It is the end of an era: FIFA 23 is the last FIFA part of EA SPORTS. But is the series’ farewell a step up from its predecessor? eSport ranks it:
The same game every year, pay-to-win mechanics and hardly any substantial innovations – this or something similar was the criticism of the FIFA series again and again in the past years. FIFA 23 does not reinvent the football simulation either, as we explained to you in our review. Nevertheless FIFA 23 is an upgrade compared to FIFA 22.
Realistic presentation promotes authenticity
This is due to some adjusting screws that the developer has turned in the right direction. Starting with the grandiose visuals: on next-gen consoles, the visual experience is impressive, the new matchday presentation actually provides more authenticity – even if the limited number of cutaways probably wears off over time.
Furthermore, the menu navigation has improved in a few points, especially the career mode benefits from the overhaul and is clearer than ever. In addition, the authentic coaches provide a higher level of immersion. Coaching Pep Guardiola, Edin Terzic or Steven Gerrard out of the stadium with your own tactics – a joy for every fan of the manager’s career. Of course, this is especially entertaining when you’re playing big with Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond.
Gameplay becomes more multi-faceted
FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) also comes up with some changes that enrich the gaming experience. First and foremost is crossplay, which makes unsuccessful searches for an opponent for online matches a thing of the past and drops a price or two on the in-game transfer market. The new chemistry system with its growing number of maps also offers great potential for creative team building.
However, we were particularly convinced by the heart of the game – the gameplay. The introduction of HyperMotion 2 has paid off so far. The players act more ponderously, but more realistically and with a better grip. The new acceleration styles make more physical players interesting alternatives, the meta of the last few years actually seems to have been broken, the gameplay more multi-faceted as a result.
Nevertheless, of course, all that glitters is not gold. FUT continues to harbour pay-to-win mechanics and reward spirals. Whether the newly introduced FUT Moments mode actually provides meaningful rewards or is merely designed to introduce players to the thrill of pack-opening remains to be seen.
Criticisms remain
Minor teething problems, which should be fixed as soon as possible, still cloud the impression somewhat at the moment. For example, in the entire editorial team we repeatedly had the problem that game and control settings were not saved.
If the game is restarted and a match is started unsuspectingly, one or two pauses have to be taken first in order to rework the settings – this of course grates on the nerves. The stability of the servers also remains an ongoing issue, although the failures in the first week after release were not as severe as in FIFA 22. However, the problems on the PC currently seem to be of greater extent, as players report on Steam, who often still can not start FIFA 23.
Game fun greater than number of bugs
Last but not least it should be mentioned that EA SPORTS seems to follow suit this year concerning the error rate in FIFA 22. Even before launch, there had been problems with incorrect requirements in Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) in the web app. After release, EA poured out erroneous rewards for the SBCs “Haaland’s Change” and “Newcomer Challenge”, which will result in compensations.
Some of the past criticisms of FIFA offshoots thus also FIFA 23 has to put up with. At the same time it can’t be denied that EA SPORTS has improved the last FIFA part compared to its predecessor. The more multifaceted gameplay, profitable functions like crossplay and an even more realistic overall package in the career mode provide more gaming fun than at the beginning of FIFA 22 – which will hopefully last for a long time. However, the pay-to-win model in all its facets is a point that can always outweigh all the positive innovations. Too bad.