However, change is in the air for “FIFA 23”. It will be the last game under the flag of the football federation. After negotiations between EA Sports and FIFA failed because of money, the series will get a new name from next year: “FIFA 23” will become “EA Sports FC”.

The final “FIFA” will be released for pre-orderers on September 27, 2022 for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and PC. Everyone else can kick the leather over the fields of this world from September 30.

Changes on the court

However, you should not expect a big football revolution from “FIFA 23”. In the annual update, EA Sports primarily screws on details and refines technology and playability. Especially important: “FIFA 23” also features cross-play for the first time. This means that “FIFA” fans from different platforms can play together. However, there are restrictions: PC gamers and owners of the current console generation remain among themselves. The game type Pro Clubs is also excluded from this.

On the court, on the other hand, EA Sports makes some changes: Thanks to Hypermotion 2 technology, animations have been enhanced. This ensures that players no longer slide across the pitch, for example, but stand firmly on it. The talents act faster and more agile. This makes the control more direct. Dribbling has been supplemented by different sprint archetypes: An explosive Mbappé, for example, takes meters away from his opponents on the first steps, while a Lewandowski needs a few steps longer to reach top speed.

Goalkeepers now act better in direct duels: corners result in massive collisions with strikers. Hopefully, this will put an end to the times when goalkeepers protrude into their opponents. EA Sports spends new offensive possibilities: The power shot requires more time and precision, but is enormously dangerous from a distance. It remains to be seen whether this new ability will cause problems in online mode. Standards like penalty kicks and free kicks have also been adjusted and are now more dependent on the players’ characteristics.

Advantage through technology

In addition to the Hypermotion motion technology, however, several other innovations in the presentation also stand out in the trial game. For example, EA Sports now stages the replays with more TV character: camera movements and slow motion effects provide more drama and make goal scenes look even better.

Again, it’s all in the details: For example, the keeper’s fingers bend backwards when he performs a save. Furthermore, only subtleties like passes with the outside of the foot or even with the back really stand out here.

FIFA 23″ also improves the stadium atmosphere with more lively fans in the stands, additional animations and more chants. In addition, there are cut-scenes that create a good atmosphere before the matches and show the surrounding area. Fresh menus and lineup screens for the different game types round out the overall package.

Extension of the proven modes

EA Sports puts a stronger focus on women’s football in “FIFA 23” – no wonder with the success of the past European Championship. For this reason, Australian international Samantha Kerr is also on the “FIFA” cover alongside Kylian Mbappé. In addition, for the first time, women’s club teams are available for selection alongside national teams. Measured against the squads announced so far, however, there is still room for improvement.

FIFA 23″ does not present a story mode as in the past. Instead, the manager and player careers are to gain more personality. In the manager career, players now choose from real coaches like Thomas Tuchel and can outfit them with outfits. In addition, there are extended transfers including a final verdict. In the player career, you now earn points in the Heartbeat, Maverick and Virtuoso areas, just like in a role-playing game. The development reflects your own playing style. If you don’t have time to play entire matches, you can also just play the highlights. This is especially beneficial for users with limited free time.

Very nice: EA Sports combines the game progress of Pro Clubs and Volta mode. This allows you to improve your virtual alter-ego across the board and in new skill games. For the popular, albeit criticized for its integrated lootbox content, FIFA Ultimate Team, EA Sports is remodeling the team chemistry. This is important when putting together the squad in order to get the maximum performance out of your own players.

In “FIFA 23”, the game allows you more freedom: For example, players of the same nationality don’t necessarily have to be positioned next to each other to receive a bonus. Newly integrated legends like Park Ji-Sung automatically have full team chemistry in their traditional positions. Accordingly, they become valuable here as well. In addition, we want to give players more opportunities to pick up rewards and are implementing FUT Moments – scenarios with linear tasks – designed for single player.

A solid ending?

All in all, “FIFA 23” makes a good impression and is particularly convincing on the pitch. Nevertheless, the innovations don’t seem to be implemented consistently in some areas: The selection of women’s club teams seems (still) too small. Crossplay is not available for pro clubs. And the changes in the career options are not quite as far-reaching as many would have liked. However, the top dog “FIFA 23” will always be a success and the last offshoot under this name takes a small step forward in terms of gameplay.