eFootball 2022

eFootball 2022 is the latest version of the legendary Pro Evolution Soccer video game franchise which has recently gone through the process of dramatic transformation, becoming a fully-fledged free-to-play title available for all PC users without the need to purchase it.

Built from the ground up to provide a realistic football experience to millions of fans from all around the world, eFootball 2022 for PC represents one of the most important titles in the decade-long history of Japanese video game publishing giant Konami.

eFootball 2022 introduces players to brand-new systems that fuel the on-field action and behind the camera team management. This includes a new animation platform for recreating famous soccer players, a new dynamic system for one-on-one duels, in-depth team controls, and an extensive multiplayer that even supports cross-platform play. One of the greatest changes was a technical one – an introduction of a brand-new rendering engine.

• Soccer Evolved
• A New Engine for a New Era
• eSports Without Borders
• Free to Play and Future Updates

After years of running on the highly capable Fox Engine, developers from Konami moved to the popular Unreal Engine, which is a move that allows them to build a stable tech platform that could evolve regularly over the next years. The first iteration of the game inside Unreal Engine is ambitious but is mostly focused on providing a stable experience that mostly promotes new animation and player control systems.

The launch version of eFootball 2022 represents just a foundation that will receive aggressive updates during the following months and years. For example, the first version of the game featured local matches with only 9 preselected teams and challenge events against AI and online opponents, but many more teams, stadiums, game modes, and tournaments are planned to be added. While the game is right now slim with in-game content and features some questionable visual rendering features, developers have promised an aggressive update cycle and quick fixing of all found issues.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDED

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

• OS: Windows 10 - 64bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-7600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 590
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 50 GB available space

It offers an exciting football simulation on the screen of almost any modern device, from PCs to home consoles and mobile phones. The PC version is optimized only for the 64-bit version of Windows 10 OS or Windows 11 OS and requires the presence of at least a modern quadcore CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a capable GPU card.

PROS

• Realistic Gameplay: Konami has historically focused on providing a more realistic and simulation-based gameplay experience compared to its competitor FIFA series. This realism can be appealing to fans seeking authenticity.
• Master League: The Master League mode, where players can manage their own team, has been a staple of the series and often praised for its depth and immersive experience.
• Fluid Mechanics: The game engine has been lauded for its fluid player animations and ball physics, contributing to a more lifelike experience on the virtual pitch.
• License Acquisitions: While not always on par with FIFA in terms of licensing, Konami has secured partnerships with some top clubs and leagues, which can enhance the authenticity of the game for fans of those teams.
• Modding Community: Historically, the PES series has had a strong modding community, allowing players to enhance the game experience with additional content such as updated kits, stadiums, and more.

CONS

• Licensing Limitations: Despite efforts, Konami has often lagged behind EA Sports' FIFA in terms of licensing, meaning some teams, leagues, and players may not be fully represented or may be represented under fictional names.
• Online Modes: While improving, the online modes of PES have sometimes faced criticism for issues such as lag, matchmaking problems, or lack of depth compared to offline modes.
• Presentation: The overall presentation, including menus, commentary, and pre-match build-up, has sometimes been seen as lacking polish compared to FIFA, which sets a high standard in this regard.
• Player Base: While PES has a dedicated fan base, it generally trails behind FIFA in terms of sales and online player numbers, which can affect the matchmaking experience and longevity of online modes.