FIFA 21 earned mixed-to-average critic reception overall, with reviews praising its range of modes and lively attacking play while questioning how much it improves on FIFA 20 and whether its defensive balance holds up. Metacritic’s inspected page lists a 72 Metascore from 62 critic reviews across platforms; that is not a score for every individual version.
What do FIFA 21 reviews say?
The broad critical case for FIFA 21 is a familiar, content-rich football game with exciting attacking opportunities. The main reservation is that its refinements do not amount to a major overhaul, and some reviewers found defensive play uneven. Whether that trade-off works for you depends largely on how much you value a wide choice of modes over annual-series reinvention.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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FIFA 21 (PS4) | $33.32 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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FIFA 21 – PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 | $22.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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FIFA NXT LVL EDITION(PS5) | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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FIFA 21 - Xbox One & Xbox Series X | $12.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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FIFA 21 - Xbox One & Xbox Series X - Xbox One | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Metacritic’s inspected page categorizes its 72 Metascore as “Mixed or Average,” based on 62 critic reviews. Its platform-specific scores and review counts differ, so use the relevant platform result when judging a particular edition rather than treating 72 as a console-specific score. The page also lists a 1.2 user score from 2,368 ratings, with 87% categorized as negative. Those are Metacritic user ratings, not a representative survey of all owners, and the figures can change.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesGameSpot lists an 8/10 review score for FIFA 21. That positive assessment sits alongside more critical reviews, which argue that the game does not advance enough or retains flaws from earlier entries. These scores reflect different outlets’ judgments, not gameplay-performance statistics.
#1 Best Overall
- GAMEPLAY: Create more scoring opportunities than ever before with all-new dynamic attacking systems in the most intelligent FIFA gameplay to date; FIFA 21 raises players’ intelligence and decision-making to new levels both on and off the ball, creating more realistic and informed movement, building on the intensity of 1v1 situations, and unlocking the conditions for a true-to-life footballing experience that rewards you for your creativity and control all over the pitch
- CAREER MODE: Manage Every Moment in FIFA 21 Career Mode with new innovations that create additional depth in matches, transfers, and training to give you more control over your team’s rise to the top and make it easier than ever for you to begin your managerial career
- EA SPORTS VOLTA FOOTBALL: More ways to play; More customisation; More locations; Experience the soul of the streets together with friends as you show off your style in cages and courts around the world throughout various forms of small-sided football
- FIFA ULTIMATE TEAM: Enjoy brand new ways to play the most popular mode in FIFA as you build your dream squad of players past and present in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team.
- DUAL ENTITLEMENT* THIS OFFER EXPIRES UPON THE RELEASE OF FIFA 22, RESPECTIVELY; ACCESS TO UPGRADED VERSION OF PRODUCT FOR XBOX SERIES X AND PLAYSTATION 5 (“NEXT GENERATION” CONSOLES) REQUIRES INTERNET CONNECTION; FOR PHYSICAL PURCHASES OF PRODUCT, UPGRADE CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE TO NEXT GENERATION CONSOLES WITH OPTICAL DISC DRIVE AND YOU MUST RETAIN AND USE PHYSICAL DISC IN ORDER TO ACCESS UPGRADED VERSION
How do the gameplay and modes hold up?
Attacking play and defense
Review excerpts describe improved attacking movement and creativity, with quick passing more effective in advanced areas. The corresponding concern is defensive AI and balance: defending could feel inconsistent or frustrating, according to sampled reviews. This helps explain why reviewers could enjoy the pace and attacking possibilities without agreeing that the overall gameplay was substantially better.
Career Mode
Career Mode drew mixed reactions. GameSpot’s review excerpt describes the mode as a mixed part of a package with plenty to do. MeriStation’s October 6, 2020 review notes a match-simulation feature, while judging the core game familiar to FIFA 20. The sources support calling Career a point of divergence among reviewers, not a universally praised or rejected mode.
Rank #2
- 2 FIFA games for the price of 1
- Get FIFA 21 for both current and next generation game systems
- Up to 69.99 dollars in value for free
- Based on MSRP. Conditions apply. See "From the manufacturer" section below
Ultimate Team, VOLTA, and Pro Clubs
The breadth of activities is a recurring positive: reviewers highlight the ability to move among Career, Ultimate Team (FUT), VOLTA, and Pro Clubs rather than being confined to one style of play. MeriStation describes FUT as continuing to occupy a central place online and says building a top-level team may involve substantial time and reliance on microtransactions. That is the reviewer’s assessment, not a guarantee of how every player will experience the mode.
