Set Pieces are equally convincing, affording you more control over the power and FIFA 23 Coins curl of your corners and free kicks. It took some time however, the free kicks improved on me over time, since they're far more intricate and superior to the chaotic stick-pulling of previous times. Additionally, Penalty shootouts appear like a brutal rhythm game. One that's held by the gods.
FIFA 23 also comes with visually enhanced versions - however, the process is more iterative and gradual than last year's transition onto PS5 as well as Series X - focusing this time around scuff-happy turf and bouncier hairstyles. The most prominent examples are players' animations on the pitch rather than faces, which are still wildly different in terms of quality between cover stars as well as regular players and those who belong to the cult group.
Defenders will put their legs into the back of the player that they're jockeying with, and keepers will react in a convincing manner in the event that they aren't able to see falling to the ground in the event that a defender blocks stumbling backwards to swat an unflinching ball.
The gruelling match commentary is back with a fury however, after hearing "he beat it to death with aplomb" one too many times, I was giddily and reminded that you could turn it all off and try to erase the damage done to your mind due to all the criticism of your play style.
This lets you pump in the usual dazzling soundtrack with Bad Bunny bangers and underground audio earworms by DOSS in addition to Cryalot. There's something about squeezing in an Bruno Guimar?es aid as you listen to the incessant German Drill that allows you to grind out a terrible Career Mode season much more acceptable.
Beyond the game's moment-to-moment action, FIFA 23 predictably focuses its adjustments on the game mode that makes EA earn the highest amount of money. The microtransaction-ridden Ultimate Team is flush with additions, but Career Mode and Volta Football barely get a look-in, which says much about EA's long-standing attitude to these modes, especially in this supposedly ornamental final FIFA-branded entry.
It's the same gripe we have when it comes to Madden NFL 23 and NBA 2K23: despite how we dislike how they tilt the playing field towards the player who pays the most, so many people are playing and spending money on it that EA continues to increase the amount on it, instead of the fair and balanced styles we love more.
FIFA 22 marks the beginning of the next technology in virtual football, and while it doesn't reinvent the ball however, the attacking and defending gameplay is more fluid from moment to moment. Visual inconsistencies and goalkeeping mistakes aside, this year's FIFA remains to be one of the most nuanced and enjoyable multi-sport games on the market. Furthermore, the addition of FUT 23 Coins for sale new features across Career Mode and Volta Football have made FIFA's major modes more fun to play.