FIFA 23

FIFA 23 marks both an end and a beginning in the football gaming world. As the final installment in EA Sports’ long-running FIFA series before its rebranding to EA Sports FC, FIFA 23 offers a refined, feature-rich football simulation experience. This guide covers FIFA 23’s development history, gameplay mechanics, content additions, pros and cons, and expert ratings, helping you understand why it holds a special place in both casual and competitive gaming communities.

1. Development of FIFA 23: Closing the FIFA Era (2021–2022)

FIFA 23’s development was unique because EA Sports already knew it would be the last title under the FIFA license. Negotiations between EA and FIFA over licensing fees reportedly broke down, prompting EA to prepare for the transition to a new brand: EA Sports FC.

Despite this, the development team focused on ensuring FIFA 23 would be remembered as a definitive edition. Emphasis was placed on enhancing gameplay realism, expanding women’s football content, and introducing fresh mechanics through Hypermotion2 technology.

Hypermotion2, the evolution of FIFA 22’s Hypermotion, used real-world motion capture data from full-team matches to create more lifelike animations and ball physics. FIFA 23 represents the culmination of over two decades of football simulation refinement under the FIFA name.

2. Official Release and Initial Reception (September 2022)

FIFA 23 launched globally on September 30, 2022, across multiple platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (Legacy Edition), and PC.

The game was generally well-received by both critics and players. Reviewers highlighted:

• Improved animation fluidity

• Expanded women’s football representation

• Cross-play between platforms (a first for the series)

However, some criticisms remained familiar:

• Ultimate Team microtransactions

• Bugs and glitches at launch

• Balance issues in online play

Despite minor flaws, FIFA 23 sold millions of copies within its first month and became one of the top-selling sports games of 2022.

3. Hypermotion2 Technology and Gameplay Enhancements

Hypermotion2 is FIFA 23’s flagship gameplay innovation. Compared to previous entries, it delivers:

• Over 6,000 true-to-life animations

• Improved ball control and dribbling responsiveness

• Enhanced goalkeeper behaviors

One noticeable improvement is the new Power Shot mechanic. Players can now activate powerful, skill-based shots with a high-risk, high-reward element, giving experienced players more control over attacking strategies.

Other gameplay enhancements include:

• Reworked set-piece systems

• Improved defensive AI logic

• Smarter player positioning, especially during build-up plays

While not a complete gameplay revolution, these refinements make FIFA 23 feel more responsive and tactical than its predecessors.

4. Women’s Football Expansion and Licensing

FIFA 23 took a major step forward in promoting women’s football content. For the first time in franchise history, it included:

• Barclays FA Women’s Super League (England)

• Division 1 Féminine (France)

• International women’s teams and tournaments

Additionally, FIFA 23 added special campaign modes and events in Ultimate Team featuring women’s players, marking a notable evolution in football gaming diversity.

Despite this progress, some players noted that women’s football in FIFA 23 still lacked depth compared to the men’s game. For instance, career mode options for women’s leagues were limited.

5. FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) and Meta Evolution

FIFA Ultimate Team remains FIFA 23’s most popular mode. EA introduced several structural changes to FUT in this installment:

• FUT Moments: Bite-sized challenges for quick rewards

• Chemistry system overhaul: Focused on player links without fixed positioning

• Cross-play support in FUT Champions and Rivals

The meta in FIFA 23 leaned towards pace and physicality as usual, but new mechanics like AcceleRATE—a hidden player acceleration trait—shook up squad-building strategies.

While FUT delivers addicting, rewarding gameplay loops, its reliance on microtransactions and loot box mechanics remains a major criticism within the gaming community.

6. Career Mode Improvements and Manager Customization

Career Mode, a longtime fan favorite, saw meaningful upgrades in FIFA 23. Key changes included:

• Playable highlights: Focus on decisive moments rather than full matches

• Manager career customization: Outfits, appearance, and personality traits

• New transfer negotiation cutscenes and dynamic moments

EA also added real managers for the first time, allowing players to take control of legends like Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp. Despite these additions, some Career Mode veterans felt the updates were not as deep as hoped, especially compared to fan-made mods on PC.

7. Volta Football: Refinements but No Revolution

Volta Football, EA’s street football-inspired mode introduced in FIFA 20, returned in FIFA 23 with subtle refinements. The core gameplay remained largely unchanged:

• 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 street football matches

• Custom avatar system with clothing unlocks

• Arcade mini-games in Volta Arcade

While Volta received improved visuals and gameplay balancing, many players felt it lacked long-term progression hooks. Compared to Ultimate Team or Career Mode, Volta often feels like an underdeveloped side mode rather than a core feature.

8. Graphics, Soundtrack, and Presentation

FIFA 23 represents the peak of EA Sports’ Frostbite Engine performance. Especially on next-gen consoles and PC, players enjoyed:

• Ultra-realistic player models and stadium details

• Advanced lighting and weather effects

• Immersive crowd animations and chants

The soundtrack, as always, featured a curated mix of global artists. FIFA 23’s playlist combined mainstream hits with lesser-known tracks from around the world, maintaining the franchise’s tradition of discovering new music.

In terms of broadcast presentation, EA added new commentators and reworked match overlays to resemble real-life football broadcasts more closely.

9. The Legacy of FIFA 23 and What Comes Next

As EA’s final FIFA-branded title, FIFA 23 holds a unique place in gaming history. It doesn’t reinvent the football simulation formula but refines it to its most polished version under the FIFA license.

Looking ahead, EA Sports FC is expected to take FIFA 23’s foundation and build upon it without the limitations of the FIFA branding deal. Fans hope this new chapter will bring even more innovation, especially in Career Mode, Volta, and licensing depth.

FIFA 23 also cements women’s football as an essential part of sports gaming, setting a standard that future titles must follow.

Conclusion: Why FIFA 23 Is Worth Playing Even Beyond Its Brand

FIFA 23 successfully closes out an era with style and polish. Whether you’re a competitive Ultimate Team grinder, a casual Career Mode player, or someone who simply enjoys playing football games with friends, FIFA 23 offers something worthwhile.

While not perfect—particularly due to persistent monetization concerns—FIFA 23’s strengths in gameplay realism, cross-play integration, and presentation make it one of the strongest sports titles available today. With a solid 4.5/5 expert rating, FIFA 23 stands as a must-play for both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.