FIFA 23 Season 1: A Deep Dive Review

by Jhon Lennon 37 views

Hey guys! Let's dive deep into FIFA 23's Season 1. We're going to break down everything that made it awesome (or not-so-awesome) and give you the lowdown on what to expect moving forward. Whether you're a seasoned FIFA pro or a newbie just getting your feet wet, this review packet's got something for you. Get ready for an in-depth look at gameplay tweaks, new features, and overall impressions. Let's get started!

Gameplay and Mechanics

FIFA 23 brought some significant changes to gameplay and mechanics, and Season 1 gave us our first real taste of how these changes would play out over the long term. One of the most talked-about additions was the HyperMotion2 technology. This was supposed to bring a new level of realism to player movements and animations, and for the most part, it delivered. You could really see the difference in how players moved on the pitch, with more fluid and natural animations that made the game feel more authentic. However, it wasn't perfect. Some players reported occasional glitches and awkward movements, which could be immersion-breaking. But overall, HyperMotion2 was a step in the right direction. Another key change was the revamped shooting system. EA promised more control and precision when taking shots, and again, this mostly held true. Players had more options for aiming and adding flair to their shots, leading to some spectacular goals. The new power shot mechanic, in particular, was a game-changer, allowing players to unleash powerful, accurate shots with a satisfying sense of impact. The revamped set-piece system also deserves a mention. Free kicks and corners were made more intuitive and less frustrating, with clearer aiming guides and more realistic ball physics. This made set-pieces a more viable attacking option and added another layer of strategy to the game.

Of course, no gameplay overhaul is without its drawbacks. Some players felt that the new mechanics made the game too slow and deliberate, while others struggled to adapt to the changes. There were also complaints about the AI, which occasionally made questionable decisions both on and off the ball. Despite these issues, the overall consensus was that FIFA 23's gameplay was a significant improvement over its predecessor. The changes made the game more realistic, more strategic, and more fun to play. Season 1 was a good proving ground for these changes, and it will be interesting to see how EA builds on them in future updates.

Ultimate Team

Ah, Ultimate Team. The mode that everyone loves to hate (and hates to love). FIFA 23's Ultimate Team saw some notable changes in Season 1, with the introduction of new card types, events, and challenges. One of the biggest changes was the revamped chemistry system. In previous FIFA games, chemistry was based on player positions and links between players from the same league or nation. In FIFA 23, chemistry was reworked to be more flexible and forgiving. Players could now link up with players from different leagues and nations, as long as they shared certain attributes or playstyles. This made team building more creative and allowed players to experiment with different squad combinations. However, the new chemistry system wasn't without its critics. Some players felt that it was too easy to achieve high chemistry, which reduced the challenge of team building. Others argued that it made the game too predictable, as everyone was using the same meta teams.

Despite these criticisms, the new chemistry system was generally well-received. It made Ultimate Team more accessible to casual players and allowed for more diverse and interesting team compositions. In addition to the chemistry changes, Season 1 also saw the introduction of new card types and events. EA continued its tradition of releasing special edition cards to celebrate real-world events and performances. These cards often had boosted stats and unique attributes, making them highly sought after by players. There were also regular events and challenges that offered players the chance to earn rewards, such as coins, packs, and special cards. These events helped to keep the game fresh and engaging, and they provided players with a constant stream of content to enjoy. Overall, Ultimate Team in FIFA 23 Season 1 was a mixed bag. The new chemistry system was a positive change, but it wasn't perfect. The new card types and events were fun and engaging, but they could also be grindy and repetitive. EA needs to continue to refine and improve Ultimate Team in future updates to keep players coming back for more.

Career Mode

For those of us who prefer a more solitary FIFA experience, Career Mode is where it's at. And in FIFA 23, Season 1 brought some welcome improvements to this classic mode. One of the biggest additions was the revamped player career mode. In previous FIFA games, player career mode was often criticised for being shallow and repetitive. In FIFA 23, EA attempted to address these criticisms by adding more depth and variety to the player career experience. Players could now make more meaningful decisions about their careers, such as choosing their training regime, negotiating contracts, and interacting with teammates and managers. There were also new cutscenes and storylines that helped to bring the player career to life. However, the player career mode still had its limitations. Some players felt that the decision-making was too simplistic and that the storylines were too generic. There was also a lack of meaningful consequences for player actions, which reduced the sense of immersion.

Despite these limitations, the revamped player career mode was a step in the right direction. It added more depth and variety to the player career experience, making it more engaging and rewarding. In addition to the player career changes, Season 1 also saw some improvements to the manager career mode. EA added more realistic transfer negotiations, more detailed scouting reports, and more in-depth financial management. These changes made the manager career mode more challenging and rewarding, and they helped to bring the game closer to the real-world experience of managing a football club. Overall, Career Mode in FIFA 23 Season 1 was a solid improvement over previous FIFA games. The revamped player career mode added more depth and variety to the player career experience, while the improvements to the manager career mode made the game more challenging and rewarding. EA still has work to do to make Career Mode a truly immersive and engaging experience, but Season 1 was a good start.

Pro Clubs

Pro Clubs, the mode where you and your buddies can create your own virtual football team and take on the world, also saw some love in FIFA 23 Season 1. EA introduced new customisation options, skill games, and progression systems to keep players engaged. One of the biggest changes was the revamped player growth system. In previous FIFA games, player growth was largely based on match performance. In FIFA 23, player growth was reworked to be more skill-based. Players could now earn skill points by completing skill games and challenges, and they could use these skill points to upgrade their player's attributes. This made player growth more rewarding and allowed players to tailor their player's development to their preferred playstyle. However, the new player growth system wasn't without its drawbacks. Some players felt that it was too grindy and time-consuming, while others argued that it made the game too predictable, as everyone was using the same meta builds.

Despite these criticisms, the new player growth system was generally well-received. It made player growth more rewarding and allowed players to customise their player's development to their preferred playstyle. In addition to the player growth changes, Season 1 also saw the introduction of new customisation options for Pro Clubs. Players could now customise their team's kits, crests, and stadiums with a wider range of options. This made Pro Clubs more personal and allowed players to express their creativity. Overall, Pro Clubs in FIFA 23 Season 1 was a solid improvement over previous FIFA games. The revamped player growth system made player growth more rewarding, while the new customisation options made Pro Clubs more personal. EA still has work to do to make Pro Clubs a truly immersive and engaging experience, but Season 1 was a good start.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final verdict on FIFA 23 Season 1? Overall, it was a solid start to the FIFA 23 cycle. The gameplay was improved, Ultimate Team was tweaked, Career Mode was revamped, and Pro Clubs got some love. There were certainly some issues and areas for improvement, but overall, FIFA 23 Season 1 was a fun and engaging experience. If you're a FIFA fan, then you probably already own FIFA 23. But if you're on the fence, then I would recommend giving it a try. It's not perfect, but it's a good FIFA game.

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how EA builds on FIFA 23 in future updates and seasons. There are certainly some areas that could be improved, such as the AI, the player career mode, and the Pro Clubs progression system. But overall, FIFA 23 is a solid foundation for the future of the FIFA franchise.