eFootball PES 2021 SEASON UPDATE

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eFootball PES 2021 Season Update offers improved player models and revamped menus, providing a more immersive soccer experience. This edition focuses on updating player data from the previous version, rather than introducing significant new features. As a result, it's best suited for dedicated series fans eager to stay current with the latest player stats and rosters.

Genres & Tags

Sport

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,653 reviews

gameplay173 positive mentions

optimization9 negative mentions

gameplay
511 mentions
34 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of PES 2021 is generally praised for its realism and depth, often considered superior to FIFA in terms of mechanics and ball physics. While many players find it addictive and immersive, some criticize the game for its slow pace, scripting issues, and inconsistent AI behavior, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game remains a favorite among hardcore fans, especially when enhanced with mods for improved graphics and gameplay.
- “The gameplay is still holds up well years later and remains as the best modern sim-type football game on the market.”
- “Efootball PES 2021 season update delivers an enjoyable football gaming experience with updated rosters and improved gameplay mechanics.”
- “Gameplay is realistic to me (but it has its own quirks).”
- “The gameplay is absolutely slow, the touch from the player is inconsistent.”
- “The gameplay is robotic and so slow-paced it's mind-numbing how long it takes them to get to the ball, how long it takes them to pass, etc. Most of all, the AI and pass support is abysmal.”
- “The gameplay is a complete joke and infuriatingly bad.”
graphics
189 mentions
52 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning quality, with many users highlighting them as superior to competitors like FIFA. Players appreciate the realistic animations, detailed environments, and overall visual fidelity, although some note that certain aspects, such as menu graphics and player likenesses, could use improvement. While the graphics are generally well-regarded, there are mixed opinions on performance, with some experiencing lag even on high-end systems.
- “The graphics look next-gen with fog mods and an extremely realistic pitch which completely transform the look of the game.”
- “Honestly, the graphics are much better than FIFA, the stadiums look awesome and the lighting is spot on.”
- “Pes has amazing graphics and looks absolutely stunning.”
- “Only downside is menu graphics are still a bit poor.”
- “The only thing I liked about this PES 2021 was the Euro event; the rest, like the graphics and mechanics, is a complete disaster.”
- “Graphics are horrible; online is clearly pay-to-play with 'player status' or online is day 1 players and it gets you nowhere. EA Sports is not far off; at least their online play is semi-fair.”
optimization
21 mentions
14 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as constant stuttering, lag, and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay with decent graphics, the overall consensus highlights a need for substantial improvements to address the frequent performance drops and enhance the gaming experience.
- “A well optimized game, running smoothly on my low-end PC with awesome graphics and gameplay. Best modern-day football game for PC, in my opinion.”
- “Great game and runs smoothly.”
- “Game runs smoothly during gameplay in 60fps on a far from top PC (i-3 4160, r9 270, 8GB RAM DDR3) on medium settings.”
- “The game simply does not have good performance.”
- “Heavy screen stuttering, a graphic glitch.”
- “Optimization is painfully bad (eating CPU like hell).”
music
20 mentions
20 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its artful integration and dark comedic tone, while others find the soundtrack lacking in both quantity and quality. Many players express a preference for their own music over the game's offerings, noting that the soundtrack is generally considered mediocre compared to competitors like FIFA. Overall, while the sound effects are appreciated, the soundtrack fails to impress a significant portion of the audience.
- “While I found its pace tedious at times and would have preferred more focus on the grave-tending mechanics, more patient players will find a lot to like in its wealth of well-developed diversions, fantastic art and music, and pitch-black comedic aesthetic.”
- “Like in real life, the soundtracks are perfect.”
- “Great music as always and perfect menu system and controls.”
- “The soundtrack is just not enough in both quantity and quality.”
- “Proper PES fans will already understand that this isn't the game for those looking for flashy menus, expansive soundtracks, life-like commentary, and stadium audio.”
- “FIFA games have always had better soundtracks.”
humor
18 mentions
94 % positive mentions
-11 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the fouls and AI behavior to be unintentionally hilarious, often leading to frustrating moments. While some appreciate the comedic aspects of gameplay, such as absurd player interactions and market values, others feel that the humor has diminished over the years, with the game becoming less funny and more frustrating. Overall, the humor can provide some entertainment, but it is often overshadowed by gameplay issues.
