Leaked footage of The Grounds, the new open-world social hub in EA FC 27, has sparked widespread criticism online, but hands-on testing suggests the mode may be better than the viral clips imply. The backlash has been intense, with comparisons to NBA 2K's controversial The City mode and concerns about empty spaces and unnecessary additions.
Community Concerns and Comparisons
Reddit users have voiced strong opinions. One user wrote, “Who asks for this?” while another compared it to NBA 2K, saying, “I am [an] oldhead NBA 2K enjoyer. There is nothing worse than big city with lots of unused space and points of interest in different corners of the hub.” A third added, “My initial reaction is, I hope I dont have to use this or participate in it. Open world and sports just are not genres I feel need to mix it up together.”
Hands-On Experience and Reality Check
However, after a week of access to the EA FC 27 closed beta, the reality appears less dire. The Grounds is a social hub that brings together 100 players for the Clubs mode, featuring stores and districts inspired by global football cultures. While it may be essential only for Clubs enthusiasts, the casual street games scattered around the districts offer a refreshing break from the competitive grind of Ultimate Team.
The viral clips, which showed janky animations and clipping issues, misrepresent the mode's actual performance. In testing, no such glitches were observed, and the environment felt fluid and cohesive. The mode is incomplete beta code, but it runs better than the leaks suggest.
Potential and Player Choice
The Grounds is not perfect, and EA will need to prove it won't become a bloated ad-space. However, players who are unhappy can simply choose not to engage with it, sending a clear message to the publisher. Judging the mode solely on compressed leak clips does a disservice to what could be a fun new experiment for Clubs players. The final verdict should wait until players get hands-on with the full release.
