Introduction

AFL 23, the latest from Big Ant Studios, throws gamers onto the hallowed turf of the Australian Football League, albeit with the finesse of a kangaroo learning ballet. After a prolonged wait reminiscent of your mate's eternal quest for the perfect meat pie, AFL 23 has finally bounced into the Xbox Series X/S, ready to tackle unexpected bugs and the occasional dashing goal (we hope). So, is this game a perfect mark or does it miss the goal post by a mile? Let’s dive in!

Gameplay

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of gameplay. AFL 23 aims to replicate the thrills of an actual AFL match but sometimes feels like you're controlling a bunch of confused chickens more than elite athletes. Players can engage in quick matches, a thrilling season mode, or (drumroll, please) a management career, because nothing screams 'fun' like crunching numbers and balancing budgets, am I right? The Academy tool is also included, which allows you to create custom players, clubs, and even submit battlefield-worthy uniforms to the community. Yes, you too can design a guernsey that looks like a failed art project! Plus, just when you think they nailed it with the sports simulation, BOOM! A briefing on how to improve your tackling will show up, as if the game’s been monitoring your skills from afar. Talk about pressure!

Graphics

Graphically, AFL 23 tries to deliver that feel of a live match with all its glory, but in reality, it’s like attending an outdoor concert with a bad Wi-Fi connection. The player models range from ‘wow, that looks just like him’ to ‘wait, is that a potato wearing a headband?’ The stadiums, however, have got their visuals sorted; meaning if you squint just right, you might convince your friends you're watching a genuine match on TV. Just don't zoom in on the players too much, or you might suddenly face an existential crisis wondering how that guy looks nothing like he does in real life.

Conclusion

In summary, AFL 23 looks like it wants to juggle multiple tasks—the exhilarating fast-paced gameplay, engaging career modes, and building community connections—but it often ends up tripping over its own shoelaces. While there’s significant potential and some genuinely fun elements, the launch brought along its fair share of bugs and crashes, which might leave gamers feeling like they dropped the ball. If you’re a die-hard AFL fan, you might as well grab it; just keep your expectations in check and invest in some backup snacks for when the digital ball gets dropped. At the end of the day, AFL 23 is like that friend who talks a big game at the pub but forgets how to kick the ball when it matters most. It’s a solid entry with some strong aspects but misses the mark on execution. If only it could’ve caught its own hype—we’d be talking about a real champion!

See Latest Prices for AFL 23 on Xbox Series X/S on Amazon