EA Sports is stepping into new territory with their early access release of FC Empires, a fresh take on the 4X Strategy genre that feels like a blend between Football Manager and Clash of Clans.
Right now, FC Empires is open for play on iOS and Android in select regions like Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, with plans for a broader global rollout in the not-so-distant future.
This game pulls you into the dual facets of football—juggling the business and sporting elements. Players must strategically elevate their clubs to international fame through smart merchandising decisions, top-notch medical and scouting facilities, and hiring adept coaching staff.
I had a chance to dive into a closed alpha of FC Empires some time ago, and it turned out to be both bizarre and extremely gripping. If you’re familiar with EA Sports FC 25’s Ultimate Team or mobile hits like Clash of Clans or The Simpsons: Tapped Out, you’ll find the various mechanics here immediately familiar.
In FC Empires, you funnel your in-game earnings into infrastructure development, which progresses in real time but can be hastened using premium items. The infrastructure provides practical benefits—like a hospital reducing player injury recovery times—a typical nod to mobile strategy game conventions.
Squad-building draws heavily from the Ultimate Team formula. You gradually acquire “transfers” much like opening packs in EA Sports FC 25. You’ll then mix players, considering their nationality, club, and league affiliations, to boost team chemistry and enhance stats.
When it comes to actual gameplay, FC Empires borrows from the Football Manager playbook, though with less complexity. You don’t micromanage every player on the field. Instead, you set up formations and tactics, watching the action unfold from the sidelines.
This game streamlines what hardcore tacticians might find in Football Manager, targeting fans who enjoy team-building and strategy without the lightning-fast pace of EA Sports FC. It’s fit for those who prefer a more relaxed approach to football simulations.
Once your team is set, you can either invite AI teams for friendly matches at your stadium or venture out to challenge other players globally. Winning these matches earns your club more fanfare and boosts its value.
The proposition diverges vastly from traditional football. For some, the notion of supporting a team merely because they’re winning feels foreign. Personally, supporting Leeds United often leads to an emotional rollercoaster, yet it’s precisely why I love it.
Nonetheless, FC Empires brilliantly combines two game mechanics that have captured massive global fanfare—though admittedly, they’ve also been criticized for their addictive nature.
To stay updated, check out the official FC Empires website and follow their Facebook and Discord channels for the latest release announcements.
