FIFA 23 Review: 8 Ups & 6 Downs

4. Passing Is PES-tastic

EA won't like anyone saying this, but it's true. FIFA 23's weightier passing feels like a step towards the final few iterations of PES before Konami went all eFootball and wrecked their own gameplay. Balls cannon off players if not carefully weighted/placed, and the laser-guided looks of before are becoming a thing of the past.

Of course, AI teams still occasionally ping the ball about like machines when clocks hit injury time and they need one more shot on goal. This is especially irksome when you're 2-1 up and have been playing well. It's like the CPU wants to adds drama for the sake of it rather than because it makes sense.

Still, passing is satisfying this year.

The ball isn't some feather-light globe you can smash into Row Z by tapping forward towards midfield. Now, it's a heavier prop that feels part of the action and like it exists as a standalone object some players can handle better than others.