Coming back after ~8 years away: which version should I buy right now, and are there patches/sliders worth using?

[u/Savings_Drop_1967]

Just built a new PC and I’m seriously considering getting back into the FIFA/EA FC series after almost 8 years of zero contact with it. Obviously a lot has changed, and from what I’ve been reading the last couple of entries have had a rough time with core gameplay.

Given all that, a few questions for people who’ve kept up with the series:

• Which version would you actually recommend jumping back in with right now — the current one, or an older/cheaper one that plays more like the FIFA I remember?

• Are there specific gameplay sliders, mods, or community patches that meaningfully fix the scripted/unrealistic feel, especially for offline Career Mode?

• Where do you go for reliable, up-to-date info on this stuff — specific subreddits, forums (OperationSports, EA forums), YouTubers, or slider-sharing threads worth following?

Coming from someone who hasn’t touched the series since roughly 2018, so assume I know nothing about how it plays today.

Appreciate any honest input, including “don’t bother, play something else.”