Dream League Soccer (DLS) has been a mainstay in the mobile soccer gaming world for years, and the latest iteration, DLS 2025, has arrived with the usual fanfare and anticipation. Building on its legacy of accessible gameplay and dedicated fanbase, DLS 2025 promises a revamped experience with enhanced gameplay, improved graphics, and a host of new features. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive deep into the opinions and discussions surrounding DLS 2025, exploring what’s new, what’s been improved, and where the game might fall short.
What’s New in DLS 2025?
DLS 2025 introduces a variety of changes aimed at refreshing the gameplay experience. Here are some of the key additions and improvements:
Gameplay Improvements
- Classic Players: For the first time, DLS 2025 allows you to add legendary figures from football history to your squad. Initially, iconic stars from the 1998 World Cup are available, with more legends expected to be added in the future. This addition injects a nostalgic element and allows players to create truly unique dream teams.
- Increased Squad Size: To accommodate the influx of classic players and provide more tactical depth, the squad size has been increased from 40 to 64 players. However, it’s important to note that this requires upgrading the accommodation facility, which can be costly in terms of in-game gems2.
- Enhanced Gameplay: DLS 2025 boasts overhauled gameplay mechanics, including more realistic tackling and improved AI movement. This translates to a more fluid and engaging on-pitch experience, with players exhibiting more intelligent positioning and reactions.
- “Just Hold C” is Dead: A significant change in gameplay mechanics is the removal of the “Just Hold C” tactic. This tactic, prevalent in previous versions, allowed players to easily launch long balls and dominate through aerial play. Its removal suggests a shift towards a more possession-based and tactical approach, encouraging players to build up play and utilize a wider range of passing options.
- Defending with Two Players: DLS 25 introduces the ability to defend with two players simultaneously. This new mechanic adds another layer of defensive strategy, allowing for more effective tackling and interceptions. This change, coupled with the removal of “Just Hold C,” could significantly impact the game’s meta, potentially favoring a more patient and controlled style of play.
- Referees Play Advantage: In a move towards greater realism, referees in DLS 25 now play advantage, allowing play to continue after a foul if the fouled team has a clear advantage. The referee will then administer the card once the play has stopped. This change promotes a more natural flow to the game and reduces unnecessary stoppages.
- Improved Free Kick Yardage Technology: DLS 25 features improved free kick yardage technology, making set pieces more accurate and realistic.
Visual Improvements
- Improved Graphics: The game features enhanced graphics, with more realistic player models and stadiums. This adds to the overall immersion and visual appeal of the game.
- New Animations: A variety of new animations have been added for in-game events, such as red cards, goal celebrations, and the pre-match lineup in the tunnel. These subtle additions enhance the visual experience and make the game feel more dynamic.
- Man of the Match (MOTM) Cutscenes: DLS 25 introduces MOTM cutscenes, showcasing the best player of the match at the end of the game. This adds another layer of realism and recognition for individual performances.
- Players with Low Socks: A small but noticeable detail is that players who wear low socks in real life now also do so in DLS 25. This attention to detail adds to the authenticity of the game4.
- Penalty Run-up Animations: The penalty run-up animations may have been subtly tweaked, potentially adding more variety and realism to penalty kicks.
New Additions
- Prize Ladder: A new prize ladder feature has been introduced, providing players with an incentive to consistently play and grind objectives. This ladder offers various rewards, including classic players, coins, and gems.
- Controller Support: DLS 25 now officially supports controllers, allowing players to experience the game with a more traditional control scheme.
- AI Difficulty Modes: The game now includes AI difficulty modes, with Medium and Hard options available. This allows players to tailor the challenge of career mode to their preference.
- Revamped Manager and Player Customization: DLS 25 offers more options for customizing your manager and players, allowing for greater personalization and team identity.
- Agents and Scouts: A new feature in DLS 25 is the ability to recruit agents and scouts. These individuals help identify top talent in the transfer market, potentially making it easier to find and sign promising players.
