FIFA 21 Reviews
Stop us if you've heard this one before: FIFA 21 isn't a huge upgrade on FIFA 20, but a boatload of small improvements do help it rise above its predecessor. The on-pitch action arguably feels more arcadey than it has done in years, but there's no denying the excitement that comes with playing through a 5-4 thriller. FIFA is still king in delivering a robust and accessible footballing package, but the series needs to step up its game on PS5 - particularly when it comes to presentation.
FIFA 21 is an evolution of FIFA 20, rather than a revolution. With next-gen consoles being released in November, it's probably fair to say that FIFA fans will probably first see a true next-gen FIFA gaming title next year. But we'll wait and see what FIFA 21 feels like on next-gen consoles before rushing to conclusions. FIFA 21 brings more goals, more attacking options, more features and most importantly, more fun.
There are no special technical annotations. The game flows smoothly and without any particular hitches, with an audio/video compartment virtually identical to last season.
Review in Italian | Read full review
FIFA 21 marks another update to the formula without major innovations. But it's still a fun game.
Review in Russian | Read full review
FIFA 21 is a complete package that will keep football fans hooked for the entire season. Although there are only a few small improvements, the tactical possibilities that these unlock are vast. With Dual Entitlement, meaning you can transfer your progress to next-gen consoles and the fact that it’s packed to the goalposts with content, FIFA 21 comfortably takes the golden boot for 2021.
The few positives do not outweigh the negatives. EA Sports continues to phone it in with the FIFA series while single-player gamers cry out for better options.
You know exactly what you are going to get with FIFA and FIFA 21 has some misses but a significant amount of hits. Player faces could be improved with some key players missing their actual faces but that’s only a minor point in the grand scheme of things. It feels substantially better than FIFA 20 and it’s definitely a game that will get a lot more game time from me than the previous title. There are still a lot of gameplay elements that need improving so hopefully, a patch will address them very soon.
FIFA 21 is an overpriced full price update that should be considered very carefully.
Review in German | Read full review
Now though, EA Sports’ series really needs to be analyzed in regards to how and where it improves, and FIFA 21 is a mash up of incremental steps forward, baffling design choices, and seemingly ignored issues. It simply doesn’t do enough to make the overall experience significantly more enjoyable than it was last year.
FIFA 21 does little no nothing in terms of innovation, and some of the previous elements in the game even feel like a step behind.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
FIFA 21 is back with small changes and good ideas but with the need to make the leap to the next generation of consoles.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It all comes down to the online gameplay which for many is the be all of FIFA, but for now FIFA 21 over-delivers on its promises of making an overall better footballing experience. Its beautiful presentation coupled with gameplay improvements and the constant stream of content makes FIFA 21 a great experience.
FIFA 21 is an often great football game packed with content and modes. The few gameplay tweaks that are here make for a better overall experience and keeping Volta around adds some variety. Sadly, the redesign of career mode focuses on the wrong features and feels like a wannabe Football Manager without any of the depth.
FIFA 21 is not bad but it does not innovate at all the recipe initiated by FIFA 20. Very focused on the attack, the defense suffers from a significant imbalance, leaving the open door to matches filled with goals. It is a transitional opus, leaving known bases so as not to upset the players and thus draw great novelties for FIFA 22.
Review in French | Read full review
FIFA 21 has something for everyone, from casual gamers to passionate soccer fans. Sure, FIFA games can sometimes feel repetitive, and there are some things that need to be addressed, but when you play you can tell that the developers are keyed-in on the same things that make real soccer fans passionate. Make no mistake: this is the best soccer video game ever made. The beautiful game has truly never been so beautiful.
FIFA 21 is a game with few interesting new features but they're not so extensive as to require a year of development. This should be a simple content patch. Still, the game itself is very good and satisfying, capable of elevating a house party and thrilling core fans.
Review in Polish | Read full review
A victory lap for the FIFA franchise on current generation hardware, FIFA 21 manages to combine every positive addition to the series and triumph. Despite it skewing towards Ultimate Team and microtransactions, the on-pitch gameplay is the best it's ever been.
FIFA 21 is solid and still immensely playable, but very stale, and rather unnecessary.
Any new ideas have clearly been held back for when the new consoles are actually obtainable by the masses, but FIFA leaves the Xbox One and PS4 in a pretty good place — and with some extra pace — in 2020/21, still with plenty of scope to go from good to great next-generation.
So FIFA ends its run on this console generation as the undisputed champion of sales, and will probably remain that way for years to come. Whether EA will try to further innovate the actual game, or if they even want to remains unseen. eFootball PES continues to outshine it on a pure gameplay level, but without the flashy licenses and expensive bells and whistles many will be content to keep rolling with EA's juggernaut. FIFA is still a fun game to play and at times can still be addictive as anything. You just can't help but wish for those two or three major signings that would take it to the next level.