EA SPORTS had invited a handful of media representatives to the FIFA 23 showcase at headquarters. Through spacious halls, along an avenue of FIFA covers went to the actual presentation area for the last part of the series.

Ten hours flight, one hour FIFA

Ten hours flight and nine hours time difference do not seem the best companions to play a first, slim FIFA 23 version. Nevertheless, we took the PS5 controller in hand and chose a team.

Neither different modes nor the content touted in the FIFA 23 announcement were available. Only some women’s and men’s teams we could select for a friendly encounter. Chelsea, Arsenal, Atletico and Dortmund – still with Haaland – for example in the men’s game, the USA, France, Australia and Germany in the women’s game. An hour of FIFA soccer, without much fuss.

FIFA 23 test run successful

FIFA 23 plays smoother and more varied than its predecessor in the first demo. In the game forward, especially the fast passing game was fun. A good eye for running routes and spaces seems to find more attention again

Success via skill moves is no longer mandatory. FIFA 23 gains a bit of soccer authenticity by seeming to reward good combination soccer

In defense, the problem of ninja defenders seems fixed. Sudden hara-kiri actions were absent, at least in our play session. In defense, both playable and AI kickers behave moderately according to their radius. Changes that already found a test run in FIFA 22 with the late Title Update 14. Technical bugs that seem to have been fixed in the latest version

More authentic dribbling should provide more realism

The overpowering goalkeepers were also a problem in the predecessor. Obviously, the problem could not be completely eliminated, especially in the turmoil after corner kicks. In the first test version of FIFA 23, the last man – or woman – seems to act more calmly now Standard situations get a revised system: About the frontal view of a ball, the trajectory can be determined when shooting

Well done, athlete

Visually, the athletes dribble more smoothly across the turf. The latter offers more depth and shading – for the first time, even the dirt flies off the turf when straddling it and actually stays there.

Also the stadium atmosphere seems more individual than before. Again and again, small scenes with spectator reactions are played during standards

Of course, there’s not much you can take away from an hour of FIFA 23. The first impression oscillates between fixed bugs from the predecessor and some nice innovations. As usual, it should be according to EA statement “the best FIFA ever”, the developers said on site and anyway to the announcement of EA SPORTS FC.

We will post more details from our day at EA SPORTS in Vancouver at a later date. The publisher currently releases new trailers and info weekly. The positive gaming experience and the anticipation of an actually improved, more extensive last part of the series we have in any case taken back with us on the plane.