The FIFA series is one of the most successful series in the world of video games. According to the publisher, a total of 325 million copies have been sold since the release of the first FIFA title (as of February 2021). With the release of the subsequent versions FIFA 22 and the latest version FIFA 23, this number is likely to have increased significantly. This makes FIFA the most popular sports game from EA Sports.
The EA Sports FIFA series can now look back on almost three decades. With the latest part FIFA 23 as the last virtual soccer game from Electronic Arts, an era is coming to an end, because from next year the EA soccer simulation will be called EA Sports FC.
Now that I’ve spent a few hours on the latest FIFA version, I can give you a direct comparison between FIFA 23 and its predecessor FIFA 22 and tell you whether the latest installment is worth it.
Graphics & game modes
When you start your first game in FIFA 23, you already notice a big difference in the new graphics. This impresses in particular with the detailed faces of the top stars, such as Mbappé, which now appear very realistic.
The revision of the playing field itself and the new green of the lawn also make a good visual impression – the detailed lawn, which is worn more and more over the course of the game, particularly stands out and also contributes to a more realistic gaming experience. The spectators in the grandstands should also feel even more realistic, but I find that in the game itself you don’t really notice any difference compared to the predecessor.
On the other hand, the new option of repeating goals scored, which not only shows the distance to the goal, but also values such as expected goals (xG) at the corresponding time of the shot, is well done.
The well-known game modes can be selected again in the main menu: Quick game modes, Pro Clubs x Volta Football, Ultimate Team, Career and Seasons. A new feature is the training center, where newcomers can learn and refine the basics of control. Experienced players can also use the mode to train standard situations, for example.
Gameplay – HyperMotion 2.0 makes the motion sequences even smoother
HyperMotion is a new feature introduced in FIFA 22. The 22 soccer players were filmed during a real game and all body movements were recorded with special suits. The result was a wide variety of new animations worth seeing, but there was still room for improvement. So I was particularly curious to see how much FIFA 23’s gameplay would differ from its predecessor.
To make it short: According to my first impressions, the movements definitely look much more fluid and, above all, more realistic. The behavior of the individual players simply reflects a much more realistic gaming behavior. The strikers behave more cleverly and don’t blindly run offside, the defenders act even more as a team and the dribbles also feel better.
FUT – FIFA Ultimate Team
FUT 23 brings you a new way to play and earn bonuses with FUT Moments. The completely overhauled chemistry system gives you more flexibility in team building to create your dream team.
With the removal of overall team chemistry, the focus is now on improving the chemistry of each and every player in your starting XI. Each player can receive up to 3 chemistry points, giving an individual player chemistry score of 0-3. There are three main factors that determine the chemistry points of each starting XI player.
With the elimination of cross-team chemistry, the focus is now on increasing the chemistry of each individual player. Each player can get up to 3 chemistry points, resulting in an individual chemistry score of 0-3. The level of your player’s chemistry points are influenced by three main factors.
Women’s Club Soccer
It’s the first time in 30 years of the FIFA franchise that women’s clubs have joined EA’s game series. In addition, the women will also have their own World Cup mode – in line with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins in July 2023.
Rating - EA Sports FIFA 23
All in all, it can be said that the gameplay has become much more realistic, which also gives the game a whole new character. Since I mainly play in FUT mode, I personally like the new chemistry a lot. But you also have to say that FIFA 23 is of course not a completely new game compared to its predecessor, but the small improvements and changed functions make a difference.
-
Gameplay
-
Variety
-
Online Multiplayer
-
Local Multiplayer
-
Technical implementation
-
Graphics and Sound
