FIFA 23 will mark the end of an era, as it will be the last title in the legendary partnership between EA Sports and FIFA that has produced nearly three decades' worth of successful games. With FIFA 23 holding such importance, there is a lot of hope that EA Sports will pull out all the stops to ensure that the final title in the FIFA franchise will be a memorable one. With the recent release of the first trailer, many fans are excited, as it hints at many new features and modes that are sure to excite soccer fans around the world and make FIFA 23 one of the most anticipated soccer games in recent memory.
The FIFA 23 trailer is mainly a cinematic look at the upcoming game, with the commentary discussing all the changes and new additions. For the first time, it also heavily features female soccer players, possibly meaning that female leagues and game modes will be more abundant to give fans a chance to experience a side of soccer that has not been prevalent in gaming. From a new animation system to a brand-new free kick system, FIFA 23 is set to give players the most realistic soccer game on the market while paying homage to the partnership between two giants in the industry.
HyperMotion 2 Technology
While the first iteration of HyperMotion was introduced in FIFA 22, many fans thought that the animations were limited, and the game did not feel like it was played by professionals since the motion capture used two teams of non-professionals to get the animations. HyperMotion 2 seems to be a major step in the right direction, as it uses new motion capture technology that gets data from actual professional-level matches and gives fans an utterly realistic experience. FIFA 23 promises tons of new animations, for both players on the pitch and fans in the stands, as well as a boost to realism since the animations used are captured from real players in real games.
Stadiums and Atmosphere
With EA Sports and FIFA regaining a few of their lost licenses, fans are excited to play with real team names and stadiums once again. In the trailer, fans got a look at new animations that could be used in the game, including spectators on the streets outside the stadium before the start of the game, and a stadium filled with noise and atmosphere to a level that has not been seen in other FIFA titles. Further, the brief look at the different stadiums also showcased the possibility of a dynamic weather system that could alter the way a match is played, as rain can start or stop midway through the game. These features could bring a heightened level of realism and make every goal conceded or scored seem more rewarding.
Gameplay
Throughout the trailer, fans were given a cinematic look into FIFA 23’s gameplay with short segments of what the actual gameplay would look like. With HyperMotion 2, the improved animations will also likely lead to better collision systems and more realistic ball physics, as this is something that is generally improved in every FIFA title. However, one of the biggest gameplay changes showcased in the trailer includes the changes to the free kick system that fans have felt could be greatly improved in past titles.
There are two aspects of the free kick system that were shown in the trailer. Gamers will now be allowed to place a player lying down behind the wall to offer more protection from low-driven shots, and they will also be seeing a change to the shooting mechanics of free kicks. The new systems give players more information about the free kick, including distance and the possibility for a goal, as well as a new aim system that seems to give players more feedback. There will also be a circle around the ball that will determine where the player will strike the ball which can affect spin, dip, and power, giving players more control over their set pieces and allowing FIFA fans to try new tactics while taking free kicks.
Game Modes
While game modes in recent FIFA titles have felt lackluster due to the repetitive process and lack of changes, fans were hoping that the trailer would bring news about additions to Career Mode and other popular game modes. Unfortunately, the trailer did not have this, but it could have hinted at a new Career Mode option where fans get to control a national team as they try to win multiple World Cups. In past titles, Career Mode has allowed players to control a team at the club level and accept jobs from international teams, however, with the World Cup playing a big part in FIFA 23, it is likely that fans will get a chance to start a Career Mode as an international manager, and make big decisions about the matches, lineups, and training of their selected team.
FIFA 23 needs to be the most successful title from EA Sports to prove that the company is more than capable of producing great soccer games, even though recent titles have not lived up to the hype. The new animation system, changes to gameplay and atmosphere, and the new World Cup game mode can all shape the future of soccer titles produced by EA Sports. With FIFA 23 marking the end of the FIFA and EA Sports partnership, the success of the game will be of utmost importance to properly pay homage to the three-decade-long work that has made FIFA titles so popular.
FIFA 23 is set to release in 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.