Originally launched way back in 2014 as EA Access, the EA Play subscription has become a completely ubiquitous offer for players looking to unlock immediate access to an incredible array of games. We're talking FPS, sports games, action adventures, platformers, and more.

Here, we've prepared a comprehensive look at everything that EA Play offers in a handy format. It's a good way to refresh your outlook on what is easily Electronic Arts' best gaming product, and possibly the best video game deal on the market - full stop. On the other hand, if you're only just dipping your toes into subscription-based gaming, this is your chance to weigh EA Play and see if it's the right choice for you.

Spoiler alert: it is an amazing deal, however you spin it. As with anything else, though, there are a few caveats in place, too. Let's get to it!

What makes EA Play such a good deal?

Over the years, Electronic Arts has built EA Play from the ground up on four basic premises. Essentially, the goal is for the subscribers to:

• Feel appropriately rewarded by unlocking exclusive rewards and content
• Always have something new for them to play
• Get more game-time for less money
• Have an opportunity to play new games as soon as they're out

The only real reason why EA has had the opportunity to follow through with these promises is that they've got an immense library of games, both new and old. As far as game publishers go, EA is one of the most ubiquitous, ever-present gaming companies ever, and we've no doubt that it's this ubiquity that has provided them with enough content to keep people coming back for more.

And - yes - there is always a reason to come back to EA Play. As a stellar example, here are just some of the more popular gaming franchises EA has fostered into gargantuan IP powerhouses since 1983:

• FIFA
• Battlefield
• Mass Effect
• The Sims
• Apex Legends/Titanfall
• Need for Speed
• Star Wars games
• Plants vs Zombies

Again - this is all just scratching the surface. EA Play is as enticing as it is not just because it affords you easy access to the vast majority (or all) of Electronic Arts' impressive lineup. It's impressive because it's an amazing selection of games both classic and fresh, and downright phenomenal more often than not.

The important bit to keep in mind, of course, is that there are two tiers of EA Play subscription. Though both are pretty stellar, you do get varying levels of access to EA's game library.

EA Play vs EA Play Pro

Of course, it goes without saying that both variants of the EA Play subscription are an awesome bang for one's buck. Depending on your interests and preferences, though, you may lean towards one or the other. We've prepared a table to help you make up your mind!

That ought to clear things up, far as the differences between EA Play and EA Play Pro go. Basically, Pro-tier subscribers get pretty much everything all at once, and with unlimited access to content across the board. Regular EA Play users, on the other hand, have an allotted maximum of 10 hours of playtime for each new game (tracked account-wide, of course), and unlimited access to a curated selection of EA titles.

Naturally, the matter of price is very much relevant here. The Pro version of the EA Play subscription is substantially more expensive and isn't quite as amazing a value proposition as the baseline EA Play subscription. Regardless, for fans of FIFA, Battlefield, and - say - Need for Speed, it's the best way to play Electronic Arts' latest and greatest without spending $60 a pop.

Games Access - What do you actually get with an EA Play Subscription?

As you can surely imagine, EA has quite the library of games on offer. The full list has grown increasingly unwieldy over the years due to its sheer breadth, so we won't even try to list all the different games you get by subscribing. The short of it is that EA Play on its own nets you about 200 unique titles, whereas EA Play Pro goes a step further and unlocks all the EA Games - almost 250 of them in total.

The most important difference, of course, is that the newest and most exciting releases are usually limited to Play Pro subscriptions. Regular EA Play subscribers get up to 10 hours' worth of playtime, however, which could easily be enough time to finish some of the games on offer. It Takes Two, for example, can be mopped up rather nicely in less than a dozen hours, making it and similar titles a stellar choice no matter how much spending money you might have for gaming.

And really, it's access that matters the most. At the moment of writing, there are two major Electronic Arts titles that users ought to be interested in: FIFA 22 and Battlefield 2042. If you want to get early access to these games (once available), and if you want to play them to your heart's content - EA Play Pro is the way to go.

Top 10 Games to check out on EA Play

Now, if you're still looking for recommendations, we've got plenty! Of course, setting aside the fact that you should have at least a few games in mind to try out while you're subscribed to EA Play. Here's our shortlist of must-play titles:

• Need for Speed: Heat
• Battlefield V
• A Way Out
• Burnout Paradise Remastered
• Star Wars: Battlefront II
• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
• Titanfall 2
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2
• Dragon Age: Origins
• Mirror's Edge: Catalyst

Of course, it's also worth pointing out that EA has continuously kept adding more and more non-EA games to their EA Play service. In practice, this means that - alongside all the awesome Electronic Arts titles - you'll also get access to games such as Dirt Rally, GRID, and others. It's a truly marvelous setup, especially if you consider how cheap it actually is.

EA Play Subscription FAQ

What is the EA Play Subscription?

The EA Play subscription is a special gaming service provided by Electronic Arts which allows gamers to play hundreds of games without buying them. All you need to do is to sign up for a monthly (or yearly) subscription, and you'll be good to go.

How much is a subscription to EA Play?

There are two different tiers (EA Play and EA Play Pro), and you can find a detailed breakdown of the pricing in the appropriate section of this article. Generally, you're going to spend between €3.99 and €14.99 per month. Note that the price does drop if you sign up for a longer period of time, however.

Is FIFA 22 included in EA Play?

FIFA 22 is included as part of the EA Play Pro subscription. You can start playing the game right now, in fact, if you sign up for the subscription. This is particularly noteworthy because the game was first made available for Pro subscribers on September 22nd, with its Ultimate Edition release slated for September 27th, and the full, proper launch coming up on October 1st. EA Play Pro subscribers got FIFA 22 the earliest.

Does EA Play only have Electronic Arts games?

Not at all! EA Play subscription also covers a wide variety of non-EA games, though this is a curated selection featuring Electronic Arts' partners, and does not include all modern game releases on PC:

Do you keep games with EA Play?

If your EA Play subscription runs out, you're going to lose access to all games you may have played while your subscription was active. This is pretty self-explanatory, as the setup mirrors that of video streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix. The good news, though, is that Electronic Arts will keep your save games safe and sound if you choose to pause your subscription for a while. So, you can just continue playing as if nothing happened in-between.

What is the point of EA Access?

EA Access allows users to try out a huge array of games from Electronic Arts (and otherwise) without having to splurge on each and every one of them. Better yet, it often comes with early access deals, allowing subscribers to play certain games before they come out for the general gaming public to enjoy. FIFA 22 is the latest prominent example.

Can I get EA games for free?

As of right now, there's no way for you to get EA games for free outside of limited-time offers and special deals. Your best choice - if you want to play a whole bunch of them one after another - will be to get the basic version of EA Play and get in as much playtime as you want with them!