FIFA 23 is a surprising change of pace for the franchise

polygon.com:

Pace is pretty much everything in FIFA 23. In fact, it was the first thing I noticed, even in — maybe especially in — my first match.

Though FIFA23’s HyperMotion 2 system of motion capture and machine-learning is by definition an iterative work, complete with a buzzy marketing term applied to it, it’s not an incremental one. By capturing, analyzing, and processing more 11-on-11, 90-minute real-world soccer matches, EA Sports is selling FIFA 23 as a game where players have, if not greater control over the ball, then at least a greater understanding of how their on-screen footballer can manage it. Average or lesser players might have a lot of speed, but with poorer dribbling ratings, they will waste a lot of energy keeping control of the ball, slowing their pace noticeably. Forwards, however, especially the superstars, can turn on the afterburners and burst into the clear like never before. It’s exhilarating, but also a little embarrassing, to realize, Jeez, I could have done that all along.

Last week I spoke to Kantcho Doskov, FIFA 23’s gameplay director at EA Vancouver, and asked him for the four or five things I should notice first in a series whose improvements are frequently subtle. This kind of control and pace, and its differentiation among players, was at the top of Doskov’s list. “There are so many more subtleties in gameplay that you’ll feel over multiple matches, or after a while,” he said. “But that’s the big first one that you’re going to notice.”

He’s right. Even if the game feels slower on the whole, the defense will still swarm you if you’re not thinking ahead to build up your attack. But a fortunate through-ball to your striker is deadlier than ever, and can turn the 39th minute in a 0-0 game into a