

Similarly, the receiving player may not trap the ball smoothly, depending on their skill rating and the quality of the pass. That second pass may pop up in the air a bit while the player scrambles to get the pass off before the approaching defender bears down on them. If you want to connect on a quick give-and-go, the second relay pass may not be as precise, depending on the defensive pressure. The passing doesn't feel bad, just more realistic. Then again, the ball shouldn't feel like it's connected to every player on the pitch via invisible string. Initially, I couldn't execute passes that I was so accustomed to being possible. The football in this game feels pure but still fun. Moreover, the precise ping-pong passes that are so easily abused in FIFA aren't present. Those fed up with the wonky physics and contortion-crazed keepers of FIFA may want to consider giving PES a shot.

Fortunately, the club squads and player models are accurate, so there's still some level of realism in the game.ĭespite these gripes, they're easily overlooked once you're in a match because PES feels fantastic to play. Without the recognizable names of clubs, cups and tournaments that I've learned to love, hate and ignore over the years, I felt it difficult to figure out which games mattered, let alone care. Taking up the helm as the manager of "Liverpool R" lacked a particular oomph when I was competing in the "European Club Championship" and "English League" games. Beyond a handful of the biggest clubs (Arsenal, Barcelona, Juventus, etc.), you'll face mock teams that hardly replicate their real-life counterparts. Whereas EA has the money and partnerships to include nearly every major league and team across the world, Konami doesn't quite have the finances to match.
#EFOOTBALL PES 2020 PC CONTROLS SERIES#
The one thing that sets apart the two series are the licensing agreements.

At a lower price point of $40, PES 2021 is a surprisingly satisfactory alternative.įor those unfamiliar with the series, PES is just as much of a football simulator as FIFA is, and it may even surpass FIFA in many ways. With an opportunity to finally give the series its fair due, I laced up the cleats and took a crack at eFootball PES 2021.
#EFOOTBALL PES 2020 PC CONTROLS PRO#
Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series sits in EA's looming shadow, hoping to steal away a few footie fans from time to time. With a stranglehold on nearly every sport other than basketball, Electric Arts always felt like the answer for any sports game. For years, I fell in the " FIFA is best" camp.
