A free cross-platform soccer simulator
eFootball 2022 is a free sports game showcasing the most popular sport in the world, soccer. Realistically rendered, strategically angled, and lovingly conceptualized, PES Productions and KONAMI are at the top of their game with this latest chapter of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). Featuring all-new systems and balancing tweaks, building your ultimate team, and leading them to victory has never been so much fun.
Similar to its main rival, FIFA 22, eFootball 2022 features a spectrum of gameplay aspects that range from team selection to customization, to the most crucial part of all – playing the game. From intense one-on-one duels to huge stadiums filled with cheering crowds, eFootball 2022 captures the virtual soccer experience exceptionally well. The game can be played on Windows with a Steam account, Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, or on iOS or Android mobile devices.
The next chapter in the PES franchise
Graphically speaking, eFootball 2022 has come furthest when it comes to player animations and facial expressions. The soccer simulator plays smoother than ever before, but it’s the little things like jaw structure, limb movement, and overall gesticulations that really breathe life into each player. To feel the uniqueness of each member of your dream team goes a long way in keeping you invested in their success.
To create an experience that feels like a worthy overhaul from PES 2021, KONAMI and PES Productions had to start from the ground up with an entirely new game Unreal Engine, revamped animations, and improved game controls. Players will now have more pinpoint control of their player’s movements, and the camera now strikes a better balance between the intensity of a play and the more strategic view of the pitch.
For fans of multiplayer video games, one of the foremost selling points for eFootball 2022 is its cross-platform support. Now PC, mobile, and console players can go head-to-head against each other regardless of which platform they’re playing the game from. The caveat to this is, however, that a fast internet connection will still play a crucial role in how smoothly a cross-platform match runs.
Regardless of whether you’re playing online or in single-player, you can pick from nine authentic teams: Manchester United, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern München, São Paulo, Arsenal, Juventus, River Plate, and Flamengo. Choose which you want to play as, and then set your preference for the rival team, whether it’s controlled by AI or by a human opponent. With the eFootball World, you can also set the roster for a team of your own unique composition.
Creative team
Creative Team lets you sign and develop players of your choice, gearing them up and practicing with them until you’re ready to test your hand and face off against rivals from all across the globe. You sign players and managers that best synergize with your chosen formation and tactics.
This added layer of customization is one of the most enjoyable, as it encourages a more angled strategy when planning long-term success. Just like in the actual soccer sports game, the right manager can make all the difference and plays a critical role when it comes to targeting your most coveted signings.
eFootball 2022 vs FIFA 22
FIFA 22 has long been the staunchest competitor when it comes to virtual soccer games, and the differences between the two are largely subjective. Both titles have the same core elements, but depending on what you’re looking for you will likely have a preference. EA’s FIFA 22, for example, has a faster pace that keeps matches more intense. Its referees also tend to make more logical calls.
The slower pace of eFootball 2022 can sometimes work to its credit, however. It’s harder to distinguish different match phases in FIFA 22, and it often feels like you’re bouncing back and forth between areas with no room for a study phase. Its lack of moments between matches where players are winded or regrouping also serves to cheapen the experience and break immersion.
Lead your team to victory on the pitch
The new features of eFootball 2022 are its biggest selling point, as they make the game feel like an overall improvement from PES 2021. Both the gameplay and business model have adapted to encourage more player flexibility, and that’s always a good thing for replayability. It’s hard to find bigger soccer fans than PES Productions, and this time around the development team went beyond the borders of the PES series and launched the game into a brave new realm of virtual soccer.
