FIFA 23 hands-on preview – one last hurrah for EA’s soccer sim

This year's FIFA will be all about inclusivity.

Now we know that Kylian Mbappé and Sam Kerr are the cover stars for the historic Ultimate Edition of FIFA 23, it’s time to let the pitch do the talking. 

In a presentation seen by GLHF, EA celebrated the 30-year-long partnership between itself and the soccer governing body, FIFA – a partnership that’s coming to an end after the launch of FIFA 23. EA seems determined to end it on a high note. 

This year it’s all about inclusivity, hence the inclusion of a woman player on the cover of the Ultimate Edition. In-game, that comes in the form of two World Cups, one for men and one for women. There’s also the FA Women’s Premier League for those who enjoy women’s soccer.

But it’s not just inclusivity on the pitch, there’s a bigger push for accessibility for players, too. This time around, there’s an all-new training center, which features challenges and guides to ease new players into the sport. 

You’ll also be able to include your friends, thanks to cross-play. Players across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Stadia will be able to compete online in one-on-one matches. The same goes for last-gen players on PS4 and Xbox One, though they will be in a separate player pool, at least initially. 

When you finally get the ball at your feet, FIFA 23 feels like EA has perfected its version of the sport. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a refinement of the beautiful game. 

There are some new additions, of course. Power Shot allows you to power up shots for a more precise kick by holding the shoulder buttons, similarly to eFootball 2022’s Stunning Kick mechanic, but you’ll still need to be positioned well to pull it off. 

Fire one of these off as a player like Haaland and the goalie has no chance. But if you’re playing as a midfielder, you’re likely better off sticking to a curved kick. 

On top of that, free kicks and corners have been revamped entirely. Simply scroll through a list of kick types and take the shot. Penalties are similar, though there’s a lot of sensitivity on the stick when placing your shot if you don’t want it to go wide. Remember, little movements. 

Elsewhere, it’s mostly quality of life features, such as more animations that flow together more smoothly. Players automatically stop high balls with their legs and flow straight into body movement in the same, lifelike animation. Likewise, you’ll see defenders stealing balls with their heels during a sliding tackle, and attackers will occasionally hit a ball with their backs if the situation calls for it. 

The grass on the pitch also looks more realistic, and it gets deformed as players slide across it. When a goalkeeper stops a ball, you can even see their individual fingers bend back from the force. 

Certain players have also had their unique styles translated into the game, lending extra authenticity to the on-pitch action. You’ll even see left-footed players actually use their left foot for tricks this time around. What a concept!

The only major downside to the build we played was the AI, which often refuses to stick with the player they’re supposed to be marking. This leads to a “one for you, one for me” cadence where you’re trading goals with the other player. 

Of course, there’s still plenty of time to iron out these issues, and it certainly didn’t help that this build was filled with unstoppable beasts like Messi and Neymar Jr. 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll have a lot more to share with you, in terms of what’s new and what’s changed in FIFA 23. So, stay tuned for more. 

Written by Kirk McKeand on behalf of GLHF.