FIFA 23 marks the end of an era as the final installment in EA Sports’ long-running partnership with FIFA before transitioning to EA Sports FC. As the swan song of a nearly 30-year legacy, FIFA 23 arrives with significant pressure to deliver a memorable and polished experience. Packed with new technology, enhanced realism, and a growing emphasis on women’s football, this title serves as both a celebration and evolution of the global football simulation genre.
Released in September 2022 across multiple platforms, FIFA 23 brings updated visuals, refined mechanics, and expanded game modes while addressing long-standing issues in gameplay and career depth. With global appeal and millions of players, FIFA 23 strives to please both casual gamers and competitive pros in its final outing under the iconic branding.
1. A Farewell to the FIFA License
FIFA 23 holds special significance as the last game in EA’s decades-long collaboration with FIFA, the governing body of world football. While the name will change going forward, FIFA 23 still carries all the expected licenses, including thousands of real players, teams, leagues, and stadiums. It features over 100 stadiums and nearly every major football competition, offering the deepest level of authenticity in the series’ history.
This version capitalizes on nostalgia and legacy, delivering a rich fan-service experience. Commentary, visual overlays, and the overall branding still maintain the familiar presentation that players have grown accustomed to. While EA Sports FC will carry the gameplay legacy forward, FIFA 23 is a heartfelt goodbye to a globally recognized gaming name.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 for authenticity and license depth
2. HyperMotion2 Technology and Next-Gen Realism
FIFA 23 introduces HyperMotion2, an upgraded version of the motion capture and machine learning system first seen in FIFA 22. Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, HyperMotion2 captures realistic animations from real-life 11v11 matches. The result is smoother player movement, more responsive control, and better physics when colliding, dribbling, or shooting.
The realism is further improved by over 6000 new animations and better foot planting, which make sprinting, jockeying, and turning feel more lifelike. Goalkeepers behave more naturally and tackles feel less scripted. This makes FIFA 23 one of the most immersive and technically polished football games ever released, particularly on next-gen platforms.
Pros: Visual realism, fluid animations, realistic ball movement
Cons: Limited to newer consoles and PCs, noticeable downgrade on last-gen
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 for graphical and gameplay innovation
3. Ultimate Team: Chemistry Redefined
FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) remains the flagship mode for many players, offering card collection, squad building, and online competition. In FIFA 23, the Chemistry system has been redesigned to remove formation-based restrictions. Players now receive chemistry boosts based on team and nationality links regardless of position, allowing for more creative team-building.
New features like FUT Moments add single-player scenarios for quick rewards, and cross-play has been partially implemented for matchmaking on the same generation of consoles. These changes improve accessibility and variety, although issues like overpowered meta players and pay-to-win dynamics still persist.
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 for mode depth and creativity
4. Career Mode Improvements and Player Personality
Career Mode has long been a staple for offline players, and FIFA 23 makes meaningful strides to modernize it. One of the most notable additions is the Player Personality system, where your in-game behavior shapes your footballer’s archetype. Choices during interviews, purchases, and playstyle influence whether your player becomes a Maverick, Virtuoso, or Heartbeat.
Manager Mode also sees slight improvements with dynamic cutscenes and transfer negotiation tweaks. While the core loop remains familiar, the added narrative and RPG elements make Career Mode feel more immersive than in previous entries. However, some fans still find the mode underwhelming due to repetitive objectives and lack of innovation over time.
Pros: Deeper immersion, RPG progression, minor UI and scouting upgrades
Cons: Outdated interface, repetitive gameplay loops
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 for offline single-player experience
5. Women's Football Expands Globally
FIFA 23 significantly expands women’s football by including club teams for the first time. Players can now compete in England’s Women’s Super League and France’s Division 1 Féminine, in addition to national teams. The game also features separate motion capture for female players, making their movement distinct from male counterparts.