- Daily Scenarios and Dream Draft: DLS 25 includes daily scenarios and a Dream Draft mode, offering additional challenges and gameplay variations.
- Sorting Players in Subs Bench: Players can now sort their substitutes using GK, DF, MF, or FW categories, or a combination of them. This makes it easier to manage and select substitutes during matches.
- Difficulty Toggle in Settings: A difficulty toggle has been added to the settings menu, allowing players to easily adjust the AI difficulty in career mode.
The Prize Ladder: A Double-Edged Sword?
The new prize ladder feature in DLS 2025 has been met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, it provides a clear path for unlocking classic players and earning other rewards simply by playing the game. This can be a motivating factor for players who enjoy grinding and completing objectives.
However, some players find the prize ladder excessively grindy and time-consuming8. The requirements for reaching the top tiers and unlocking the best rewards can be demanding, potentially pushing players towards microtransactions to speed up the process. This raises concerns about the game’s balance and whether it favors players who are willing to spend money.
Ultimately, the prize ladder presents a trade-off. It offers valuable rewards and a sense of progression, but the grind required to achieve those rewards might be a turn-off for some players. Whether this system is ultimately beneficial or detrimental to the player experience remains a subject of debate.
Criticisms and Negative Feedback
Despite the new features and improvements, DLS 2025 has also received its share of criticism. Here are some of the key issues raised by players:
Gameplay Issues
- Downgraded Switching: One of the most common complaints is the perceived downgrade in the player switching mechanic. Players have reported that switching feels less responsive and sometimes results in selecting the wrong player, particularly in defensive situations. This can be frustrating and disrupt the flow of the game.
- Tackling Issues: Some players have found tackling to be inconsistent, describing it as a “50-50 situation” where the outcome feels random. They report that even when successfully tackling the AI, their player might not retain possession, allowing the opponent to regain control.
- Overly Difficult Hard Mode: While the addition of AI difficulty modes is welcome, some players find the Hard mode excessively challenging. This can make it difficult to progress in career mode and might be discouraging for some players.
- “Superhuman Opponents”: Some players have described the AI opponents as “superhuman,” particularly in online matches. They report that the opponents are incredibly difficult to tackle, dribble with ease, and seem to have an unfair advantage.
- Gameplay Beyond Division 3 Impossible: Several players have expressed frustration with the gameplay in the higher divisions, particularly beyond Division 3. They claim that the difficulty spikes significantly, making it nearly impossible to compete against opponents with maxed-out teams10.
- 3-Star Team Beating a 5-Star Team: There are reports of inconsistencies in team performance, with some players experiencing situations where a lower-rated team (e.g., 3-star) manages to defeat a higher-rated team (e.g., 5-star). This raises concerns about the game’s balance and the effectiveness of team ratings.
- Players Standing and Looking at the Ball: A recurring issue reported by players is that their players sometimes stand still and watch the ball instead of reacting to the situation. This can be particularly frustrating when it happens in crucial moments, such as when an interception or tackle is possible10.
- Slippery and Out of Control Gameplay: Some players have described the gameplay as feeling “slippery and out of control.” They report that players don’t always respond as expected, making it difficult to execute precise movements and passes.
- Switch Between Attack and Defense Control Not Smart Enough: Players have criticized the automatic switching between attack and defense control, finding it unreliable and often leading to unintended actions. For example, players might attempt to shoot but end up tackling instead due to the game switching to defense control at the wrong moment.
Visual and UI Concerns
- Small Player Cards: The redesigned player cards in the transfer market have been criticized for being too small, making it difficult to see player stats and positions clearly. This can make it challenging to evaluate players and make informed decisions in the transfer market.
- Clunky UI: The overall UI has been described as cluttered and confusing, particularly for new players. The home screen is said to be overwhelming, with too much information presented at once.
- Distracting UI: Some players find the UI distracting, making it harder to focus on the game. The color palette and the arrangement of elements have been criticized for not being user-friendly10.
- Boring Looking Cover and Interface: The overall aesthetic of the game, including the cover and interface, has been described as “boring looking” by some players.
