There can be no denying that next generation consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have revolutionized gaming for sports fans. The new consoles’ improved GPU, CPU and internal solid-state hard drives result in a superior gaming experience for all, and with the PS5 capable of running at 4k/120fps — Sony’s newest console, in particular, is a boon for sporting gamers.
But no console is complete without the right game to compliment it. It would be no good to have a brand new PS5 if it lacked decent titles to play. Well luckily, 2022 has been a great year for sports gamers and here are our two favorites for you to check out.
FIFA 23
The most popular sports game on the market is FIFA 23. The game is the final installment in EA Sports’ FIFA franchise, with the game’s publisher unable to strike a new deal with world football’s governing body, meaning that the game that was released last month will be the last that carries the FIFA name. The Canadian company has announced that they will continue to make football simulation games under the name EA Sports FC, but it remains to be seen whether they will remain as the market leader, or if FIFA’s newest partner – perhaps 2K or Konami – will take over.
FIFA 23 however, has been a fitting finale to the series. Its predecessor was already perhaps the finest game available on the PS5, but the new release is most definitely an upgrade, thanks to improved gameplay and graphics. The 9th generation console version also has a feature built in called acceleRATE, which means players reach their top speed in different ways. Tricky wingers such as Neymar will have the ‘explosive’ sprinting style, meaning that they reach their top speed much quicker and are able to blast past players. Defenders such as Virgil Van Dijk however, have the ‘lengthy’ sprinting style. This means that they are slower off the mark, but can reel players in once they have reached their top speed. The feature has proven to be a game changer.
For years, fans of the game had been up in arms at the gameplay, particularly in Ultimate Team mode. Critics would argue that on FUT – as it’s affectionately known – the opposition would be able to maraud through your defense at will if they had pacey attackers. Some players would also spam the right stick in order to do any and every skill move, and end up scoring goals for fun. That is a thing of the past in FIFA 23. The new release favors more possession-based football, so if you’re a fan of knocking the ball about like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, this is definitely the game for you.
The complaint regarding the game mode having far too many OP cards remains, however. If you’re poor on your pack luck and unwilling to buy FIFA points, then you may have to attempt to counterattack your way to victory, just as Leicester City did when they shocked the world back in 2016.
F1 2022
Codemasters’ Formula One franchise has been steadily solidifying itself as one of the finest sports games on the market for a number of years now. And F1 2022 is perhaps the finest of them all. The release is the second of the franchise under the flag of EA Sports, and the producer has brought this title on in leaps and bounds under its purview.
F1 2022 has much-improved graphics on its predecessor, as well as upgraded camera angles, celebrations, and a new race engineer, all which truly give the game a new feel.
Whether you will be able to overthrow newly crowned double World Champion Max Verstappen however, is a different matter entirely. The Flying Dutchman has romped to glory once again this season, winning the outright majority of races to far this season. Are you the one to topple Super Max?
