FIFA 23 Review: Last Dance? The Old Dog Still Has Tricks, But the Same Old Problems Remain
FIFA 23 marks the final chapter of EA Sports’ iconic football franchise, at least as we know it. With FIFA demanding hefty fees for renewing their license, EA has decided to cut ties entirely, ushering in a new era starting from next year with the awkwardly named “EA Sports FC”. For now, though, the familiar name persists, and despite some updates, FIFA 23 feels like a game stuck in limbo, offering familiar thrills but also frustratingly similar shortcomings. The question is: is this final hurrah worth your hard-earned cash?
Gameplay: Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary
FIFA 23‘s gameplay primarily focuses on evolution rather than revolution. On the pitch, the differences between FIFA 22 and 23 are minimal, especially when comparing the same platform generation. PC players, however, are finally treated to a new-gen upgrade, aligning with the PS5 and Series S/X experience. HyperMotion 2 technology, powered by machine learning and advanced match capture, elevates the visual fidelity of the new-gen experience, with more detailed pitch textures, more fluid player movements, and a more realistic ball physics.
However, the legacy of overpowered mechanics persists. Long shots and curlers remain too potent, allowing even mid-level players like Luka Modrić to effortlessly deposit the ball in the top corner with seemingly impossible accuracy. While the new Power Shot mechanic adds a layer of risk and reward, it feels more like a borrowed arcade mechanic than a nuanced gameplay element. Additionally, the newly revamped corners, free kicks, and penalties, while aiming for immersion, fall short of being truly intuitive and user-friendly.
A Step Back for Defenders, A Leap For AI… Perhaps?
On the defensive end, things become even more complicated. FIFA 23 introduces Hard Slide Tackles, which, while intended for desperate situations, raises concerns about its potential to further disrupt the game’s balance, especially in competitive modes. The existing tackle mechanics remain largely unchanged, while AI defenders become more aggressive in crowding out opponents and cutting off through balls. This can lead to increased frustration and a sense of unfairness due to the lack of consistency in foul detection and the overzealous nature of AI tackling.
Partial Team Press, a new addition aimed at allowing more control over team pressure, provides a seemingly more nuanced approach than the full-blown Team Press, but its limitations, particularly the lack of compatibility with Teammate Contain, render it less effective than intended.
While the new gen AI shows improvements in blocking passing options and anticipating opponent movement, there’s still a disconnect between the reality of actual football and the digital representation on the pitch.
The Cross-Play Revolution: A Half-Baked Promise
FIFA 23 finally embraces cross-platform play, enabling matchmaking across PC, Stadia, Xbox, and PlayStation. This is a welcome addition for players who want to connect with friends across different platforms. However, the implementation feels disappointing, as it’s currently limited to 1v1 modes only. This exclusion of other game modes, including Volta and Co-op experiences, is a major missed opportunity, and it feels like a rather half-hearted attempt at inclusivity.
Additionally, cross-play between generations is still blocked, meaning a PS4 player cannot be matched with a PS5 player, further limiting the potential of this feature.
Women’s Leagues Arrive… But Are They Welcome?
Perhaps the most significant offline addition is the inclusion of women’s leagues, specifically the English and French premier divisions. However, EA Sports’ commitment to women’s football feels half-hearted and frustratingly limited. While women’s teams can now compete in Career Mode, they are disappointingly excluded from all other modes, including Kick-Off, Online Friendlies, Champions League, and, most importantly, FUT. The developers cite "balance" as a reason for exclusion, but this feels like an excuse to avoid embracing the full potential of this feature.
"Ted Lasso" Crossover: A Hilarious But Unrealistic Addition
To further illustrate the disconnect between reality and digital representation, FIFA 23 embarks on a quirky crossover with the popular Apple TV+ comedy series "Ted Lasso". While this is a fun and unexpected addition – allowing players to manage AFC Richmond, featuring Ted Lasso himself, and introducing fictional characters like Jamie Tartt and Roy Kent into the game – it serves to highlight EA’s lack of focus on realism and their penchant for chasing pop culture trends.
Career Mode: Playable Highlights – A Step Towards Boredom
The biggest change in Career Mode comes in the form of Playable Highlights, a mechanic intended to streamline the experience by offering bite-sized moments of matches. However, the execution falls flat. Playable Highlights feel repetitive and frustratingly predictable, lacking the nuanced variety that reflects the real-life complexity of football matches.
Ultimate Team: FUT Moments & A New Currency for Grinding
FIFA 23 introduces FUT Moments, a single-player experience that offers a series of scenarios and challenges, ranging from performing tricks to scoring specific goals. While the concept holds promise, the execution is marred by a lengthy setup process, reliance on players’ existing FUT squads, and the introduction of a new currency, Stars, that feels excessively grindy, asking players to complete numerous challenges for minimal rewards.
Verdikt: A Familiar Song with Some New Notes
FIFA 23, despite its flaws, remains a solid football game. HyperMotion 2 delivers a more visually immersive experience on new-gen consoles, while the addition of women’s leagues and cross-play are steps in the right direction. However, the game’s legacy of overpowered mechanics, clunky gameplay mechanics, and blatant exclusion of women’s teams from FUT, along with the disappointing implementation of cross-play and the questionable introduction of Playable Highlights, leave a sense of unfulfilled potential.
At its heart, FIFA 23 is a game that embodies the very definition of a “last dance.” The final hurrah for a familiar name, the game throws a mixture of the old and the new, leading to an experience that feels slightly uninspired and ultimately, uninspired. While it is still the most popular football game on the market, it’s evident that the franchise is in dire need of a fresh start, which EA promises to bring with EA Sports FC in the coming year.
Pros:
- Better AI (new-gen only)
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC on par with New-Gen
- Merged Volta and Pro Clubs Progression
- Allows Five Substitutions (limited)
Cons:
- Overpowered Long Shots and Curlers
- Frustratingly Limited Cross-Play Implementation
- Women’s Teams Can’t Play Men’s
- No Women Players in FUT
- FUT Pay-to-Win Practices Persist
- Power Shot Feels Unbalanced
- New Corner and Penalty Mechanics are Unintuitive
- FUT Moments Introduces New Currency with Grindy Requirements
- Playable Highlights Feel Superficial and Repetitive
- Five Substitutions Not Available in Online Friendlies
Rating (out of 10): 6
