FIFA 23 is the final EA Sports FIFA title before EA and FIFA go their separate ways, so can the series finish with a flourish?
FIFA 23 is available now for those who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition of the game, and for EA Play subscribers, with the game available worldwide from Friday, September 30, 2022. EA Sports and FIFA confirmed earlier this year that FIFA 23 would be the last title from the 30-year-old gaming juggernaut that was the EA Sports FIFA series, with EA confirming they would be releasing a new game called EA Sports FC next year.
But, that doesn't mean that EA Sports hasn't pulled out all the stops for FIFA 23, with EA introducing a number of new features, improvements and significant gameplay changes to this year's game, including cross-play, although it is absent from a significant mode at launch.
FIFA 23 gameplay changes
HyperMotion 2 debuts in FIFA 23 for next-gen consoles, Stadia and PC, with EA using the data from two full-match motion capture shoots and training drills with professional teams, with the aim of getting more true-to-life animations.
Regardless of HyperMotion 2's impact on gameplay, FIFA 23 looks superb graphically on Xbox Series X, PC and PS5.
EA claim that Machine learning, along with the live capture data, adds more unique animations, and improvements to jockeying, acceleration, ball striking and more. EA also promised significant gameplay changes, with a new skill-based mechanic called Power Shots, re-designed set pieces, Technical Dribbling and AcceleRATE, which divides players into unique speed archetypes, and updates to core gameplay elements, such as shooting, passing, skill moves and player switching.
As a result, the Xbox Series X, PS5 and PC version of FIFA 23 feels significantly different to last year's title. It's probably the biggest gameplay update we've seen in recent years, whilst still having the feel of a FIFA game.
In recent years, gameplay changes have been promised but ultimately, the muscle memory you'd learned from the previous title still applied. But, not in FIFA 23.
Left stick dribbling is completely gone, animations feel new, set pieces have been overhauled, slow players are slow, fast players are fast, running is different, passing is (finally) responsive, skill moves are effective and shooting feels fresh. In short, the gameplay changes are significant.
Left stick dribbling just isn't a thing in FIFA 23, despite EA talking a lot about a new left stick-controlled Technical Dribbling system, it's just too slow to use. You'll need to re-train your muscle memory in the first few weeks because agile dribbling is the way to go, you can do this by pressing RB on Xbox or R1 on PS, and it'll allow you to take loads of small touches in and around the box.
Speaking of dribbling, skill moves are actually effective in FIFA 23, finally offering naturally skilful players the chance to bypass opponents with creative skills. But this also means that it's more difficult to beat players just by running forwards aimlessly in the centre of the pitch, players feel much more restrictive in their movement when fully sprinting, so you have to be more creative, particularly with your slower players. Plus, left-footed players are able to do skill moves with their preferred foot now!
The new AcceleRATE gameplay feature divides players into one of three speed archetypes, the default one is 'Controlled', which is given to the majority of players, who accelerate uniformly in a controlled manner.
But there are two new archetypes, 'Explosive' and 'Lengthy', with the former given to shorter and more agile players who can burst forwards but slows down quickly, whilst the later is given to smaller and stronger players who start slow but reach a higher top speed.
In practical terms, this makes foot races between players much more interesting and varied in FIFA 23, compared to previous years, as it's no longer immediately obvious who could get to the ball first. Another change is that slower players feel very slow, whilst fast players can take advantage of their speed, however, this was also the case at the start of FIFA 22 only for it to be patched, so hopefully, this stays for the long-term.
The biggest and most significant gameplay change in FIFA 23 is the passing. Passing in FIFA 23 feels snappy, responsive and instant, allowing for controlled possession, quick counter-attacks and accurate passing in and around the box.
It feels like the passing animation has been shortened significantly, so there's far less time between you pressing A, the player pulling their leg back and then connecting with the ball. This is a huge change and makes a big difference to gameplay. You can also do outside-of-the-foot passes, off-the-back passes and volley passes in FIFA 23.
Set pieces, including free-kicks, penalties and corners have been completely re-designed, with players now able to choose exactly where the contact is made with the ball and therefore having more control over the direction, trajectory and curl.
There have been improvements to player switching, but it's still not perfect. There are still occasions where no matter how hard you try, you just can't cycle to the right player, but, it is better than in FIFA 22.
Shooting in FIFA 23 feels fresh in that the shots that used to work so well in FIFA 22 now don't. Shots across the box are currently overpowered, maybe too much, with finesse shots the go-to method for goals both inside and outside the box. This also may tie into the fact that goalkeepers, on the whole, seem to be currently making weird saving decisions, but this may be fixed in a patch.
