EA Sports College Football 25

After a 10-year hiatus, the roar of college football crowds and the clashing of helmets return to gaming consoles with EA SPORTS College Football 25. This highly anticipated title is hoping to capture the magic of what makes college athletics just so beloved in the first place: reliving glory days while creating a new legacy within the college football world. So, does it live up to the hype, or does it fumble at the goal line?

Atmosphere That'll Give You Goosebumps

Truly no doubt, a real standout feature of EA SPORTS College Football 25 will be how committed it is to representing that electric feeling of college football that people get. Right from the boot-up of your game, you're warmed up to the sights of the nation's most iconic stadia. The developers have recreated—down to the letter—all the unique traditions and rituals of 134 schools, from the earth-shaking "Enter Sandman" entrance at Virginia Tech to the war chant at Florida State.

The new CampusIQ system takes visual and immersiveness to the next level, introducing a composure mechanic that genuinely makes you feel the pressure of playing in hostile environments. Tough road games—with screen shaking and play art disappearing—leave that slight layer of challenge that really feels authentic to a college football experience.

Gameplay That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

At its core, EA SPORTS College Football 25 is a rock solid football experience; building off the already rock solid foundation of its professional counterpart, Madden. However, it distinguishes itself by focusing on the differences among the college game. The new Wear & Tear system introduces a strategic layer on top of player management that will have you on your knees before tough decisions: Whether to rest your star players or risk those extra inches to injury.

It actually plays at a much quicker pace and more frantic than most of the rest of Madden does, and in a weird way, that is representative of college football's unpredictability. Wide-open playbooks and fluctuating player ratings throughout the game are only going to keep you on your heels, never feeling at ease.

However, the learning curve will be steep for some—especially with the pre-snap recognition system. Yes, it's added depth for hardcore fans, but casual players may find themselves inundated with things they have to think about before every single play.

Review: 8.5/10

EA SPORTS College Football 25 is a triumphant return to the franchise, capturing the essence of college football in a way that will be satisfying for new and old fans. The respect for even the minute elements in the creation of an atmosphere for college game day is praiseworthy, while the gameplay additions definitely keep it deep enough for more than one season of interest.

Pros:

• Incredible atmosphere with accurate recreation of the stadium
• CampusIQ system with an authentic challenge for away games
• Wear & Tear mechanics for strategy
• Fast-paced, topsy-turvy gameplay
• Solid Dynasty and Road to Glory modes

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for a few new mechanics
• Graphics occasionally inconsistent
• Some of the smaller schools just don't feel as fleshed out as the powerhouses
• Microtransactions in Ultimate Team mode may turn some players off their game