FIFA 23 – A Stunning Way To End an Era

It’s that time of year again! FIFA 23 is out, the last FIFA to be developed by EA. Will it live up to the series’ legacy or buckle under its weight?

Game Name: FIFA 23
Platform(s): Xbox Series S/X (reviewed), Xbox One, PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Publisher(s): EA
Developer(s): EA
Release Date: September 3oth 2022

FIFA 23 is the latest offering of ‘the beautiful game’ from developers EA. Many of its modes remain largely the same. So, I hear you ask, what has EA done to make this final outing for the FIFA franchise stand out? Let me tell you!

A Change of Pace 

You’ll immediately notice a massive difference in the gameplay when playing FIFA 23, especially on a current-gen console. Compared to FIFA 22, everything feels slightly slower but more calculated. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the completely overhauled dribbling system makes individual star players feel massively different when running with the ball. The close control of Thiago Alcântara or the quick feet of Raheem Sterling feels different to control. While this improvement may be reserved for only the big-name players, improvements are also across the board.

Thanks to LOTS of new animations, both for outfield players and goalkeepers. This means you can pass in situations that you couldn’t before, get to a header you would have missed, and more. Somewhat frustrating when it comes to the goalkeepers, these animations seem to cause confusion. With keepers not using the most realistic animation for the situation. Particularly in One v One opportunities. Resulting in some goals that clearly would have been saved in the real world.

Luckily, it’s the only negative I could find with gameplay currently. One that is massively outweighed by the new additions to gameplay, such as the power shot and hard tackles. The power shot is, as its name suggests, a more powerful and accurate shot. In theory, making it easier to score some fantastic goals, along with some risks. The aiming for this type of shot is completely manual, and the animation is slower. Which potentially allowing for a hard tackle.  This tackle is a new defensive option a way to get the ball as far away as possible, but miss time it, and you’ll probably get a Red Card. The last major change to gameplay comes in the form of set pieces.

Set pieces in FIFA have been redesigned. For free kicks and corners, you now choose your point of contact with the ball using the right stick. Which sets the curve of the ball, you then aim with the left stick as normal. Penalties have also been redesigned, making them much easier. You hold the left stick in the direction you wish to aim. Then just have to power your shot at the right time. This is indicated by a circle around the ball that is constantly changing size. Power the shot when this is as small as possible for an almost certain goal.

These changes make FIFA feel more different on the pitch than it has in years. A welcome change of pace in all the right ways! I absolutely love playing matches, which hasn’t always been the case for the series.

Familiar Modes…Mostly

Of course, what happens on the pitch doesn’t matter without ways to engage with it. Unfortunately, the modes on offer here are mostly the same. Career Mode – Player or Manager, Pro Clubs, Volta, Online Seasons, and of course… Ultimate Team (FUT).

First, let’s talk about Career Mode. Here the most improvement is seen in the Player Career Mode. Where you now have Personalities that are dictated by both your on-field and off-field actions. That’s right, the things you do matter. You get the option to do certain things off the pitch, attend charity auctions, buy luxury items, etc. While this is only menu based, which is a shame. Your choices impact your personality, which impacts the boost you get or don’t get to certain stats. There are three personality types, Maverick, Virtuoso, and Heartbeat; you can choose to focus on one or try to balance them all.

Outside of that, most of the Player Career Mode remains the same. You can still do training which improves manager rating as always. What you decide to train in also affects your personality. There is one more change, in some ways a game-changing one. The ability to play the highlights of a match, which essentially makes you play only key moments. You can choose to do this as your individual player or the entire team. It’s not a perfect system, arguably making it too easy to win games. It is a great way to jump in and progress a lot in a short space of time. So if you only have an hour or less to play definitely give it a go. Yes, playable highlights are also available in manager career mode.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t test Pro Clubs outside of drop-in matches, but this functioned exactly the same as FIFA 22. Volta and Online Seasons similarly appear to be identical.

Now on to FUT, the mode that most people buy FIFA for and where I spent half my twenty hours of playtime. There are some changes this year. The biggest one of all is the brand new chemistry system. Gone are the chemistry lines of old. Now players don’t have to be linked by a line to receive those chemistry boosts. It’s purely about the league and team they play for, as while as their nationality. For example, a Centre Back and a Striker can now get boosted by each other. If they play in the same league or team or share the same nationality. Each player has three maximum chemistry boost depending on these factors. Perhaps the best part of the new Chemistry System, is players without chemistry are no longer negatively affected.

Unlike in previous games, they will play at their base stats rather than being downgraded. Another new addition to FUT is that of FUT Moments. A new way to play and earn rewards. This is essentially a challenge mode where you are put in scenarios you must complete within a certain time. Completing these challenges will net you FUT Stars, which can be used to unlock special packs or items. The item I’m currently chasing is the Ted Lasso manager card. FUT Moments is a great way to jump in and play for a short time while still feeling like you are progressing towards something. These challenges look like they are going to be updated weekly and seasonally. So there will always be more to do.

Unfortunately, outside of this, the offering of modes within FUT remains identical with FUT Champs, FUT Draft, and all the usual suspects.  Thankfully the addition of FUT moments provides a new way to enjoy the mode. Without having to spend money to feel on an even playing field.

Freshened Up Presentation

I’m pleased to say there have been some presentational changes for FIFA 23. Audio-wise while commentary remains largely the same, there are some new sounds for impact with the net, and tackles sound harder than ever.  There’s a new soundtrack, with some great songs accompanying it.

Most of the presentation changes come in the visual form. From the pitch, actually retaining damage from slide tackles or knee sliding goal celebrations. The new mini-scenes for throw-ins, corners, and free kicks in big moments. All the way to a new UI and additional cutscenes in Career Mode. Used to highlight big matches or transfer signings. Things just feel more authentic, and big moments feel bigger because of it. FIFA 23 is the best-looking and sounding game in the series, without a doubt.

Summary

FIFA 23 is a fitting end to a great partnership between FIFA and EA. Perhaps the best representation of the actual game we have ever had. There may not be much on offer in the way of new modes. Ultimately the improvements to what is there through the enhanced presentation, the tweaks to systems, and more, help make the game more enjoyable where it matters most. The gameplay feels more different than ever while playing a match, and for me, better than ever. I hope this is a sign of things to come for EA’s Football/Soccer offering as they move on to EA Sports FC in 2023.

Review Disclosure Statement: FIFA 23 was purchased by Outerhaven for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy for more info.