As a die-hard college football fan, the anticipation for EA College Football 25 was immense. After more than a decade without a dedicated college football video game, the excitement was palpable. However, when reviewing this long-awaited title, it's essential not to let nostalgia cloud judgment. While the return of college football to the gaming world is thrilling, a balanced review is crucial. I've carefully analyzed every aspect of this game. After spending considerable time exploring the features, it's clear that while EA College Football 25 isn't perfect, it surpasses expectations in several areas.

The Good

Visually Stunning

One of the most striking aspects of EA College Football 25 is its visual appeal. The game is a feast for the eyes, with detailed player models, realistic uniforms, vibrant crowds, and lifelike 3-D grass. It's not just the best-looking football game ever released but also one of the most visually impressive sports games across all genres. The graphics make you want to dive into the action, and that's a significant achievement for any sports title.

Outstanding Gameplay

Beyond its visuals, CF 25 shines in gameplay. From a single-game perspective, it delivers one of the best football experiences available. The game's speed, diverse playbooks, realistic physics, and smooth animations combine to create an engaging and dynamic football experience. The Wear-and-Tear system adds a layer of realism that, while robust, could have been pushed further. A "hardcore" difficulty setting could enhance this aspect even more, allowing for a truly immersive challenge. While the game does share some similarities with Madden, CF 25 stands out with its distinct playstyle and depth, offering a unique college football experience that fans will appreciate.

School-Specific Presentation

EA's commitment to making every school in the game feel special is evident in the school-specific presentations. Each team's unique traditions, stadium atmospheres, and uniforms are faithfully recreated, adding authenticity to the game. Whether it's Clemson's famous hill run or a white-out crowd, these details bring college football's spirit to life. It's a reminder that every school is someone's favorite, and EA has honored that sentiment.

Ultimate Team Delivers

While Ultimate Team modes can be polarizing, CF 25's version, College Ultimate Team (CUT), fulfills its purpose effectively. CUT offers a wide range of players, almost giving the game a feel similar to EA FC rather than Madden. This mode serves its role in generating revenue, which indirectly supports other game modes that may not be as profitable but are equally loved by fans. Even if you're not a fan of Ultimate Team, it's hard to deny its impact and importance in the game's ecosystem.

Road to Glory Shows Promise

The Road to Glory (RTG) mode has potential, but it's a mixed bag. The mode's multifaceted approach to player management is intriguing, offering different experiences depending on your recruit's star rating. While it can be tedious at times, especially if you're not a starter, the mode shines when you finally hit the field. For example, in one playthrough, my 2-star quarterback at Northwestern didn't see action until the tenth week when the starting QB faltered. This unexpected moment added excitement and saved my experience. On the other hand, playing as a 5-star recruit at Michigan was a completely different, but equally enjoyable, journey.

Dynasty Mode Depth

Dynasty mode is where EA College Football 25 truly excels. The sheer depth of options, from custom schedules and TeamBuilder integration to recruiting and rivalry games, makes this mode a football fan's dream. You can immerse yourself in managing a team for multiple seasons, with the added challenge of navigating the transfer portal and dealing with injuries. The inclusion of up to 16 TeamBuilder teams per dynasty adds even more customization and replayability. However, there is one major issue that affects this mode, which we'll discuss next.

The Bad

NIL Limitations

While the inclusion of real players thanks to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) agreements is a significant win, it also brings limitations. In TeamBuilder, for example, you can't edit player names on the website, which diminishes the mode's impact. Additionally, you can't edit any NIL player in the game, a restriction that affects most of the rosters. This lack of customization is a stark contrast to the freedom players had in previous NCAA Football titles, and it's likely due to legal concerns and EA's cautious approach during the game's revival. Moreover, the inability to export draft classes from CF 25 to Madden 25 further complicates the experience, as EA doesn't have the right to use all NIL players in Madden.

Road to Glory Needs Tweaks

As promising as RTG is, it needs some refinements. Playing as a 2-star recruit can be frustrating due to limited gameplay options during practice weeks. Allowing users to play simulated games with second and third-stringers would enhance the experience, adding depth to the position battle system. The mode excels during actual games but leaves much to be desired when you're stuck trying to earn playing time.

Audio Commentary Lacks Depth

The audio commentary in CF 25 feels generic and fails to capture the uniqueness of each player. While it's understandable that the commentary team can't record lines for every player, the system could benefit from more tags and hooks. Including references to players' achievements, such as Heisman finalists or national champions, would add depth and make the commentary more engaging.

The Bottom Line

When EA announced the return of college football to video games, many expected a simple reskin of Madden with college uniforms. However, EA College Football 25 is much more than that. It's a robust, visually stunning game that offers a deep and engaging football experience. Despite some limitations due to NIL agreements, the game carves out its own identity and sets the stage for even greater things in the future.

And let's not forget the importance of College Football 25 Coins, which add another layer of strategy and customization to the game, allowing players to enhance their teams and enjoy the game in new and exciting ways. As EA continues to navigate the complexities of NIL, future iterations of the game are likely to reach even greater heights.

MMOexp College Football 25 Team