eFootball 2022

eFootball 2022, marketed as the successor to the PES series, attempts to offer a fresh experience for football fans. However, the reality is that this new formula does not hold up well. The basic gameplay mechanics, including passing, shooting, and dribbling, feel simplified and less engaging compared to previous iterations. Although it incorporates new technologies, such as AI and advanced player movement simulations, the game suffers from significant gameplay imbalance, allowing players to easily dominate their opponents with a single strategy. Moreover, the limited variety of game modes fails to provide new experiences when compared to its competitors. This ultimately results in the game feeling tedious after just a few hours of play.

In terms of graphics, eFootball 2022 shows some improvements on PS5, but these enhancements are not enough to label it a next-gen title. Player models and stadiums do exhibit good detail, but the game is plagued by graphical bugs and low-quality textures in the environment. Additionally, animations appear noticeably choppy and unnatural. Overall, while the game benefits from PS5's technical capabilities, it falls short in harnessing them effectively.

The audio design in eFootball 2022 is noticeably weak. In-game sound effects, such as ball sounds and crowd reactions, come off as monotonous and repetitive. The game's music is also unremarkable and easily forgettable. Overall, the audio experience does not align with the expectations of a major sports title.

eFootball 2022 strikingly lacks any narrative depth and focuses primarily on online and competitive experiences. There is no story mode to engage players, nor is there any background for characters and teams. This absence of narrative detracts from the overall appeal of the game.

The controls are generally acceptable, but they feel rudimentary largely due to the lack of variety in moves and strategies. The responsiveness of the controls is good in most situations, but there are instances, particularly during shooting or passing, where their performance can be disappointing.

Compared to its main rival, FIFA, eFootball 2022 clearly falls short. FIFA offers a more complete and engaging experience with a wealth of content and game modes. The graphics and animations in FIFA are also significantly better than those in eFootball 2022, which lacks innovative elements that could differentiate it from other titles.

eFootball 2022, despite its intent to provide a fresh experience in the football genre, has failed in many aspects. From gameplay and graphics to audio design, this game is in dire need of improvements. As a football and sports game enthusiast, I recommend considering other options like FIFA before making a purchase. Ultimately, eFootball 2022 should be viewed as a missed opportunity that demonstrates that new efforts do not always yield the desired outcomes.