25.4 hours played
Written 28 days ago
FIFA 23 marks the end of an era—the last game in the iconic franchise under the FIFA name before EA transitions to EA SPORTS FC. It’s a moment loaded with legacy and expectation, and while FIFA 23 doesn’t completely revolutionize the formula, it delivers a polished, feature-rich, and enjoyable football experience that feels like a well-timed volley into the top corner—if not quite a game-winner from midfield.
FIFA 23 builds on the refined gameplay of FIFA 22 with the introduction of HyperMotion2 technology (on next-gen platforms), offering more fluid animations, improved ball physics, and better player responsiveness. It’s a noticeable step up in realism—players feel weightier, passes zip with more purpose, and off-the-ball movement is much smarter.
The pace is slower and more tactical than older FIFA titles, rewarding build-up play and intelligent positioning over pure sprint-speed abuse. Defending is more manual and demanding, while finishing has been balanced with new power shots—high-risk, high-reward strikes that look and feel fantastic when pulled off.
Still, the classic FIFA quirks are present. Occasionally chaotic physics, questionable AI choices, and some overpowered meta tactics (hello, trivela shots) remind you this is still, ultimately, FIFA.
Career Mode sees welcome, if modest, improvements. The addition of Playable Highlights lets you jump into key moments instead of full matches—great for those who want to speed through seasons. You can now play as real-world managers like Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp, adding some cosmetic flair, though it doesn’t affect gameplay.
Player Career gets a light RPG touch with personality traits that influence your growth and endorsement deals, but it still lacks real narrative depth. Overall, Career Mode remains enjoyable and feature-rich—but feels overdue for a bigger overhaul.
FUT remains a polished and dangerously addictive experience. New to FIFA 23 is the revamped Chemistry System, which gives more flexibility when building squads, no longer restricting players to strict positional links. This change opens up more creativity and eases the squad-building experience.
FUT Moments is a fun new single-player mode offering quick, objective-based challenges with bite-sized gameplay. It’s great for casual players and makes earning rewards a bit more engaging.
Of course, FUT still leans heavily on microtransactions, and pay-to-win concerns linger. If you don’t invest real money, you’ll be grinding for top-tier squads longer than you'd like.
One of FIFA 23’s most genuinely progressive additions is the expanded focus on women’s football. For the first time, you can play with fully licensed women’s club teams from the Barclays Women’s Super League and D1 Arkema, and they’re more than a reskin—animations, tactics, and feel are unique.
EA also included both the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups as playable modes, giving the game more international flavor and variety.
As always, FIFA nails the atmosphere. From the broadcast-style overlays and authentic crowd chants to stadium lighting and commentary, this is peak sports presentation. The visuals are slick—especially on next-gen—with detailed kits, player likenesses, and realistic pitch wear.
The soundtrack is also excellent, featuring a diverse, global mix that feels fitting for the final game in the FIFA era.
Where It Impresses
-Slower, more realistic gameplay with HyperMotion2
-Expanded women’s football and World Cup modes
-Playable Highlights and improved Career pacing
-Better chemistry system in FUT
-Incredible presentation, as expected
Where It Falls Short
-Career Mode still lacks true innovation
-FUT remains grind-heavy and monetized
-Occasional gameplay quirks and meta exploits
-Legacy issues in AI and refereeing persist
FIFA 23 is a strong and satisfying sendoff for the franchise that shaped football gaming for nearly three decades. It doesn’t reinvent the sport, but it polishes nearly every part of the experience, delivering the most feature-complete FIFA to date. It’s a celebration of the sport, the brand, and the players—digital and real.
Whether you’re a FUT addict, a Career Mode lifer, or just someone who loves kicking off a match with friends, FIFA 23 has enough to keep your boots on the virtual pitch.
A respectful farewell to a footballing legacy.
Rating: 7/10
