American football might be a team game, but there is always room for a superstar to dominate the proceedings, and that could very well be you in EA Sports College Football 25, especially if you are itching to jump into the Road to Glory mode. In yet another deep dive, Electronic Arts unleashes a sea of information about this fan-favourite mode, giving players plenty to think about before they lace up their cleats this July.
The core of the mode revolves around four main pillars. Players will live the life of a college athlete, go from week to week, enjoy the fast-paced and fun gameplay, and build a strong foundation for the future to come. Every decision made will have some sort of impact on your journey, and that is exactly what fans have been clamouring for.
Student Life
Things start off with choosing your path, with the following four available in College Football 25:
- Elite: A five-star prospect starting with the highest overall rating (OVR) of 79. This player is expected to get on the field immediately and start right away at most programs across the country. Additionally, you will receive one extra mental ability and the five starting skill points, which you can use to upgrade your player. We will dive further into how this all works later.
- Blue Chip: This is a four-star recruit with a strong starting point at a 75 OVR, along with one mental ability and four skill points. This player will be able to contribute immediately to most programs and earn significant playing time at some schools.
- Contributor: A three-star prospect who may have the chance to get on the field earlier in their career, but will have to work hard for any playing time. They do not get an additional mental ability and start with only three skill points.
- Underdog: This is the true underdog Road to Glory story. It is the hardest starting point, where you will see little playing time and have to earn every snap on the field. Starting as a two-star recruit with a 60 OVR and only receiving two skill points, this journey is for those who love a challenge.
Once that’s done, you will need to pick your position from QB, HB, WR, MLB, or CB, each offering unique sets of challenges and gameplay styles. Pick your archetypes to further influence your starting attributes and skill group caps, as well as which physical abilities are available, and then you can start customising your look and abilities.
Road to Glory in EA Sports College Football 25 isn’t just about the game, you will have to manage your time well. Although there are no exams, classes are part of your life, and juggling practice with your academic pursuits will come into play. Doing well in practice is always good, but not being eligible because of your studies will mean it’s all for nothing. Getting good grades is one thing, but so is taking care of your body, with the new Wear and Tear system something to look out for. Trying to spread your time well and effectively is going to be a tough ask.
Along the way, players will need to develop good relationships with their coaches and teammates, which can bring a host of buffs and debuffs depending on how things turn out. Mini-games might appear every once in a while as you vie for a starting spot, with the coach’s trust on the line.
And as you build your brand, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals will become part of the circus. The rewards can be gameplay bonuses and off-field bonuses, so be sure to weigh up the associated energy cost and the potential rewards.
Game Day
Immersion is key for Road to Glory in EA Sports College Football 25, and the new camera angle will place players right in the heart of the action, with other presentation elements helping to make things even more personal.
The effect of fans and home-field advantage is also tangible. As a quarterback, for example, challenges such as incorrect pre-play art, missing button icons, and miscommunication with your receivers when attempting to hot route them are obstacles designed to simulate the pressures of playing in a high-stakes environment. With good leadership, these can all be accounted for, but if you are still growing into your role, you will need to circumvent them somehow.
Similarly, when calling plays, the coach’s decision is usually the only one that matters, that is, until you have earned his trust to help with the process. Pre-snap adjustments can also optimise your chances of success, so work hard and make your effort count. And at the end of your college journey, there is always the opportunity to transition to Madden NFL 25 and its Superstar mode, so be sure to put in the hard work now and reap the benefits later.
The blog post contains even more details about Road to Glory, and be sure to catch up on Dynasty Mode and other gameplay innovations that are in place for the return of the franchise.
EA Sports College Football 25 will launch on July 19 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