- Card Design Too Bright: The design of the player cards has been criticized for being too bright, making it difficult to focus on the information presented.
- Bad Color Choice: The color choices used in the UI have been criticized for being unappealing and creating a visually jarring experience.
Other Criticisms
- Expensive Legendary Stadiums: The new legendary stadiums are locked behind a paywall, with the most expensive one costing $49 AUD. This has been met with criticism from players who feel that the price is too high for a purely cosmetic upgrade.
- Limited Controller Support: While controller support is a welcome addition, it has limitations. Players cannot remap buttons or control every menu with the controller. This can hinder the experience for those who prefer using a controller.
- Expensive Special Coaches: Special coaches for classic players are considered expensive compared to regular coaches. This can make it costly to fully upgrade classic players4.
- Lack of Squad Saving: Players cannot save different squads, making it tedious to reshuffle tired players after every match. This can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, especially for those who like to rotate their squad for different competitions.
- Freezing and Crashing: Some players have reported issues with the game freezing and crashing, particularly when playing against Bournemouth. This can be a major inconvenience and disrupt the gameplay experience.
- Minimum Capacity Limitation on Stadiums: Players have expressed frustration with the minimum capacity limitation on stadiums. This restriction prevents them from building smaller, more intimate stadiums and forces them to construct larger ones, even if they prefer a different aesthetic.
- Annoying Ads: The presence of ads in the game has been a source of annoyance for some players. They find the ads disruptive and intrusive, particularly after playing a match.
- Difficulty of Scenarios: The difficulty of the daily scenarios has been criticized for being excessively high. Some players find it nearly impossible to complete these scenarios, even with a strong team.
- Bad AI and Game Logic: Some players have reported issues with the AI and game logic, finding them to be inconsistent and unrealistic. They cite examples such as the AI making poor decisions, the game ending abruptly when the player is about to score, and the ability to score own goals from the center of the field.
- Untimely and Dissatisfactory Sound Effects: The sound effects in DLS 25 have been criticized for being out of sync with the on-screen action and lacking impact. Players have noted that the referee’s whistle is often delayed or absent, and the overall sound design feels less satisfying compared to previous versions.
- New Subs Thing on the Side Annoying: The new way of displaying substitutes on the side of the screen during matches has been criticized for making it difficult to find and select the desired player. The single-player-per-row format is considered less efficient than the previous design.
- Substitution During Goal Kick Happens Later: Players have reported an issue where substitutions made during a goal kick are not implemented immediately. Instead, the substitution occurs later when the ball goes out of play. This can be disruptive and lead to tactical disadvantages.
- Gameplay Feels Like Flowing Water: Some players have described the gameplay as feeling like “flowing water,” with players seemingly floating around the field and lacking weight or physicality. This can make the game feel less realistic and less responsive.
- 100 Ball Control Feels Like a Joke: Players have expressed disappointment with the effectiveness of ball control, even at the maximum level. They feel that even with 100 ball control, players don’t always maintain possession as expected, making it difficult to execute skills and dribble past opponents.
- Snow Animation Too Heavy: The snow animation in DLS 25 has been criticized for being too heavy and obscuring the ball at times. This can make it difficult to follow the action and play effectively in snowy conditions.
- Lack of Good Celebrations: Some players have expressed disappointment with the lack of new and exciting goal celebrations in DLS 25. They feel that the existing celebrations are repetitive and lack variety.
Suggestions for Improvement
Based on the feedback and suggestions from players, here are some potential areas for improvement in DLS 2025:
- Add a Search Player Feature in the Transfer Market: Allowing players to search for specific players in the transfer market would make it much easier to find and acquire desired players.
- Allow Players to be Offered or Apply to Coach Another Team: Introducing a feature where players can receive offers or apply to coach different teams would add more depth and realism to the career mode.
- Allow Players to Customize Other Teams and Leagues: Giving players the ability to customize the names, kits, and logos of other teams and leagues would add a new dimension of personalization and allow for more creative team building.