These additions are more than symbolic. FIFA 23 treats women’s football with respect and detail, offering gameplay that feels balanced and authentic. The mode still has room to grow—features like career mode and Ultimate Team integration are missing—but it marks a strong step toward greater representation in sports gaming.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 for inclusion and execution
6. Cross-Play and Online Integration
Cross-play support in FIFA 23 is a milestone for the franchise, allowing players across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC to compete in online modes such as Seasons, Friendlies, and Ultimate Team. This makes matchmaking faster and more balanced, especially in competitive divisions.
However, cross-play is limited by console generation. PS4 players cannot face PS5 opponents, and Pro Clubs—another major multiplayer mode—remains without cross-play support, which frustrated many fans. Despite these restrictions, cross-platform features make online play more accessible and reduce the fragmentation of FIFA’s massive player base.
Pros: Easier matchmaking, improved online balance
Cons: Incomplete cross-play, Pro Clubs exclusion
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 for online progression
7. Pro Clubs and Volta: Casual and Creative Play
Pro Clubs and Volta Football offer casual and cooperative alternatives to FUT and Career Mode. In Pro Clubs, players create and control a single custom character in 11v11 online matches. FIFA 23 added perks, traits, and new customization items to make your Pro more distinct, although overall progression remains grind-heavy.
Volta, FIFA’s street football mode, is integrated with Pro Clubs for shared progression. The gameplay is arcade-style, emphasizing flair and creativity in tight spaces. While it’s not the focus of FIFA 23, Volta has its own seasonal rewards and can be a refreshing break from traditional simulation.
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 for community modes and originality
8. Soundtrack, Commentary, and Presentation
FIFA 23 delivers its signature flair with a global soundtrack that blends hip-hop, Latin pop, EDM, and indie music. Featuring artists like ROSALÍA, Jack Harlow, and Bad Bunny, the playlist maintains the franchise’s tradition of shaping the musical taste of its audience. The interface, menus, and cinematics are polished and vibrant.
Commentary also improves, with new duo Derek Rae and Stewart Robson offering more reactive and varied commentary. In Career Mode, former pros like Alex Scott join as sideline reporters, adding realism. These production values elevate the game’s presentation to sports-broadcast levels.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 for audio-visual excellence
9. Microtransactions and Player Feedback
As with previous FIFA entries, microtransactions in Ultimate Team remain a divisive topic. While the game offers plenty of free content and objectives, the grind to obtain elite players without spending money can be excessive. FIFA Points offer a shortcut but come with the risks of loot box mechanics and gambling-like behavior.
Players have called for better pack transparency and alternative progression paths. Although FIFA 23 introduced more grindable options like FUT Moments and Objectives, pay-to-win concerns still persist at higher competitive levels. Player feedback has prompted some improvements, but monetization continues to be one of the game’s biggest criticisms.
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 for economic balance
10. The Transition to EA Sports FC
FIFA 23 is more than just a game—it is a transitional moment for sports gaming. EA has confirmed that future installments will continue under the new title EA Sports FC. Licensing agreements with leagues, clubs, and players will continue, ensuring that gameplay familiarity and realism remain intact.
This moment gives FIFA 23 extra weight. It represents the culmination of decades of experience and hints at future directions in presentation, AI, and online ecosystems. As a farewell, FIFA 23 successfully honors its legacy while preparing players for a new chapter in virtual football.
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 for historical importance and foundation for the future
Conclusion: FIFA 23 as a Grand Finale to a Global Giant
FIFA 23 succeeds in delivering a polished, expansive, and emotional final entry in the iconic series. From technical upgrades like HyperMotion2 to cultural moments like the inclusion of women’s leagues and the celebration of global football, it covers every base with detail and care. Whether you play competitively in FUT or casually in Volta, FIFA 23 has something to offer every kind of football fan.
While issues such as monetization and content gaps in modes like Career and Pro Clubs persist, the game’s improvements in visuals, gameplay mechanics, and cross-play integration stand out. As EA prepares to transition to EA Sports FC, FIFA 23 is a strong send-off—one that closes the book with a legacy of excellence and ambition.
Final Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5
FIFA 23 may be the end of a name, but it is the beginning of a new era. It stands as both a celebration and a promise of more to come in the world of virtual football.
