FIFA 23 review roundup – 'a stylish, expansive final bow for EA’s FIFA series as we know it'
EA's final FIFA game has reviewed similarly to last year's soccer sim, but problems remain
➡️ The Shortcut Skinny: FIFA 23 reviews
⚽ FIFA 23 has a Metacritic score of 77 based on 37 critic reviews
👍 It means that FIFA 23 has generally received favorable reviews overall
🙌 FIFA 23 is the last FIFA game, as next year’s title will be called EA Sports FC
💰 FIFA 23 is available now for $69.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game is $59.99 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition is also available for $89.99
FIFA 23 is now available to football (or soccer) fans across the globe, and it appears to be another solid entry for EA’s annual franchise. Strangely, this is the last FIFA title from EA Sports, as the game will be rebranded as EA Sports FC next year as EA failed to renew its licensing agreement with the Federation Internationale de Football Association.
FIFA 23 has a Metacritic score of 77 based on 37 critic reviews for the PS5 version of the game, which means it generally received favorable review scores. However, it’s failed to eclipse last year’s FIFA 22, amassing similar scores.
The Daily Star awarded FIFA a perfect score but believes the game could get even better next year once it’s free from the shackles of the FIFA license. “It’s a huge gaming bundle and everything you want from a football game. Fans will be sad to see this console icon go, but with a new look next year there is the potential for EA to freshen things up and deliver something even better.”
NME gave FIFA 23 a score of 8 out of 10 and said, “FIFA has rarely felt better. Thanks to the best Ultimate Team yet and immersive current-gen haptics that make you feel like you’re on the pitch, FIFA 23 is a stylish, expansive final bow for EA’s FIFA series as we know it.”
GamesRadar felt similarly, giving the game an 8 out of 10, but noted FIFA 23 still suffers from the same issues as previous games in the series. “EA and FIFA part company with a game packing fresh content both on and off the park – but FIFA 23 is ultimately hamstrung by a pair of longstanding frustrations.”
IGN was less impressed but still gave FIFA 23 a 7 out of 10. “FIFA 23 is a bombastic swan song for the series (under its current name, at least) with a welcome focus on theatrical flair. FUT Moments, action replays and viral-friendly gameplay revisions like Power Shots make it a more considered, memorable game of simulated football with intentional defending and plenty of drama and goals. But EA's Spartan approach to the modes that don't make money ensures FIFA 23 is an all-too-familiar beast to previous years, and Ultimate Team’s offensive focus on microtransactions continues to take much of the fun out of it.”
GameSpot mirrored IGN’s score of 7 and, like IGN, highlighted the game’s controversial Ultimate Team mode. “FIFA 23 is a fitting end to an era, successfully capturing the essence of the beautiful game alongside the disheartening practices of the profit-hungry vultures circling overhead. It's as much about greed as it is about scoring a screamer. A game where the on-pitch action has been refined with slicker passing, more effective defending, and myriad animations that bring it all to life, yet the shadow of gambling looms over it all.”
Will you be picking up FIFA 23? Let us know in the comments below.