![]() I enjoyed my hands on with the game, for sure, but it doesn’t feel done right now. I’m not sure that launching with so few features, teams, and just saying “it’s a sim now!” is enough. The trouble is, with so many issues from the PES-era (and it feels weird to be saying that), the discussion around the launch for eFootball 2022 being more of a demo, does feel like a relevant one. Yes, the name is different, but based on my first two hours with this one, I finally at least understand why they’ve changed the name. The pace and physicality feel so different, and that’s what’s so interesting about eFootball this year. But I think this is mostly because I’ve never felt so alien playing a football game before. ![]() Playing against the AI was fine for the most part, and offered a decent challenge. I deliberately tried to bait players, while also purposefully being over-exuberant in the tackle, but the refs seem good so far, though a little lenient sometimes, perhaps. The tricks are now more in line with the competition now, and while not as easy to pull off, it sort of makes sense given the simulation nature. The one-on-one battles are hugely emphasised thanks to the slower movement, and those big strong defenders do stand out, able to put their arm out and bat weaker players away like flies. Goals are hard earned, and it’s a more defensive experience than ever this time. The default mode is far too automatic, resulting in passes going to players you didn’t intend them to.ĮFootball also seems like a game where you won’t win games 10-0 all the time. Changing the options to a more manual feel meant that these teams required a little more work to score with, which I liked. Juventus and Bayern Munich felt the best, though bizarrely the lower quality teams like River Place and Corinthians made for an interesting matchup, too. The slower nature of the game meant I didn’t enjoy their usual possession style, but a style-change made them better. Even changing Barcelona to an “on-the-break” team made them more enjoyable to me. The tactical options do make a noticeable difference on the pitch, though. Changing tactics didn’t alleviate the problems, so it seems a core AI issue, not a tactical one. ![]() For eFootball to compete at all this year, the gameplay has to be exceptional, and there were a few moments where I wanted my AI teammates to pick the ball up and they just let it pass them by. There are also a number of AI issues that I was informed would be fixed and they really must be. These issues, I’m told, are due to it being an older build. In fact, there feels a real lack of pace overall, with even the quicker players just, well… not seeming very quick. Harry Maguire, Giorgio Chiellini, and Gerard Piqué are tanks, strong and almost impossible to tackle, and it’s fine if they are cumbersome to actually move with, but hardly any of the players can turn quickly. On top of that, players feel either too animated, or not animated enough. I even accidentally elbowed someone in the face trying to get ahead of them defending a break, such is the vigor and ferocity of the physical nature present here. L2 allows you to grab a shirt, or “get physical” with your opponent during a one-on-one, and it feels like something entirely new to learn. eFootball 2022 is slower, for sure, but I don’t think I’ve ever played a digital football game that is quite as physical as this one. But before you ask: no, the commentary is no better than usual.īut that simulation aspect is something I can’t stop thinking about. Couple all of that with a new camera that zooms in and out subtly, and it looks great. There are small touches that keep the game flowing as well, making the presentation seem generally better. Aside from some crowd faces that wouldn’t look out of place in the original Quake, the licensed stadiums and players look superb. Regardless, work has been done to make this game look exceptional. Let’s not beat around the bush here, either: this game is free-to-play, launches with 9 teams (all of which I’ve seen in action now), and there’s no gameplay good enough that is going to make that feel like enough, free or not.
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