With today’s release of FC 25, football fans have been impatiently waiting to dive into this virtual universe which highlights world football, and more particularly French football. This new edition marks a decisive turning point with the introduction of numerous improvements and new features, particularly with regard to the representation of the men’s (Ligue 1 and Ligue 2) and women’s (D1 Arkema) championships. Players will also be able to embody the French men’s and women’s teams, further strengthening the presence of French football in the game. However, despite these quality additions, a notable absence is felt: the new television branding of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 is still not integrated.
Team modeling
FC 25 has clearly reinforced its desire to capture the essence of French football. Starting with the players, who are modeled with astonishing precision, both in terms of physical traits and in their animations. Each team from Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and D1 Arkema, as well as the French national teams (men’s and women’s), benefits from special attention: the faces, the movements on the pitch, the emblematic celebrations of certain players – everything is designed to provide total immersion. On the side of women’s clubs of the D1 Arkema, this edition also marks significant progress. The players are finally represented in a fair and detailed manner, testifying to the growing importance of women’s football in the video game landscape.
A realistic environment
Immersion in FC 25 isn’t limited to players. The emblematic Ligue 1 stadiums, such as the Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain), the Orange Vélodrome (Olympique de Marseille), the Groupama Stadium (Olympique Lyonnais), or the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy (LOSC Lille) , are recreated with impressive detail. These great temples of French football offer a unique immersion. And we must not forget the legendary Stade Bollaert-Delelis (RC Lens), where the fervor of the Sang et Or supporters is particularly palpable in the game. The stands, the specific colors of each stadium, and even the lighting on match evenings important are present, reinforcing the sensation of attending a real meeting. Each stadium also has its own specific fan chants, creating a unique atmosphere for each team. For example, hearing the supporters of the Vélodrome or Bollaert-Delelis sing their love for their club is a treat for fans of the French football atmosphere.
To complete this atmosphere, the official balls used during the current seasons, whether those of Ligue 1 or D1 Arkema, are well integrated. The attention to detail on textures and the way they react on the ground reinforces the realism of the gameplay. Each club is also represented with its official jerseys for the season. The realism of their design, from sponsors to pattern details, meets the expectations of football fashion fans. In addition, the different outfits for home and away matches or even special equipment for European competitions are present, offering real aesthetic variety in the game.
A notable absence
Despite all these positive points, FC 25 leaves a bitter taste among fans who are most attentive to the visual aesthetics of television broadcasts. Indeed, the new TV packaging recently introduced by Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, with its modernized graphics and dynamic animations, has (for the moment) not yet been integrated into this edition. This lack may seem minor, but for players looking for total immersion, it would have been the perfect finishing touch to 100% reflect the current reality of French football. FC 25 is available today on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch. For owners of the Ultimate Edition, early access is possible since September 20, 2024.
To summarize
With the release of FC 25, French football, men’s and women’s, is in the spotlight in this new edition. Players can play as the Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and D1 Arkema teams, as well as the French men’s and women’s teams.
