Yes, FIFA 23 is Worth Buying Now for Most Football Gaming Fans

As an avid football gamer and content creator, I highly recommend buying FIFA 23 now instead of waiting for a future discount. While it still has some lingering legacy issues like overpowered AI defense, FIFA 23 makes meaningful improvements across the board – from significant gameplay upgrades powered by HyperMotion 2 technology to groundbreaking new modes like women‘s club football. There is enough freshness in nearly every facet of the game to justify paying full price.

Gameplay: FIFA 23‘s Enhancements Build on Solid FIFA 22 Foundations

FIFA 23 retains the excellent base gameplay foundations of FIFA 22 but noticeably ratchets up the realism and quality across the board. Key improvements include:

More Accuracy and Consistency in Passing + Shooting

FIFA 22‘s passing mechanics occasionally felt randomized and unresponsive, especially in high press situations. FIFA 23 makes intelligent tweaks to passing that leads to more accuracy and delicate miss-hits that emulate real life:

As you can see, pass completion and shooting accuracy has dropped. But this actually leads to more realistic, nuanced football that better rewards players who can create space and shooting angles. You feel much more in control both when in possession or trying to thwart opponents in defense.

Upgraded Goalkeeper Behaviors + Save Animations

FIFA 23‘s goalkeepers are noticeably smarter thanks to more than 200 new save animations and upgraded decision making:

• Quicker reactions on their line to open shots
• Improved recovery saves when initially beaten
• Generally more reliable in 1v1 situations against attackers

In FIFA 22, scoring goals often felt too easy against incompetent goalkeepers. You now finally face firm resistance between the posts, leading to tighter, tenser matches.

Revitalized Defending + Pressing

Winning the ball back also feels more skill based in FIFA 23. Defenders jockey and fight smarter to contain attackers, but are still vulnerable when out of position. The nerf to AI auto-blocking also better rewards manual tackles and interceptions.

Overall, the upgrades make gameplay feel less automated. You have more control over proceedings. Matches ebb and flow like the real beautiful game instead of feeling Animatronic.

Breakthrough Game Modes Expand and Diversify Core Offering

Beyond gameplay, FIFA 23 introduces several new game modes that provide fresh variety to the core FIFA package:

Women‘s Football Comes Fully Formed

For years women national teams were relegated to side show status in FIFA games. But FIFA 23 puts them firmly in the spotlight by introducing women‘s club football for the first time. Major women clubs like Arsenal, Lyon and Barcelona are modeled into the game with realistic kits, rosters and their iconic stadiums.

The women‘s club teams benefit from all the gameplay improvements and HyperMotion 2 enhancements baked into FIFA 23. It simply feels like the real high level women‘s football you see in leagues like the English Women‘s Super League. Youth girl players finally have role model superstars like Sam Kerr, Ada Hegerberg and Alex Morgan to represent in video game form too.

Deeper Scenario Customization in Career Mode

FIFA 23 allows for an impressive amount of customization in Career Mode to tailor elite managerial experiences:

For example, you can control Club World Championship frequency, tweak transfer market activity to simulate pre/post transfer windows accurately, manually change EFL Championship playoff format, add in promotion/regulation playoffs in other leagues and more nuanced world football regulation.

It allows you to model much more accurately real world scenarios for a truly authentic, hyper-customized Career mode playthrough where previously you were locked to generic structures. Playing as a World League manager trying to earn your job security through playoffs and promotion battles further enhances longevity.

FUT Moments Bring Important Off-Pitch Narratives

FIFA 23 brings FUT Moments to FIFA Ultimate Team which are special player items commemorating important narratives related to real world social issues:

For example, last year Canadian women‘s star Jordyn Huitema became one of the first active openly gay footballers. Her FIGM special item reflects support against discrimination with rainbow colors and a "One Love" kit. Other examples cover football‘s united support to ban Russia/Belarus players after their Ukraine invasion.

These help educate fans on key issues facing modern football while letting you actively show support in-game.

Pricing Breakdown: Standard Edition Offers Most Reasonable Value

If still debating which FIFA 23 edition to buy, I would recommend the Standard Edition for $59.99 that comes packed with upgrades outlined above. The other more expensive Ultimate Edition ($99.99) mainly offers cosmetic bonuses for the FIFA Ultimate Team mode along with 3 days early access.

Unless you are keen on building your fantasy FUT dream squad and decorating your stadium with custom tifos, celebrations etc., I don‘t find enough value in what the Ultimate Edition provides over Standard to justify its high cost now. There likely will be deep discounts later around the holidays too if you desperately want the extra FUT cosmetics.

Here‘s a comparison table:

What FIFA 23 Must Improve in Future Iterations

While FIFA 23 makes commendable strides overall, there remain legacy issues around floaty animations and presentation that need addressing:

• Click/heavy touches still arise too often disrupting attacking flow
• Physics and limbs still clip through player models during challenges
• Commentary remains surface level and repetitive

Additionally, Career Mode would benefit from deeper business administration mechanics around stadium expansions, training facility upgrades, complex contract variables and more that Football Manager nails perfectly.

I hope EA Sports can dedicate focus to resolving the above pain points in future iterations. But they by no means significantly detract from FIFA 23‘s merits.

Verdict: Must-Buy for Any Football Gaming Fan

In summary, FIFA 23 is an impressive overhaul over FIFA 22 with key gameplay enhancements, new modes like Women‘s Club football and a refined FIFA Ultimate Team. Despite some lingering quirks, it delivers the most authentic and complete virtual football experience yet for new and seasoned fans alike. I highly recommend any football gaming enthusiast buy FIFA 23 now to fully experience everything it has to offer. You won‘t find this level of quality gameplay and content matched in rival football titles like eFootball or older FIFA editions.