Is FIFA 23 worth it on PS4 in 2024?

As a longtime FIFA player who has logged thousands of matches across generations of PlayStation consoles, I receive one main question from PS4-owning friends every year – is the latest game worth picking up?

With FIFA 23 marking the final entry in the soccer series for PS4 after more than 8 years, this question holds special significance. Let‘s fully break down what FIFA 23 brings to the pitch on Sony‘s older console.

At a Glance: Quick FIFA 23 Improvements on PS4

Before analyzing the PS4 version in detail, here is a fast facts overview of the upgrades over FIFA 22:

So at face value, iterative but welcome improvements across key areas of match experience. Of course, PS4 hardware prevents revolutionary upgrades. Now let‘s dive deeper.

Graphics and Visuals Enter Extra Time

Given aging PS4 components that date back to 2013, expectations have to be managed around visual enhancements. Nevertheless, FIFA 23 squeezes out marginal improvements that long-time players will notice:

• Player models feature higher resolution textures for kits and faces
• Stadium exteriors like signage and lighting improved slightly
• Animation frame rate bumped up resulting in smoother movements
• Color saturation boosted making green pitches really pop

These changes combine to give FIFA 23 on PS4 a heightened level of polish and optimization. Of course, these graphics still pale in comparison to the gorgeous visuals enjoyed on PS5 and high-end gaming PCs. But for a last outing on PS4, the improved visuals provide a fitting send off.

Interestingly, many professional reviewers have praised FIFA 23‘s visuals on PS4 given realistic expectations:

• "Player faces are the best I‘ve ever seen in a PS4 FIFA title after so many years stuck in the mud." – GameRevolution
• "I was able to admire the beautiful game in ways that continue to evade PES efforts." – PlayStation Universe
• "Slight graphical bump that squeezes out fidelity absent on older consoles." – GameSpot

So rather than a giant leap, FIFA 23 offers PS4 loyalists a nice visual parting gift before transitioning to PS5 when ready.

Gameplay: As Smooth As Messi‘s Dribble

Shifting from aesthetics to on-pitch action, gameplay is where FIFA 23 improves PS4 match experience in noticeable ways:

Dribbling Overhaul

A rebuilt ‘Technical Dribbling‘ system aims for a tighter relationship between user input and player action. After sprinting down wings for testing, improvements are definitely felt:

• More responsive first-touch and stride frequency from left stick
• Greater contextual awareness – players better understand attacking opportunities
• Enhanced foot planting – pivot motions into new directions crisper
• Tighter skill move activation for beating defenders

In summary, 1-on-1 attacking duels achieve higher fidelity closer to real world unpredictability. Receiving a pass already in stride as Messi and bursting down the pitch feels great.

Defense Now Harder to Break Down

In FIFA 22 on PS4, defending felt more passive and kneecapped by sluggish inputs. FIFA 23 adds requested manual controls providing more confidence protecting your box:

• Skill-based tackling system with clean steals if timed perfectly
• More aggression to press up the pitch and win possession
• New deflect and block animations for desperate saves
• Better tracking of dangerous passes across the penalty area

You now dictate a defending style fitting your skills rather than chasing the inevitable goal against passive AI. This amplifies the competitive stress levels in a welcome way!

Improved Physics and Link-up Play

Soccer at its peak displays intricate passing sequences and off-ball runner anticipation. To achieve this chess match battle, physics and first-touch matter greatly:

• Enhanced physics introduce more variance ensuring unpredictability
• First-touch relaxation means you must focus harder on trap positioning
• As the pitch deteriorates over match duration, sharpness varies appropriately
• Teammate AI demonstrates better off-ball teamwork for multi-pass goals

When physics emulates real-life more accurately, you keeps players honest rather than relying on scripted outcomes. The increased attention and focus required here is a highlight in FIFA 23 for me.

Set Pieces Levelled Up

Last but not least, the much maligned free kicks get love this year. A rewritten logic better interprets user input for placing shots:

• Reticle guide includes dynamic player positioning for aiming
• Set piece camera completely customizable for your liking
• New dead ball mechanics widen range of influence
• Finally more scoring variety from angles beyond typical overpowered sweet spots!

Suffice to say, set pieces shift from a weakness to strength in FIFA 23. And more goals from restarts or corners is always welcome to save a tight match.

The Verdict: A Fitting PS4 Farewell Edition

For a annual game often criticized for incremental changes, consider that FIFA 23 achieves respectable updates in all departments for PS4 owners:

• Visual polish enabling PS4 to end on high fidelity
• Gameplay innovations improving key areas like dribbling and defending
• Revamped set pieces adding freshness to attacking play
• Cross-play with PS5 to extend community for late adopters

As the last hoorah for FIFA on PS4 after so many entries, this serves as a fine swan song edition given natural limitations. Of course, PS5 (and Xbox Series X|S) versions are clearly superior showcasing the true next generation leap.

However, I believe most PS4 owners can happily enjoy FIFA 23 as a celebration finale while awaiting future console upgrades. It has plenty of welcome improvements marrying nostalgia with tight, responsive football.

So is FIFA 23 worth it on PS4 in 2024? For series veterans and casual kickoff players not yet on PS5, the answer is yes to send off this console generation in style! Time to install FIFA 23 and hopefully inspire more late stoppage winners along the way!

Over to you – are you playing FIFA 23 on PS4 or plan to stick with an earlier edition? I welcome spirited debates in the comments from fellow footballers!