Another year and another new installment in the FIFA franchise. 

FIFA 23 was released on September 26, 2022. This will be the last game titled “FIFA” as the contract for the naming right has come to an end. Next year the franchise will be renamed “EA Sports FC,” similar to many other professional club names in European football and Major League Soccer. 

The biggest change and addition from Electronic Arts is the introduction of HyperMotion 2 Technology. Included in the “HyperMotion 2 Technology” is a brand new dribbling system. The new dribbling system is called “Technical Dribbling.” “A brand new dribbling system, informed by machine learning between every touch, delivers next-gen visuals and natural motion with the ball at your feet. Whether you’re taking on a defender for a pace or keeping the ball close to turn away from an opponent, ultra-responsive Technical Dribbling makes the world’s-best move more fluidly than ever before.” 

Another feature added to the game is “Powering the Women’s Game.” “FIFA 23” has now added Women’s Club teams. The Women’s Super League or the WSL has been included in this year’s rendition of FIFA. Women’s international teams have been included in the past, but club teams have not been featured previously in other games. 

All of the fan-favorite modes have returned. The headliner of course is FIFA Ultimate Team, where players can create their own team of legends and current players. Loads of controversy have come from EA’s focus on Ultimate Team, as many players feel as though the only way to make a competitive team is by spending real money in the form of “FIFA Points.” However, is it undoubtedly one of, if not the most fun modes in the game. 

Every other game mode the game has to offer is rather cookie-cutter and reminiscent of FIFA from the past. 

The final notable inclusion in the game is the addition of the fictional football club AFC Richmond from the hit streaming show from Apple, “Ted Lasso.” The team is playable in many modes, as well as Lasso being available in manager mode. 

Review

Fifa has always been the best football/soccer game on the market, and Fifa 23 is no different. However, the gameplay feels much slower, connecting passes is more difficult than it has been in the past. Often times I find myself thinking that a player of mine is open, but an opposing player quickly steps in front intercepting the pass. 

Dribbling is also much more difficult in 23 as well. Figuring out the meta for dribbling will separate the good players from the best. I personally believe that these are all great changes. Players feel much more authentic and weighty compared to previous games, where players felt like mere caricatures of themselves. 

Another addition that I greatly enjoy and appreciate is the “power shot,” which can be activated by pressing both bumpers on the controller while pressing the shooting button. This adds a bit of excitement to the matches as the camera zooms in on the player taking the shot, while you attempt to get in front of it the shot or pluck the ball off of their foot. 

Overall, there is only so much EA can change from a yearly release game like FIFA. I would not be surprised if next year’s “EA Sports FC” is the jump many players have been hoping for, for years. The changes that have been made are very welcome giving the game a bit of a learning curve, but players familiar with the franchise can pick up a controller and play. 

My rating: 8/10

FIFA is available now on Xbox, Playstation, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, and PC.