EA Sports FC 25: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Rewards

The transition from FIFA to EA Sports FC 25 marked a monumental shift in the world of football gaming. EA Sports promised a fresh experience filled with new features, improved gameplay, and an updated rewards system for modes like Squad Battles, Ultimate Team, and more. Players around the globe were eager to see how this shift would impact their gaming experiences. After several weeks of gameplay, including a slew of Squad Battle rewards and packs, it's safe to say that the journey so far has been a mixed bag. For many, the highs of receiving exceptional players have been contrasted with the lows of EA FC 25 Coins unfulfilled pack openings and some questionable decisions from EA.

 Squad Battles and Pack Rewards: A Love-Hate Relationship

One of the most popular modes in EA Sports FC 25, Squad Battles, continues to be a battleground for players aiming to accumulate rewards while challenging themselves against AI teams of varying difficulty. The goal for many players is simple: rise through the ranks, hit the coveted Elite 1 tier, and enjoy the spoils in the form of packs, coins, and sometimes player picks. But how satisfying are these rewards in practice?

As noted in last week's experiences with Squad Battle rewards, many players expressed a sense of disappointment. Reaching Elite 1 is no small feat; it demands time, effort, and consistency. The expectation is that these hard-earned rewards will yield something significant, ideally a star player or a rare, valuable card. But more often than not, the reality falls short.

Starting with an 85+ rated pack, which typically holds the promise of delivering a top-tier player, the first pack opened offered John Stones, an 85-rated center-back from Manchester City. While Stones is a solid defender, he hardly meets the excitement that comes with Elite 1 rewards, leaving many players feeling underwhelmed. This feeling was only amplified when subsequent packs yielded similar results—mid-tier players like Grealish and Stones, back-to-back, as if EA had some hidden algorithm linking player kits to pack outcomes.

 The Elusive Walkout Animation

In EA Sports FC 25, the walkout animation is a visual cue that signals the arrival of a top player from a pack. It’s the moment every player eagerly waits for—the lights, the suspense, and the hope of seeing a world-class player like Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, or a Team of the Week star emerging from the tunnel. Yet, as last week's rewards demonstrated, the walkout animation was suspiciously absent for many players, even in high-end packs like the Team of the Week packs and Rare Mega Packs.

The absence of walkouts left many players bewildered. For example, when opening the Team of the Week pack, the player expected a walkout or at least a valuable in-form player, but instead, he was greeted with Evander, an 81-rated midfielder from the MLS with underwhelming stats. The lack of high-value cards in these packs led to widespread speculation among players that the pack odds had been tweaked or even “rigged” to ensure that lower-tier cards were more common than ever.

 Are Packs Rigged?

This growing frustration among players has fueled discussions about whether EA Sports FC 25's pack system is rigged. When pack after pack produces low-rated players, many start to wonder if there's an unseen force at play, dictating that top-tier cards remain elusive. After opening multiple packs across various accounts—both the main account and the RTG (Road to Glory)—it seemed like the game had a bias towards Manchester City players. First, John Stones, then Jack Grealish, followed by Rodri—all back-to-back, prompting jokes among the community about EA's apparent favoritism towards City players when the user had a Manchester United kit equipped.

Though this may just be a funny coincidence, the repeated disappointments have made players feel like they are being trolled by EA. The argument that the game might be rigged has also gained traction due to the prevalence of low-rated cards in high-end packs. One player opened an 84+ pack expecting a walkout, but instead received Danny Olmo, an 84-rated midfielder whose value on the market was negligible. It’s a scenario that many players are all too familiar with—expecting a star but getting a dud.

 The Road to The Knockout and Team of the Week: A Dream That Never Arrives

Another aspect of EA Sports FC 25 that has divided opinion is the Road to The Knockout (RTTK) and Team of the Week (TOTW) events. These events highlight players who have performed exceptionally well in real life, offering boosted versions of their cards. The chance to pull a Team of the Week Vinícius Jr. or an RTTK star is what keeps many players hooked, but unfortunately, the chances of actually receiving these cards seem slimmer than ever.

During last week's pack openings, the player dreamed of packing Team of the Week Vinícius Jr., but the game had other ideas. Instead of Vinícius, they received low-rated players like Evander and Christensen, neither of whom would make a meaningful impact on any serious Ultimate Team. The frustration of consistently missing out on top-tier players is compounded by the fact that these special event cards are time-limited. Once they leave packs, the chances to acquire them diminish significantly, pushing players to either spend more money on packs or try their luck on the transfer market, where prices for these cards skyrocket.

 Is There a Solution?

Despite the ongoing frustrations, EA Sports FC 25 remains one of the most popular sports games on the planet. The allure of building a dream team, competing in Ultimate Team, and the sheer thrill of pack openings keep millions of players engaged. However, the negative experiences of many players—especially those related to pack rewards—suggest that EA could make some changes to improve the overall satisfaction of its player base.

One solution could be to increase transparency around pack odds. While EA has started to show the likelihood of pulling certain players or card types in packs, the percentages are still incredibly low for top-tier players, sometimes in the range of 1% or less. By increasing these odds slightly, EA could create more excitement and reduce the frustration that currently accompanies most pack openings.

Another solution might involve guaranteed player picks or special packs for those who consistently hit Elite 1 or higher in modes like Squad Battles. The sense of accomplishment from reaching these high tiers is undeniable, but the rewards often don't match the effort required. Guaranteeing a certain caliber of player for high-performing players could help bridge the gap between effort and reward, making the game more rewarding and enjoyable.

 Conclusion: A Game of Highs and Lows

EA Sports FC 25, like its predecessors, offers a thrilling and immersive football experience. However, the game is not without its flaws, particularly when it comes to its reward system. As players continue to grind through Squad Battles, Weekend League, and Rivals, the hope for better rewards remains a constant motivator. But as last week's rewards showed, the reality of what players actually receive can often fall short of expectations.

Still, the allure of one day packing that elusive Team of the Week Vinnie or a Champions League RTTK star keeps players coming back, hoping that the next pack will finally be the one. EA has built a game that thrives on this hope, and despite the frustrations, players will continue to cheap Fut 25 Coins open packs, chase walkouts, and aim for Elite 1—because in EA Sports FC 25, the next big reward is always just one pack away.