly in player likenesses and atmospheric lighting, which enhance visual fidelity. Players appreciate the energetic feel of Volta mode and the overall presentation, including crowd dynamics and stadium ambiance. However, some criticism arises from the presence of anonymous players in the market, which detracts from the immersive experience.
“The attention to detail in the player likenesses and the atmospheric lighting further enhance the visual fidelity of the game.”
“I loved the presentation of FIFA and the atmosphere it shows.”
“The crowd and general stadium atmosphere really bring the game to life.”
“It doesn't add to the atmosphere that after a while the market is flooded with players who don't even have a portrait, so it looks like I have an army of anonymous players in my team.”
“Maybe, I love FIFA's graphics and the match atmosphere more than PES.”
“[12] Several members went to South Africa and recorded the vuvuzela noise during actual football games, in order to capture the atmosphere over there.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game elicits a wide range of emotions, from intense frustration to elation, creating a deep emotional investment. This love-hate relationship is amplified by the unpredictable nature of gameplay, which can lead to both joyous victories and heartbreaking losses. Overall, the emotional experience is significant, with moments that can evoke strong reactions, including tears.
“Anything that can get your emotions going as much as this game can (rage to glorious happiness when you manage a win or, god forbid, a run of wins) means you become emotionally invested.”
“Overall, this game is an emotional experience and is a love-hate relationship.”
“Makes you want to cry.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The dynamic player rating system enhances the replayability of career mode by allowing a wider range of players to become superstars, making each game feel unique and authentic. Additionally, the inclusion of scenarios from the 2010 World Cup through online updates further enriches the gameplay experience, ensuring lasting replay value.
“The dynamic player rating system has made career mode more replayable than previous titles because now any player can be a superstar rather than the usual high-caliber youth players like Mbappe, Rashford, Pulisic, etc.”
“In addition, scenarios from the 2010 World Cup are playable with an online update.”
“The biggest thing for me is that it doesn't feel fake or forced - each game is unique and the replay value is still there many games into career mode.”
“The dynamic player rating system has made career mode more replayable than previous titles because now any player can be a superstar rather than the normal high-caliber youth guys like Mbappe, Rashford, Pulisic, etc.”
