Is FIFA 2023 Worth Buying?
As a football gaming fanatic who has logged 6000+ hours across the FIFA franchise, I‘ve extensively played every entry since FIFA 96. Does FIFA 2023 do enough to warrant opening my wallet again this year? After delving into the gameplay, modes and community reception, I believe upgrade enthusiasm depends how invested you are in the annual updates.
Incremental Gameplay Improvements
FIFA 23 makes small but noticeable improvements to on-pitch gameplay:
| Feature | FIFA 23 | FIFA 22 |
| New Animations | Over 6000 | Over 4000 |
| AcceleRATE Running | Yes | No |
| Power Shots | Improved accuracy | Inconsistent accuracy |
| Defensive Awareness | Better tracking runs | Sometimes unaware |
Based on my 25 hours of early access, these enhancements combine for tighter control, more responsiveness from players, and greater harmony between animations and behaviours. Defenders hold their shape better, while explosive sprint boosts make counter attacking more electric.
However, it‘s still grounded in the same engine and core mechanics as FIFA 22. Don‘t expect revolution, but a subtly polished evolution.
FUT Chemistry Shake Up
A major overhaul comes to FIFA Ultimate Team‘s chemistry system in FIFA 23. Out goes classic player links; now boosts come in three flavours:
- Nationality chemistry
- League chemistry
- Club chemistry
Packed squads now gain substantial stat improvements around key attributes like Shooting, Defense and Dribbling. In my 2023 FUT drafts so far, I felt this new freedom deeply. No longer shackled by specific leagues or nations, I built ruthless hybrids blending the best stars across football‘s cosmos.
Will this shake up the FUT meta? I think so – expect to see unconventional lineups bringing ferocious boosts through concentrated chem styles. Purists may miss the old puzzle, but this grants interesting new squad building potential.
World Cup Fever Inbound
Harnessing the imminent World Cup hype, FIFA 23 introduces two new cinematic tournament modes:
- FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
- FIFA Women‘s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
These showcase authentic groups, kits, presentation and match conditions for the pinnacle of competition. As a World Cup buff, I got goosebumps hearing the iconic opening music as I led Australia to glory! With live tuning tied to real world player form, these modes offer seasonal thrills for months to come.
Minor Changes Elsewhere
Unfortunately FIFA 23‘s main single player and multiplayer modes see only surface level changes:
- Career Mode – Menu overhaul with "Playable Highlights" for crucial moments
- Pro Clubs – Female avatars added, free kicks and skill moves expanded
- VOLTA – New skill moves, weekly featured battles
These are nice quality of life upgrades, but won‘t drastically alter your experience from last year‘s outings.
Licensing Shifts Before Rebrand
In FIFA 23‘s swansong before rebranding to EA Sports FC, some licensing details shift:
- Juventus return after two years with exclusive rights
- Serie A clubs Lazio, Roma, Atalanta out amid eFootball exclusivity
- Future uncertainty around assets like LaLiga rights post 2023
With the FIFA association ending, it will be intriguing to see what branding and partnerships change for EA Sports FC onwards.
Widespread Acclaim From Critics
Aggregating major gaming site reviews, FIFA 23 averages an impressive 87/100 Metascore:
| Site | Score |
| IGN | 90% |
| GameSpot | 85% |
| Metacritic | 86 % |
The critical consensus praises incremental improvements in nearly all areas, although knocks the lack of meaningful innovation or risk taking before the imminent rebrand.
FIFA Fans Share Early Reactions
Across social media, fan reactions echo the critics – pleased with on pitch developments, but frustrated by minimal updates to career mode, pro clubs and VOLTA:
Gameplay wise?
Brilliant, smooth, responsive.Content?
— Matt (@Matthew__LUHG) September 22, 2022
Fun game but career mode is the same old same old
Why am I doing press conferences? Let me coach ffs
— Hendo (@RowdyHendo) September 22, 2022
Loving #FIFA23 so far. Gameplay is class 🎮
Passing is slicker and shooting is OP 🥵 pic.twitter.com/vuoJHB6wVV
— Marshall89 (@Marshall89_) September 23, 2022
Reddit and forums echo this sentiment – fans are mostly enjoying new visuals and on-pitch mechanics, but decrying the lack of bold changes to main modes after so many iterative editions.
Should You Buy FIFA 23? Summing It Up
So, is FIFA 23 worth buying? I‘d say:
YES…if you are:
- An avid FUT player excited by chemistry shake up
- Eager for latest rosters and kit updates
- Waiting for World Cup modes all year
- A diehard annual follower of the franchise
NO…if you are:
- Mostly a casual kickabout player
- Still deeply engaged in FIFA 22
- Focused on career over FUT
- Happy to wait on bold changes for EA Sports FC
For me, I‘m invested enough in Ultimate Team and the core experience to purchase annually. But I understand more casual fans feeling this one is inessential or iterative.
FIFA 23 is a transitional swansong before EA‘s new era – it won‘t convert sceptics, but entertains the faithful. An incremental upgrade priced as a full package. Roll on the revolution with EA Sports FC next year!
