Microtransactions still loom large yet small tweaks and FIFA 23 Coins the power of the latest-gen consoles can make FIFA 22 feel like a worthwhile upgrade without the need for any groundbreaking or exciting features from EA's part. - Jordan Oloman, September 27, 2021
Player Career is a brand new persona system that lets you play, with the most dramatic air quotes, take on the role of your chosen footballer. It was for me, it amounted to earning 25 'Maverick points to purchase a 'High-end Hybrid Mattress' for a Serbian striker playing in the K-League, so you can imagine the amount of time I spent with this.
You are now able to select an actual coach (or Ted Lasso, however real you believe him to become) to play as Manager Career too, but except for cosplay as a muted Jason Sudekis or dress as Eddie Howe in a lovely sweater, there's nothing else to do except watch the ridiculous cutscenes. The time and effort spent on importing AFC Richmond for its brief novelty value could have easily had better use for example, implementing Women's Club Football into Career Mode, but that's still not included. It's a pity because the women's football game is an excellent example of efficacy of EA's HyperMotion motion-capture technology, offering authentic animations that increase the intensity.
But, FIFA 23 still has the ability to be excruciating. Goalkeepers sometimes collapse in the middle of the field instead of trying to make a save, while there are few things more frustrating than being confronted by a dweeb in Seasons, who is more attracted by endlessly complex moves and stepsovers than playing football.
Matchmaking appears to have been improved. When you're playing against clubs outside the European elite, it's not as easy to draw attention to your PSGs and cheap FUT 23 Coins your Real Madrids as frequently, but occasionally, a Ronaldo perve still pops on the screen on the pitch as Manchester United. Perhaps this speaks more to the Red Devils' fall from the top than anything else, though.