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Which platform version should you choose?
FIFA 21 was listed for PC, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X; EA’s next-generation release also covered Xbox Series S. The platform versions should not be treated as identical: EA announced next-generation presentation and animation features specifically for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Rank #3
- Shared Progression - Take your FUT Club and VOLTA FOOTBALL squad from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X/S and back again with cross-gen transfer markets and leaderboards in FUT 21, as well as all your FUT and VOLTA FOOTBALL content and progress
- PS5(tm) DualSense(tm) Haptics - From last-ditch goal saving blocks to in-off-the-bar screamers, a new DualSense controller on PlayStation(r)5 with rich and responsive haptic feedback deepens the gameplay experience. Sense the impact of shots, passes, and tackles with immersive controller haptics that respond to what happens on the pitch to let you feel the rhythm of the game in your hands
- EA SPORTS GameCam - Inspired by the look and feel of top-level football broadcasts, a new gameplay camera gives you a fresh perspective on every match. See more of the pitch to help you plan your build-up play or block passing lanes, and watch home and away fans react to the game in real time
- Next Level Realism - Next-gen technology creates a greater definition of player physique. Muscles flex after striking the ball, Frostbite(tm) enabled strand-based hair responds authentically to player movement for some of the game's biggest stars, and enhanced realism of faces and kit cloth take the world's best players to a whole new level of dynamic realism
- Upgrade your copy of FIFA 21 from PlayStation 4 or Xbox One to the equivalent next generation console (PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S) for free, and carry over all progress made and content acquired in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team and VOLTA FOOTBALL
EA said the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S editions would add faster loading, expanded player interactions, and Off-Ball Humanization animations. Those announced features describe the next-generation console editions, not every version of FIFA 21. Metacritic’s platform-specific scores also vary, so a review score for one system should not be assumed to apply to another.
Can a PS4 or Xbox One copy still be upgraded?
No. EA’s Dual Entitlement offer was historical and expired with FIFA 22’s release. Under the original terms, a qualifying PS4 or Xbox One copy could be upgraded to the equivalent PS5 or Xbox Series X|S version for free from December 4, 2020 until FIFA 22 launched. The offer required the same EA account and console-family manufacturer, plus internet access. EA said only FUT and VOLTA FOOTBALL progression and content transferred; other progress was not covered by those stated transfer terms.
Rank #4
- Upgrade to the PlayStation 5 (PS5) edition at no additional cost.
- In Career Mode, manage every moment as you chart your team's rise to the top. FIFA 21 Ultimate Team (FUT) lets you build your dream squad from thousands of global players, past and present.
- More scoring opportunities abound with all-new dynamic attacking systems, directed runs, directed pass and go, and player lock.
- Play with unrivalled authenticity with more than 17,000 players, 700 teams, 90 stadiums, and 30 leagues to give you the most true-to-life experience of the World’s Game.
- Volta Football brings you the soul of the streets as you show off your style on more than 20 unique pitches around the world, from Sao Paulo and Milan to Dubai and more.
Physical-copy owners had to keep and use the disc to access the upgraded version. That requirement matters for disc-less consoles: a physical PS4 or Xbox One copy could not serve as disc-free access to the upgrade.
Is FIFA 21 worth playing now?
For a series fan who wants a broad set of familiar modes and lively attacking football, the reviews make a reasonable case for FIFA 21. For someone expecting a substantial annual leap or consistently convincing defense, the same reviews counsel lower expectations. A platform-specific physical copy is a practical option only if it matches your console and you are comfortable buying a legacy entry; check the seller’s listing condition and disc compatibility before purchasing.
Best Value
- Two FIFA games for the price of one
- Get FIFA 21 for both current and next generation game systems
- Up to $69.99 in value for free
- Based on MSRP. Conditions apply. See "from the manufacturer" Section below
The available review and product information does not establish FIFA 21’s current server status, live-event availability, stock, or present-day price. Verify those details with an up-to-date official or retailer listing before making a decision.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Metacritic: FIFA 21 reviews and platform scores
- GameSpot: FIFA 21
- EA: FIFA 21 Dual Entitlement information
- EA: FIFA 21 next-generation deep dive
- MeriStation: FIFA 21 review, October 6, 2020
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