- Allow Players to Revert Back to the Start Without Losing Progress: Implementing a feature that allows players to restart their career mode without losing their overall progress would be a welcome addition. This would give players the freedom to experiment with different teams and strategies without the fear of losing their hard-earned achievements.
- Add Other Missing Leagues: Expanding the game to include more leagues from around the world would add more variety and realism to the game.
- Allow Players to Choose What League They Want to Be in at the Start of Every Season: Giving players the option to choose their starting league at the beginning of each season would add more flexibility and control over their career progression.
- Allow Players to Receive Offers for Their Players and Send Offers to Other Teams: Introducing a more dynamic transfer system where players can receive offers for their players and send offers to other teams would make the transfer market more engaging and realistic.
- Improve Team Logo Customization: Providing more options and tools for customizing team logos would allow players to create more unique and visually appealing team identities.
- Allow Players to Look at Other Players’ Custom Kits/Logos and Copy and Paste Certain Parts: Implementing a feature where players can view and potentially copy elements from other players’ custom kits and logos would foster creativity and community interaction.
- Show the NPC Coach’s Name and Win History: Displaying the name and win history of the opposing coach in career mode would add a personal touch and make the matches feel more meaningful.
- Have Better Coach Customization: Providing more options for customizing the appearance and attributes of coaches would enhance the managerial aspect of the game.
- Add an Option of Making a Team A and Team B Within the Squad: Allowing players to create separate “Team A” and “Team B” squads within their main squad would make it easier to manage and rotate players for different competitions.
Reviews
DLS 2025 has garnered a range of reviews, with some praising its improvements while others point out areas for refinement. Here’s a summary of some of the key reviews:
- Graphics and Design: The game’s graphics have generally been well-received, with reviewers noting the improved realism of stadiums and player models. However, some aspects, such as crowd details, still need improvement.
- Gameplay: Reviewers have praised the smooth player controls and the tactical depth offered by the game. The ability to build a dream team with FIFPRO™ licensed players remains a major draw.
Overall Sentiment and Reception
The overall sentiment towards DLS 2025 is a mixed bag. While many players appreciate the new features and improvements, particularly the addition of classic players and the enhanced gameplay, there are concerns about certain aspects of the game.
The grindy nature of the prize ladder is a point of contention. While it offers incentives for consistent play, the time and effort required to unlock the best rewards might be excessive for some players. This, coupled with the presence of microtransactions, raises concerns about the game’s balance and whether it leans too heavily towards monetization.
The issues with player switching, the small player cards, and the clunky UI are also common complaints. These issues can negatively impact the user experience and detract from the enjoyment of the game.
Despite these criticisms, DLS 2025 remains a popular and engaging mobile soccer game7. The core gameplay is still enjoyable, and the addition of classic players and other new features adds a fresh layer of excitement. However, the developers need to address the concerns raised by players to ensure that the game remains a balanced and rewarding experience for everyone.
Synthesis and Conclusion
DLS 2025 represents a significant step in the evolution of the Dream League Soccer franchise. The introduction of classic players, the enhanced gameplay mechanics, and the expanded squad size are all welcome additions that add depth and excitement to the game.
However, DLS 25 is not without its flaws. The grindy prize ladder, the issues with player switching, and the clunky UI are all areas that need attention from the developers. The increased focus on microtransactions is also a concern, as it could create an uneven playing field and discourage players who prefer a free-to-play experience.
Ultimately, the success of DLS 2025 will depend on how well the developers address these criticisms and balance the gameplay to provide a rewarding experience for all players. If they can successfully address these concerns, DLS 2025 has the potential to be the best installment in the franchise yet.
Tricia Nelson is a skilled writer at 3Zebras, known for her insightful articles on technology, science, and gaming. She covers a wide range of topics, from the potential of nanotechnology in mimicking cobwebs to exploring new discoveries in astronomy. Tricia’s work stands out for its clear explanations and engaging style, making complex subjects accessible to all readers. Her contributions have made her a respected voice in the 3Zebras community,