FIFA 21

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In FIFA 21, players can enjoy the latest edition of the EA SPORTS FIFA series with enhanced features, including the Champions Edition that offers 5 rare gold packs, a Kylian Mbappé loan item, and a career mode homegrown talent. The Ultimate Edition includes 10 rare gold packs, providing even more opportunities to acquire virtual in-game items. Team up with friends for bigger victories in various street and stadium game modes, with optional in-game purchases of virtual currency available. However, the game's emphasis on microtransactions may not appeal to all players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 17,617 reviews

gameplay210 positive mentions

stability172 negative mentions

gameplay
860 mentions
24 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The gameplay of FIFA 21 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements in mechanics, responsiveness, and realism compared to previous titles. However, criticisms persist regarding issues like scripting, inconsistent AI behavior, and a lack of significant innovation, leading some to feel that the game remains largely similar to its predecessors. Overall, while some players enjoy the refined mechanics and new features like Volta, others express frustration over persistent gameplay flaws and a perceived focus on monetization over genuine improvements.
- “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.”
- “The addition of new features like agile dribbling and creative runs adds depth to the gameplay, providing players with more control and creativity on the pitch.”
- “The core mechanics remain virtually unchanged, and the so-called 'new features' feel more like gimmicks than meaningful enhancements.”
- “Ea Sports has once again disappointed with its zero change in games policy... it's a money game for EA Sports now; they have made zero changes in FIFA 21 and simply copy-pasted the FIFA 19 version with absolutely bad player gameplay and made it more annoying for its users.”
- “The gameplay is the worst I've experienced in a FIFA game; the defense is pretty much non-existent!”
graphics
340 mentions
39 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics in FIFA 21 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and immersive environments that enhance gameplay. However, players have expressed disappointment over the lack of next-gen graphics on the PC version, which reportedly uses an outdated engine compared to console versions. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, they are seen as not significantly improved from previous iterations, leading to frustration among some players.
- “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 the PC version.”
- “The graphics engine sucks, and you need to pay the full price for it.”
- “Graphics are awful and its game modes are half-baked as all hell.”
stability
178 mentions
3 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent visual glitches, freezing issues, and connection problems that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players have experienced bugs affecting player numbers, menu navigation, and game mechanics, particularly in career mode, leading to an overall impression of a poorly optimized and unfinished product. While some users find enjoyment in the game despite these issues, the consensus is that the frequency and severity of glitches make it frustrating and often unplayable.
- “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.”
- “Great game, runs great.”
- “The game is full of bugs and glitches; it's a shame because the game could be so good with a little time and effort.”
- “Game freezes consistently & plenty of other bugs.”
- “It's a mess of bugs, glitches, and predatory features.”
story
95 mentions
13 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of a substantial narrative compared to previous installments. While some appreciate the short Volta mode's storyline, others find it insufficient and lacking depth, leading to a general consensus that the game misses a more engaging story mode. Overall, players are calling for a return to more complex and immersive storylines akin to those found in earlier FIFA titles.
- “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.”
- “A beautiful and story-rich game.”
- “A good game but with a bad story mode.”
- “Volta has a short storyline; you can play it in 2-3 hours.”
- “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.”
music
71 mentions
41 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and diverse, while others criticize it for being repetitive or poorly curated. Many players appreciate the inclusion of various genres and the overall quality of the music, but some express disappointment over the limited tracklist and the inability to customize music during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for some, while others find it lacking compared to previous installments.
- “The music is actually spectacular.”
- “Great game, great music.”
- “Superb soundtrack as usual.”
- “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.”
grinding
58 mentions
3 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players noting that it requires an excessive time commitment, often likening it to needing a "second life" to achieve meaningful progress. While some enjoy the challenge of grinding for players and objectives, the overall sentiment is that the process is tedious, repetitive, and heavily influenced by microtransactions, making it frustrating for those who prefer a more casual gaming experience. Many reviews suggest that the grind detracts from the enjoyment of the game, particularly in modes like FIFA Ultimate Team, where competitive play often feels unbalanced due to pay-to-win mechanics.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The amount of grinding required to get some (good enough) players is not justifiable.”
