Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One (Reviewed)
Genre: Sports
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
PES has it’s 25th anniversary this year. PES has come a long way since its inception back in 1995. It’s the iconic brand of the football game that has spanned a two-decade rivalry with FIFA.
This year we have eFootball PES 2021 Season Update which is a reduced-priced version of the game. It does what it says in the title, it’s a season update and not an entirely updated version. The new improved overhaul of PES is pencilled in for 2021. This year’s version of PES is almost identical to eFootball PES 2020 with updated players, a few additions to the master leagues, and some minor gameplay improvements.
FIFA and PES suffer from an annual release syndrome, where minor changes are applied from the previous edition but the game is priced at full whack. In theory, you could be paying for a full-priced game just for updated teams and rosters. It’s been mooted for a long time that an update that has no major changes shouldn’t be a full-price game. This year’s PES is that, the updated rooster and some minor changes but at a reduced price. The makers are fairly clear about this in the title of the game.
Gameplay changes centre around better close control and more attentive feedback with players. You seem to better ball control which in turn leads to better player control. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a huge thing but these minor changes do give an extra sense of realism to the game. Game fluidity is improved. This is welcomed and is duly noted. Apart from the updated team rosters and additional managers, it’s the same as eFootball PES 2020.
There is one point that should have been addressed is some AI. Issues around AI occur when a ball is deflected and the AI just ceases to exist. This leads to comical moments in the game where players stay stationary as a ball slowly rolls by them. It would have been nice if this bug was addressed as it’s the most obvious issue with the gameplay mechanics. The clunky menus from the late 90s persist too.
The PES franchise is the best football game out there and eFootball PES 2021 Season Update brings some minor improvements. The question is whether eFootball PES 2021 Season Update is worth buying if you have eFootball PES 2020 and this is the tough question. I’m a big fan of football games and will get my money’s worth. The reduced price would be a huge incentive and will entice owners of eFootball PES 2020.
If you haven’t played or don’t own eFootball PES 2020, you should buy eFootball PES 2021 Season Update it’s unbelievable value. I can understand the reluctance of owners to pay for a seasonal update of a game but we have been doing this for years for the cost of the full price game. I think the game is fairly priced considering what you get for it.
As I said it’s the best football game despite the lack of licenses.
Overall: 8/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
