eFootball Review by AI

eFootball Review by AI

 

Review of eFootball

eFootball, developed by Konami, is the successor to the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series, marking a bold shift in how the franchise approached football (soccer) video games. Launched in 2021, eFootball was introduced as a free-to-play platform, with regular updates and content releases, moving away from the traditional yearly release model. Although it promised a more dynamic and engaging football experience, the game has faced a mixture of excitement and criticism. Here's an in-depth review of eFootball:

Gameplay and Mechanics:

The gameplay in eFootball is where the game shows both its strengths and its struggles. When it works, eFootball offers a solid, realistic football simulation experience. The ball physics, player movements, and strategic play are reminiscent of the old PES titles, which were known for their fluid, responsive controls. The game strives to create a more natural feel for passing, dribbling, and shooting, with a focus on player agility and positioning.

However, eFootball has also faced criticism for being too simplistic in its early stages, with many players finding the gameplay to be too rigid and lacking the depth that made PES stand out. The controls can sometimes feel awkward or unpolished, especially in comparison to its main rival, FIFA. For example, the dribbling mechanics, while aiming for realism, can feel clunky, and there are issues with how players control the ball in tight spaces.

One area that does stand out positively is the improved AI. The computer-controlled players are better at making intelligent runs, positioning themselves for passes, and defending effectively. This adds to the realism, especially when playing against the AI in offline modes.

Konami has been releasing regular updates, aiming to address these issues and fine-tune the mechanics. While the improvements are ongoing, some players still feel that the gameplay lacks the smoothness and polish that defined the PES games in the past.

Graphics and Presentation:

Graphically, eFootball makes a strong first impression. The game features impressive player models with highly detailed facial animations and lifelike movement. Stadiums are recreated in great detail, with accurate representations of real-world locations. The lighting and weather effects, such as how rain impacts the pitch and the game’s atmosphere, contribute to a more immersive football experience.

However, the presentation feels somewhat inconsistent. While the visuals of individual players and stadiums look great, the menus, user interface, and overall presentation don’t match the high level of detail seen in the gameplay. The cutscenes and match introductions are relatively basic, lacking the cinematic feel found in other sports titles.

Additionally, there have been reports of performance issues on various platforms. While the game runs smoothly on high-end systems, players on older consoles or lower-end PCs may experience stuttering or frame rate drops, which can detract from the overall experience.

Game Modes:

One of the significant changes in eFootball is its shift to a free-to-play model, which has changed the way content is structured. Unlike previous PES games, which offered a full package of game modes at launch, eFootball has launched with limited content, with the promise of future updates and features being added over time. This means that players only have access to a handful of modes in the beginning, including standard exhibition matches, local multiplayer, and a simplified version of Master League (which has been more fully developed in later updates).

The lack of a robust single-player campaign or management mode at launch was a significant downside for many fans of the PES series, who were used to having a complete package right out of the box. Konami has promised that new features, including more team customization, deeper career modes, and additional game modes, will be introduced gradually, but at launch, eFootball felt underwhelming in terms of its offering.

One of the standout features in eFootball is its online component. The game supports real-time multiplayer matches, allowing you to compete against players from around the world. The online experience is solid, with most players reporting stable servers and relatively smooth gameplay. The free-to-play nature of the game means that it has a large player base, and there is always someone online for a quick match. However, some users have reported issues with matchmaking, with the system sometimes pairing players of vastly different skill levels.

Monetization and Microtransactions:

As a free-to-play game, eFootball relies heavily on microtransactions for revenue. Players can purchase eFootball Points (EP), which can be used to unlock new players, kits, and other cosmetic items. There’s also a focus on “eFootball Coins,” which are used for purchasing player cards in the game's eFootball Hub mode, where you can create your dream team.

While the free-to-play model has the potential to attract a large audience, the reliance on microtransactions has raised concerns. Some players feel that the game’s progression system is locked behind a paywall, with the best players and cosmetics often requiring players to spend real money to unlock them quickly. While it’s possible to earn coins through gameplay, the grind to obtain high-level players or rewards can feel slow and tedious, which has drawn comparisons to other sports titles that use similar systems.

For those who are willing to invest money into the game, the microtransactions provide a way to speed up progress and unlock new content, but it does raise questions about whether eFootball’s system is fair and balanced, particularly when it comes to competitive play.

Sound and Commentary:

The sound design in eFootball is competent but doesn’t stand out. The crowd noise, while realistic, can become repetitive after a while. The commentary, provided by well-known sports broadcasters, is decent but lacks the depth and dynamism of other football games. It’s clear that the commentary team is attempting to provide insightful commentary, but the dialogue feels canned and often doesn’t match the action on the field.

The stadium atmosphere, however, is well done, with the sounds of the ball hitting the net, players shouting, and the hum of the crowd contributing to the immersion. Still, there’s room for improvement when it comes to overall audio variety and the quality of the commentary.

Updates and Future Potential:

One of the key selling points of eFootball is its ongoing development. Since its release, Konami has been updating the game with patches, bug fixes, and new content. These updates have addressed some of the early issues with gameplay, stability, and features. Konami has also promised to add new modes, including a more detailed version of Master League and additional online features.

While the game is clearly a work in progress, the continuous updates show promise for the future. If Konami continues to improve the game and expand its content offerings, eFootball has the potential to become a major contender in the football gaming scene once again.

Conclusion:

eFootball is a game that shows potential, but it’s clear that it has a long way to go to reach the level of quality expected from a football simulation. While the gameplay, visuals, and online modes are solid, the lack of content at launch, combined with issues surrounding microtransactions and the unfinished feel of the game, leaves it feeling incomplete.

The free-to-play model is a great way to attract new players, but the heavy reliance on in-game purchases can alienate those who are unwilling to spend money. The game's core mechanics and ongoing updates give hope for a brighter future, but at launch, eFootball has struggled to live up to the legacy of PES.