Inroduction: Closing One Era, Opening a New One
FIFA 23 represents the grand finale of a 30-year collaboration between EA Sports and the FIFA brand. Released in September 2022, this edition set out to make a lasting impact—with major upgrades in gameplay, stunning next-gen visuals, cross-platform capabilities, and a significant push for women’s football inclusion.
Whether you're into Ultimate Team, enjoy crafting your legacy in Career Mode, or just play casually, FIFA 23 offers content for every type of player. But how well does it deliver as the franchise bids farewell to the FIFA name?
Let’s explore its defining features.
A Legacy in Motion: Highlights from the FIFA Series
FIFA began in 1993 as a top-down football sim and has since evolved into a global juggernaut in sports gaming. Each generation brought breakthroughs:
- FIFA 98: First to feature indoor matches and the World Cup journey
- FIFA 10: Improved mechanics and Manager Mode popularity
- FIFA 17: Introduced The Journey story mode
- FIFA 21–22: Debuted HyperMotion tech on next-gen
End of EA & FIFA Partnership
FIFA 23 is the final installment under the FIFA branding. Starting in 2023, EA continues the football series under the name EA Sports FC.
Visual Experience: Built for Next-Gen
Powered by the Frostbite Engine and enhanced with HyperMotion2, FIFA 23 delivers lifelike visuals on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC:
- Players & Stadiums: More realistic animations and authentic atmospheres
- Cinematics: Pre-match and halftime scenes increase immersion
- Presentation: Licensed commentary, enhanced lighting, and camera angles create a TV-style broadcast
Gameplay Upgrades: Smarter and Sharper Football
FIFA 23 introduces smoother animations and intelligent AI:
- HyperMotion2 adds 6,000+ new animations
- Improved player awareness and movement
- First-touch, dribbling, and tackling feel more dynamic
- AI presses and defends with more tactical awareness
While pace and skills still dominate, overall gameplay has become more grounded and realistic.
Ultimate Team: Fresh Features with Familiar Monetization
FUT 23 evolves with:
- A reworked Chemistry System
- FUT Moments for short challenges
- More Icons and Heroes for nostalgic appeal
However, the loot box mechanics and pay-to-win concerns remain—progression can feel unbalanced for free players.
Career Mode: Some Growth, but Still Behind
Career Mode sees a few meaningful updates:
- Player Career: New highlights system and personality traits
- Manager Mode: Play as real-life coaches like Klopp or Guardiola
Despite improvements, the mode still lacks the depth seen in dedicated management sims.
Volta Football: Creative but Neglected
Volta returns with:
- Arcade modes and minigames
- Upgraded avatars and cosmetics
Still, without a story continuation or major innovation, it remains underused by most players.
Women’s Football: A Meaningful Expansion
FIFA 23 sets a new benchmark for women’s football:
- Women’s leagues and clubs debut
- Expanded national teams
- Female player animations tailored for realism
This inclusion brings greater representation and diversity to the game.
Cross-Play: Breaking Platform Barriers
Cross-play is finally here across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC for key online modes:
- FUT, Online Friendlies, Seasons now support mixed-platform play
- Anti-cheat measures introduced for PC
- Performance and stability have largely improved
Licensing & Authenticity: The Real Game Feel
FIFA 23 continues to lead in licenses:
- Over 19,000 players, 700 teams, and 100+ stadiums
- Fully licensed leagues: Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, UCL, and more
- Authentic crowd sounds, commentary, and custom goal songs
A few teams (like Juventus and Roma) remain unlicensed but the overall authenticity is unmatched.
Final Thoughts
FIFA 23 delivers a powerful conclusion to a legendary franchise. It refines gameplay, embraces modern visuals, and enhances inclusivity—making it a must-play for football fans. Whether you're here for competitive play or immersive single-player modes, FIFA 23 is the most polished edition to date and a strong send-off before the series rebrands under EA Sports FC.