- “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.”
monetization
55 mentions
5 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
58 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in this game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, primarily through the heavily promoted FIFA Ultimate Team mode, which relies on microtransactions and encourages pay-to-win mechanics. Many players feel that the focus on in-game purchases detracts from the overall gaming experience, with complaints about the lack of meaningful improvements and the game's reliance on recycled content. Overall, the monetization approach has led to frustration among users, who see it as exploitative, particularly towards younger players.
- “Year over year, selling a repackaged game at AAA pricing while heavily promoting microtransactions is indeed an approach worthy of Electronic Arts.”
- “Essentially, EA makes you pay $59 to buy the game and then pressures you to purchase microtransactions to be competitive.”
- “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.”
- “Another cash grab attempt from EA.”
- “Unfortunately, it is just another greedy cash grab by EA milking a popular sport while making no improvements to the game whatsoever.”
- “This game is the epitome of a pathetic cash grab by a monopolizing triple-A company.”
optimization
55 mentions
31 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
42 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on PC, including frequent crashes, stuttering, and poor menu navigation. While some users with high-end systems experience smooth gameplay, others find the game poorly optimized for their hardware, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has potential, its optimization, especially for PC players, leaves much to be desired.
- “Very well optimized.”
- “It runs smoothly on my 3700x, rtx 2060 super.”
- “Easy to play and not very demanding on hardware, optimized and light on system.”
- “But between the menu, the online capabilities, and optimization... I've got a brand new computer with decent specs, and the menu glitches and crashes.”
- “This game is a joke, EA doesn't care about PC players, it is poorly optimized; don't give this company your money.”
- “The game runs very poorly with awful performance and frequent crashes.”
humor
39 mentions
97 % positive mentions
-5 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding enjoyment in funny glitches, absurd gameplay moments, and amusing multiplayer interactions. Many reviews highlight the comedic aspects of bugs and unexpected game mechanics, often leading to laughter among friends, although some note that the humor can be hit or miss in single-player modes. Overall, the game is characterized as funny, particularly in social settings, despite some frustrations with gameplay issues.
- “It's funny that I use these crashes as an indicator for me to update my GPU drivers lol.”
- “The referee is so blind it's not even funny lol.”
- “I got a 91 rated GK (possibly one of the best) and some of the goals he concedes are hilarious and horrifying.”
- “Not funny.”
- “The humor fell flat and didn't resonate with me.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes were stale.”
atmosphere
13 mentions
31 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its attention to detail, vibrant lighting, and immersive presentation, particularly in modes like Volta, which enhances the energetic feel of gameplay. However, some players express frustration with character animations and the lack of unique player portraits, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, with significant improvements in crowd dynamics and broadcast presentation.
- “The attention to detail in the player likenesses and the atmospheric lighting further enhance the visual fidelity of the game.”
- “Best game, no toxicity, good atmosphere, definitely worth your time and money!”
- “I loved the presentation of FIFA and the atmosphere it shows.”
- “The bad animation of characters during cutscenes before or after matches breaks the atmosphere.”
- “It's a shame, as the visuals and atmosphere are better than ever, but the frustration over the utter stupidity of the systems is a permanent feature of trying to play the game.”
- “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 on my team.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players describe the game as a deeply emotional experience, eliciting a wide range of feelings from frustration to joy, particularly during moments of victory or unexpected mishaps like own goals. The emotional investment is significant, with some players expressing a strong attachment to the game that can lead to tears, especially when reminded of key players like Mbappé. Overall, the game fosters a love-hate relationship that keeps players engaged and emotionally charged.
- “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.”
- “I played this game for so long that every time I hear or see Mbappé, I want to cry.”
replayability
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability, particularly in career mode, thanks to a dynamic player rating system that allows any player to shine, making each game feel unique and engaging. Additionally, the inclusion of scenarios from the 2010 World Cup enhances the replay value further.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “In addition, scenarios from the 2010 World Cup are playable with an online update.”