FIFA 23 had its first trailer revealed on Wednesday (20), showing some of the new features that arrive in the next game. Among them, highlight the greater focus on women’s soccer, which will now have club competitions, in addition to international teams present since 2020. There will even be two World Cups in the game: the men’s at the end of 2022, and the women’s in mid-2023.
Gameplay changes have also been confirmed, such as the arrival of a new version of HyperMotion. Likewise, crossplay will be a reality. The company will reveal more news about the different game modes in the future. It is worth remembering that this is the last game of the franchise with the name of the top soccer federation, which, starting next year, will be called EA Sports FC.
One of the new features in FIFA 23 is the adoption of crossplay, which was (and is being) tested in version 22 of the game. Nevertheless, the novelty is only for 1v1 matches, leaving out Pro Clubs, for example, a mode that depends on online matches with many players and could gain a lot with more agile matchmaking.
Still, Seasons, Friendlies, and online matches in FUT are included. It is worth remembering that, as tested in FIFA 22, users of the same generation (PS4 with Xbox One and PS5 with Xbox Series X/S, in this case) can play each other.
On the field, the changes are punctual, as they usually are in the annual updates of the franchise. Details such as the physics of the ball, the movements, and animations of players, as well as visual aspects from the pitch to the goal and the fans, gain some differences in FIFA 23.
FIFA 23 has several improvements to the marking system, such as a kind of extended cart and the positioning when it comes to surrounding the opponent, for example, to help the user’s life when it comes to defending. Likewise, FIFA 23 makes the race in the empty spaces of the field more “fair”, giving a chance to the markers to reach and disarm speedsters like Mbappé and Vinicius Jr.
In the attack, it is worth highlighting the greater ease to dribble, with faster and more assertive turns (something that also depends a lot on the player, of course). Another important point is the Power Shot, a special kick activated using L1 + R1. This movement brings an important visual effect to the game, bringing the camera closer and giving the player a greater sensitivity in directing the ball. The shot itself is stronger and harder to be intercepted by the goalkeeper, promising beautiful goals during gameplay.
EA has also changed the dead-ball mechanics in FIFA 23. If the previous game kept the logic of using sight and making the curve of the ball before hitting, this time it returns an important aspect and long “missing” from the franchise: the line provided for the path of the ball. This way, the user can direct his corner or free-kick with greater precision, adjusting the curve after the shot.
The need to time penalties correctly is also back, but no longer with the bar (abandoned a few versions ago), but with a “vent” around the ball. Therefore, to take the maximum penalties, the importance of the right timing returns.
Other important changes concern the players’ movements on the field. EA has used HyperMotion 2 to create these animations, keeping the logic of capturing a full match to catch the players’ movements on the field, for example. This facilitates, for example, the relationship of the goalkeeper with the ball and the attackers, which should be more natural in the game.
Speaking of this presence in the area, the kicks and headers may have varied trajectories, while the impact of the ball on players will be more realistic, with reflection in the movements of the fingers of the goalkeeper and a new perception of deflections and balls.
Spotlight on women’s soccer
If FIFA 20 brought women’s soccer into the franchise for the first time, EA took three years to include club competitions in the game. Now, in addition to the national teams, it will be possible to play with women’s teams from England and France, with Super League and D1F, respectively.
With this, Sam Kerr, star of Australia and cover of the game with Mbappé in the Ultimate version, can be used with the shirt of Chelsea, one of the best women’s teams of today. Also available are Lyon, reigning champions of the women’s Champions League, and other French rivals. The European competition, however, has not yet been confirmed.
An important addition related to women’s soccer is the World Cup, which will take place in 2023. The tournament will be licensed and marks the first time that the two most important competitions in soccer are available in the same FIFA: in addition to the women’s tournament, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand, the men’s World Cup in Qatar will also be licensed in the game.
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