There's also the brand new shooting mechanic called a Power Shot, which is activated by pressing L1 + R1 + Circle on PS or LB + RB + B on Xbox. Once you've pressed the buttons needed, the longer-than-normal shot animation begins, giving you a small window of time where you have to manually aim towards goal. If you get it right, it can lead to some great goals. But, get it wrong and it's hilariously off-target. But overall it's a good thing, the more skill gap within the game, the better.
FIFA 23 mode updates
FIFA 23 is the first-ever FIFA title to feature cross-play, so after years of waiting, players on Xbox, PlayStation and PC can now play against each other in modes such as Ultimate Team, Online Friendlies, Online Seasons and more.
But, cross-play won't be coming to Pro Clubs in FIFA 23, at launch anyway. Following EA's cross-play announcement in July, there was significant backlash from the Pro Clubs community about why Pro Clubs wasn't getting cross-play in FIFA 23. EA responded to the movement, explaining that this was due to "added complexity in developing modes with multiple players playing on the same team".
In a follow-statement in early August, EA hinted that cross-play could be coming to Pro Clubs in FIFA 23 after launch, but refrained from making any clear promises, so watch this space.
In addition to the lack of cross-play, Pro Clubs has received only minor updates, with shared seasons progress between Volta and Pro Clubs, four new perks and some other minor changes.
Ultimate Team, however, has undergone some sizeable changes, with EA completely reworking the Chemistry system in FUT 23. It's now out of 33, with a new three-star system in place for each player. It'll take some time to get used to, and despite some players already complaining that some SBCs are too difficult to complete, the community will get used to it with time.
EA also continues to include loot box mechanics in Ultimate Team, in the form of packs. Loot boxes are a feature within video games that involve opening a mystery box or pack, that can be obtained through the use of in-game currency or real-life money. When opened in FIFA Ultimate Team, the loot boxes or packs contain a random collection of in-game player items.
In July, a 22-month consultation by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) found evidence that links loot boxes in video games with problem gambling, but the UK government has so far decided against an outright ban on loot boxes. Instead, the UK Government has called for companies like EA to bring in measures to keep young players safe.
This outcome means that loot boxes won't fall under review of the UK's sweeping Gambling Act, but the government have called for loot box purchases to be made unavailable to all children and young people unless enabled by a guardian and for all players to have access to spending controls.
EA previously told Mirror Football that they disagree that there is a gambling element in FIFA. "We also firmly disagree that FIFA or any of our games involve gambling," EA told Mirror Football.
"Regulators in multiple countries around the world have stated publicly that where there is no cashout method, loot boxes do not constitute gambling."
Career mode, one of the most-loved modes in FIFA, has also had a few relatively minor updates. There's a new way to play matches called Playable Highlights so that players only have to take control of key moments. Players can also now play Manager Career with a real-life licensed manager, whilst Player Career now features personality archetypes and personality points, which can be used to upgrade.
Ted Lasso will also be coming to FIFA 23, with fictional football club AFC Richmond a playable club in Career Mode, Kick-Off, Online Friendlies and Online Seasons.
As well as the team, players will be able to use Lasso as a manager in FIFA 23 Career Mode, whilst Lasso and AFC Richmond assistant manager Coach Beard will also receive managerial items in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team. It was also confirmed that AFC Richmond, who are a Premier League side in the TV show, will be placed into the 'Rest of World' League on FIFA 23.
FIFA 23 Women's football and World Cup
In what is another first for the FIFA series, women's football domestic leagues such as the Barclays FA Women’s Super League (WSL) and France D1 Arkema (D1F) will be included at launch, with other leagues set to be included in future. That's in addition to Women's national teams, with a FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 post-launch update set to be rolled out later this year.
HyperMotion 2 technology also enabled EA to bring women's football as true-to-life as possible, with unique animations, motions and graphics compared to men's football.
The men's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will also be launched later this year, with EA promising more news on that in the coming months, including some Ultimate Team integration.
FIFA 23 Verdict: 4/5
FIFA 23 is a significant upgrade from FIFA 22, with the game featuring best-in-class graphics, responsive gameplay, cross-play, women's domestic leagues and much more besides.
However, the lack of cross-play in Pro Clubs at launch is a disappointment, and so too are the relatively minor changes to modes such as Pro Clubs, Career Mode and Volta. Pro Clubs and Career Mode specifically have so much potential and community buy-in, but it doesn't feel like they are anywhere near as good as they could be.
There are still a few tweaks that need to be made in regards to goalkeepers, player switching and more, but overall, the gameplay feels responsive and varied. The gameplay changes are enough for it to feel like a fresh experience, particularly in regards to passing, shooting and dribbling.
From a gameplay perspective, FIFA 23 features the biggest improvement we've seen in recent years, with the game also looking better than ever graphically.
FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on September 30. Early access for FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins on September 27, 2022.
