Introduction

Get ready to lace up those boots and tackle the sofa-AFL 23 is here! As the latest installment in the long-running AFL video game saga, it promises to bring the stadium excitement right into your living room. Well, sort of, as long as you don't expect the smell of sweaty jocks or hear those crowd roars. And let's not forget the glorious delays that kept gamers on the edge of their seats, or more likely, rolling their eyes! But can this game score the winning goal for sports fans or will it fumble the ball? Let's dive in!

Gameplay

AFL 23 aims to replicate the sensational chaos of an Australian rules football match. Players get to experience a range of modes, from the classic quick play-perfect for those needing a quick adrenaline fix-to a more in-depth season mode where you can lead your favorite club through a grueling competition. Don't just play; manage! The management career mode lets you balance player trades, team finances, and maybe even sneak in a few calls to the footy hotline for some advice. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Pro Team mode, where you could build your own dream team, was as delayed as this game's Xbox release. This mode finally came out in 2024 which, let's be real, feels like a sequel already. Creating players, teams, and custom jerseys is your way to inject personality into the game. The Academy tool allows for creating custom players and teams, giving everyone their shot at glory, or more likely, a chance to watch their players trip over the ball while trying to score an easy goal. With commentary from legends like Anthony Hudson and Kelli Underwood, matches feel like old school Saturday footy, but sometimes the commentary can feel a bit scripted, making it less like a thrilling game of footy and more like your friend's half-hearted narrations during a backyard match. Surprisingly, the ball physics are a highlight. Kicking that oval ball around feels fluid and you'll often miss scoring opportunities simply because you couldn't master that fancy kick technique you spent weeks practicing in the backyard. This is where you'd want to take the time to learn the controls unless you're fine with your players desperately trying to catch the footy while tripping over their own feet!

Graphics

Visuals in AFL 23 aren't going to make you weep tears of joy, but they're serviceable. The player models are decent, with recognizable features that may or may not make players feel like they're actually involved in the game. Stadiums have that polished look, although they might lack the bustle of a full-capacity crowd on match day. You'll see more absent players than in a high school prom photo! The animations do their job but sometimes leave players looking like they've just come out of a very aggressive yoga class rather than a footy game. When it comes to the overall presentation, the menus and interface are clean and intuitive, which is great because with footy games, you don't want to spend thirty minutes searching for the 'play' button. The graphics leave a bit to be desired considering we're in 2023 and have seen what other sports titles can achieve, but this is a step up from previous installments, at least in some areas. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the aesthetics do not detract from the gameplay and still keep you deep in footy vibes as you race toward the goal with the grace of a newborn giraffe.

Conclusion

AFL 23 would likely get mixed reviews from fans. The game doesn't quite stick the landing amid a few clunky mechanics and many delays, making it feel like it was developed in the shadows. Yet, there are glimmers of hope-like the wacky possibilities in creating your custom team and the delight of managing the ups and downs of a season mode. It can't be denied there are some solid gameplay moments scattered throughout, but it ultimately doesn't rise to the same heights as its competitors in the sports genre. Would I recommend it? If you're a die-hard footy fan, absolutely-give it a go. For everybody else? Perhaps wait a little while until those bugs are squashed, and maybe keep a football on hand just to relive those exhilarating goals outside! Remember, this only scores a solid five out of ten, which isn't a total defeat, but you might want to step back and practice your kick first. Overall, AFL 23 is a rollercoaster ride of excitement, frustration, and occasionally wishful thinking that aims to replicate the thrill of the AFL but occasionally finds itself tripping over its own shoelaces.

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