FC 25 is the second release from EA Sports since they dropped the "FIFA" branding. For all intents and purposes, it’s the same game your kids have played for years, just with updated rosters, better grass textures, and a few new ways to play.

The game is available on every major platform, from the Nintendo Switch to the PlayStation 5. It’s rated E for Everyone, but that rating doesn't account for the "Users Interact" and "In-Game Purchases" labels, which are actually the parts that require the most parenting.

If you hear your kid shouting into their headset more than usual, they’re probably playing Rush. This is a new 5v5 mode that has replaced the old "Volta" street soccer mode.

Unlike a full 90-minute (simulated) match which can feel like a slog, Rush is fast. It uses a smaller pitch, blue cards (a "sin bin" where players are temporarily removed) instead of red cards, and a race to the ball at kickoff. It feels more like Rocket League than a traditional soccer match. It’s highly social because kids can team up with three friends (plus an AI goalie) to compete.

Rush is integrated into almost every part of the game, including Ultimate Team. This means kids are incentivized to play this mode to earn rewards for their main squad. Because it’s team-based, there’s a higher "social tax"—your kid might feel like they can't quit a match because they’ll be letting their real-life friends down.

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This is where the "No-BS" part comes in. FC 25 is a $70 game that tries very hard to act like a free-to-play mobile app once you're inside.

The core of the experience for most kids is Ultimate Team (UT). In this mode, you build a "dream team" by collecting player cards. You can earn these cards by playing, but the fastest way to get the best players (like Mbappé or Bellingham) is to buy Packs.

These are the premium currency. You buy them with a credit card, and then use them to buy Packs. The catch? You don't know who is in the pack until you open it. It’s a classic "loot box" mechanic. The lights flash, the music swells, and there’s a massive dopamine hit when a high-rated player walks out onto the screen. It is, for all intents and purposes, a slot machine for kids.

If your kid is spending hours on the FC 25 Companion App on their phone, they aren't even playing soccer. They are playing "Stock Market: Soccer Edition." They are checking player prices, trying to "snipe" cards, and obsessing over SBCs (Squad Building Challenges). While there’s some logic and math involved, it can quickly turn into an obsession with digital "wealth" rather than the sport itself.

Learn more about how FC Points compare to Robux and V-Bucks

EA is marketing something called FC IQ this year. In plain English, they’ve updated the AI so that players act more like their real-life counterparts. If a player is known for being a "Playmaker" in real life, the game's AI will actually make them find space more effectively.

For kids who are tactical nerds, this is great. It encourages them to actually learn about soccer formations and player roles. If your kid is explaining the difference between a "False 9" and an "Inside Forward," they’re actually engaging in some pretty high-level strategic thinking.

At this age, the game is best played in Kick-Off mode (local multiplayer on the couch) or Career Mode (offline). The online world of Ultimate Team is generally too predatory and frustrating for this age group. The "transfer market" is complex, and the pressure to spend money is high.

This is the prime demographic for FC 25. They want to play with their friends in Rush and build their Ultimate Team.

Teens are likely managing their own time and possibly their own money. The concern here is the "time sink." FC 25 is designed to be played every single day to keep up with "content" (new cards released by EA).

Check out our guide on gaming addiction vs. high engagement

No, FC 25 isn't Skibidi Toilet. It’s a highly complex simulation of a real sport. It requires reflexes, strategic thinking, and—if they're playing Career Mode—management skills. However, the Ultimate Team loop can become "brain rot-adjacent" when the focus shifts from "how do I play soccer better?" to "how do I get more points to buy more packs?"

For many boys (and an increasing number of girls, as women’s players are now fully integrated into Ultimate Team), FC 25 is the "digital playground." It’s where they hang out after school. If you ban the game, you might be banning their primary social circle. It’s better to regulate the mode they play rather than the game itself.

If you want to have a real conversation with your kid about FC 25, ask them these three questions:

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FC 25 is a fantastic soccer game buried under a mountain of monetization. The new Rush mode is a genuinely fun, social addition that makes the game more accessible for casual play.

If you can manage the spending and the "one more match" mentality, it’s a relatively safe, high-quality hobby. Just keep a close eye on the "Packs"—because the house always wins, and in this case, the "house" is EA Sports.