FIFA 23 builds on the foundation of current-gen hardware laid by its predecessor to rank as the most authentic and complete soccer simulator ever made. It still cannot escape the frustrations that have tainted the FIFA experience for several years, but the addition of HyperMotion 2 technology and the revamping of long-standing game mechanics make FIFA 23 seem like something close to the swan song this decade-old franchise deserves.
Perhaps it is for the best, then, that EA has ended its decade-long partnership with FIFA’s royalty organization after the latter reportedly demanded a $1 billion price tag to renew EA’s naming rights agreement. The virtual franchise will live on the first of many EA Sports FC-branded titles seems inevitable but not before the pair has finished with one last co-authored title for current and past-generation consoles. So here is FIFA 23, a latest effort that benefits immensely from the high standards set by its predecessor, but also adds enough material improvements to merit a place among the best titles in the series.
About
Release date: 27 September 2022
Developers: Electronic Arts, EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publishers: Electronic Arts, EA Sports
Price: $69.99
System Requirements
Memory: 12 GB
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700
File Size: 100 GB
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Powering Across Generations
There is consistency on the field as well. (I played FIFA 23 on a PS5 and an Xbox One X.) The differences between FIFA 22 and FIFA 23 are minimal as long as the comparison is on the same generation of platforms: PS4 + Xbox One and PS5 + Xbox Series S/X. Unless, of course, you’re playing on PC. In that case, EA has upgraded you (after ignoring PC players last year). While FIFA 22 for PC was compared to PS4 and Xbox One, FIFA 23 for PC is now on par with PS5 and Series S/X.
However, the differences between the previous and the new generation are more pronounced. With HyperMotion 2, “machine learning,” advanced match capture, and a wider playing field, the new generation of FIFA 23 has diverged further from its predecessor. Artificial intelligence, in particular, defends better on the new generation, faster players do not feel as overpowered, and the ball moves over the surface and through the air more believably.
In FIFA 23, just as in FIFA 22, high overall players, from Luka Modrić of Real Madrid to Kheira Hamraoui of Paris Saint-Germain, can easily deposit long shots into the high corner. These include breathtaking shots from outside the box. Other players of their caliber are wont to unleash impossible curls, which swoop and dart through the air, getting around the goalkeeper in incredible fashion, before rippling into the net.
Set-Pieces
When some of those bounces cross the goal line and are cleared for a corner, you’ll be greeted by the new setting that FIFA 23 brings. EA Sports switches from the game’s camera to a third-person perspective, taking us back to the days of FIFA 2005. The left stick decides where the ball goes, with a trajectory line offering a preview of the first few yards. The right stick decides which part of the ball to hit, and controls the curvature, height and type of shot.
It’s not the most intuitive setting, especially when you’ve spent years switching to the previous one. After several hours, we’re still getting a handle on the directional control, and it will take a while to master it. Speaking of free kicks: Free kicks and penalties have also been reworked in FIFA 23. Free kicks have the same behavior as the new corners. On the defensive side, it’s now possible to leave one of the players behind the wall.
Defending
FIFA 23 allows the AI and players to be more aggressive than is natural. The complaints we had with FIFA 22 still apply. Obvious fouls are not sanctioned, especially those off the ball. And a new tackle mechanic could make things worse. FIFA 23 introduces R1/RB + O sliding tackles, designed for “urgent situations” where keeping the ball in play is not important. We’ve seen situations where we’ve been able to get away with a hard tackle from behind without receiving a yellow card, and we’re sure this mechanic will break down in FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) when the 95-plus cards come into play.
For what it’s worth, sliding tackles are still a rare occurrence in FIFA, especially in the higher levels of competitive modes. Usually running, positioning and standing tackles are enough. And now EA has taught the AI as well. In FIFA 23, at least on the new generation, the AI does a better job of taking away passing options while simultaneously encircling the player on the ball. It is quite effective, and we found it more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces in FIFA 23 than in FIFA 22.
Cross-Play
The biggest change in FIFA 23 off the field is the very, very late introduction of cross-platform play. This means that matches can be played on PC, Stadia, Xbox and PlayStation. This is great news, but it is still woefully limited. The big hurdle is that FIFA 23’s cross-play is limited to 1v1 modes only. This is strange, since EA makes a big deal about soccer for everyone. If it wants to be inclusive, perhaps it should not ignore everyone who has a friend.
In FIFA 23, friends can only play with each other in Online Friendly and FUT Play with a Friend. This means there is only one casual way to play with your friends. Volta cross-play? No. Cross-play in Champions League? No. Internal rules? Also a no. Being in the same room with your friends allows you to play in a thousand different ways, be it FUT, Kick-Off, Career, Seasons or Tournaments, but if you are in different locations, FIFA 23 has almost nothing to offer.
Conclusion
Whether or not you choose to play FIFA 23 depends on your passion for the sport. If you are a big soccer fan, this is probably the best FIFA in a long time and one of the most enjoyable soccer video games. Even if you are new to the series or looking to get back into it, this is probably the best place to start, and since it is the latest EA Sports title under the FIFA name, it is more than worth playing.
However, it is important to note that while some of the game’s modes are completely free of microtransactions and free to explore, this is not the case everywhere. If you want to get the most out of FIFA Ultimate Team, you will have to be prepared to spend money or settle for a slightly worse team than you might encounter.
