In 1994, Electronic Arts launched its very first football game, simply called FIFA Soccer. For almost 30 years, the saga will continue, with an annual episode, not counting the opuses dedicated to events such as the Football World Cup or the EURO. However, since September 2023, the annual video game signed Electronic Arts has swapped its FIFA name for EA Sports FC.
A new competitor for EA Sports FC: here is UFL!
As for competition, if various studios tried the experiment in the 90s/2000s, only Konami, with its ISS/PES saga managed to shake up the giant FIFA. However, for several years now, Konami’s game has evolved into e-Football, at the same time adopting a free-to-play format. But in recent hours, it’s a certain UFL that’s been the talk of the town, a football game from a Cypriot studio, Strikerz Inc.
Like e-Football, the UFL game is free-to-play, and therefore downloadable for free. Obviously, the title is also full of microtransactions, but it must be said that with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo as ambassador, the title has something to tickle the curiosity of more than one football fan.
The game has partnered with FIFPro for licensing, but also with InStat for everything relating to player sports analyses. “Feel the thrill of football with UFL’s skill-based gameplay, designed for true fans of the sport. Play with skill, use strategy, and challenge players from around the world in the competitive and fair world of UFL” promises the studio.
Play NOW! The free-to-play @uflgame is live on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S! Grab your UFL Ambassador Pack at and get straight into action! Enjoy! 👊⚽️#uflgame #play4football #play4legacy #Ad
Official Rules apply pic.twitter.com/HmCELxp9ls— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 5, 2024
UFL should offer constant evolution through regular updates, the appearance of new modes and features, special events and seasonal tournaments. You can obviously play it solo, but also via various multiplayer modes, without forgetting of course the possibility of managing your own club. Remember that the game has been in development for several years, with an announcement dating back to 2021.
At the moment, if UFL’s intentions seem very laudable, it is nevertheless difficult to get excited about the game, which obviously lacks content on the one hand, but also gameplay that is sometimes quite messy, even if the latter tends at times to recall the sacrosanct PES. Obviously, we will have to wait a few more months to know if the UFL project is really viable, and if the effect of “curiosity” linked to the launch will really succeed in retaining players.