- “Your fouls on the other hand are hilarious to the point of frustration.”
- “The fouls given are hilarious.”
- “Ai often hilariously takes the ball under your player's foot as the shoot animation takes place and if your foot touches theirs during the shooting animation it is an immediate foul in favor of the ai.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced throughout the game.”
- “I expected a lot more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
- “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall experience.”
story
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the story aspect of the game, with many users stating that it lacks a meaningful narrative or emotional engagement. Some players find the gameplay enjoyable, likening it to a "football storyteller" experience, while others express a desire for more control over the story elements or the option to skip them entirely. Overall, the consensus leans towards the game being more focused on gameplay than on delivering a compelling story.
- “🔲 epic story”
- “🔲 understanding Dark Souls' story”
- “This is what I like, good graphics and nice gameplay along with an amazing master league story.”
- “The story and cut-scenes are useless and emotionless.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “It's more like 'football storyteller' where most of the stuff on the pitch is decided for you.”
stability
14 mentions
21 % positive mentions
-14 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent online glitches, lag, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience issues with AI behavior, referee decisions, and connection problems, leading to a frustrating experience, especially in competitive matches. While some praise the game's graphics and overall quality, the persistent bugs and server issues overshadow these positives, making it feel unplayable for many.
- “The game runs smoothly on PC, providing a more realistic experience than FIFA and feels more rewarding.”
- “I've experienced minimal bugs and crashes, making my gameplay consistently enjoyable.”
- “The stability of the game allows for seamless online play, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “This shit is unplayable, give the laggers 10 times 1 latency bar = goodbye you lost.... there are games in which this happens after like 5 syncs and you win because of poor connection of the opponent.... then you play 90 minutes which feel like 180 because of the constant freezes and syncs... and guess who benefits from it?”
- “The worst 2 games Konami made PES 2020 and PES 2021... sometimes in the middle of a match the game freezes... especially when I'm attacking... cheaters are too much... laggers... button delay 1 second late unable to pass sometimes especially when I'm playing with South or North American countries... I'm a PES guy since 2000 but no doubt Konami football games are the worst server for any online games.”
- “This game frequently crashes for no reason and is very buggy.”
grinding
8 mentions
13 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
63 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in games can be tedious, with some players feeling it detracts from the overall experience, while others appreciate the depth and variety it offers. In sports games like FIFA 21, players note that upgrading teams often requires significant time investment or purchasing packs, leading to a mixed reception regarding the balance between enjoyment and grind. Overall, while some find the grind rewarding, others see it as a barrier to creativity and fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It is indeed a proper football game, the players are matched with their skill in real life. The only problem is that for people who want to play MyClub, you can only upgrade your team either by farming for long periods of time or just buying packs of players. Also, for the co-op feature, I wish I could play with normal teams with my buddy instead of having to use the custom-made team in MyClub, which always results in imbalance.”
- “My players are super error-prone; it just feels like a tedious task playing as I cannot be creative in scoring. I have to clinically plan out my attack as most often than not the CPU will catch you.”
- “Updates often, fun events, a bit grindy, but the competition is FIFA, so it is what it is.”
monetization
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, with many users feeling that it prioritizes microtransactions and loot boxes over meaningful gameplay improvements. While some consider it less exploitative than competitors, the overall sentiment is that the focus on profit undermines the game's quality and development.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items through microtransactions, which don't affect gameplay balance.”
- “The loot box system adds an element of excitement without being overly aggressive in pushing players to spend.”
- “MyClub is a plague, a cash grab, and since it's making them money, it's the only thing they actually develop.”
- “Lazy, uninspired cash grab.”
- “Lootbox style microtransactions.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Graveyard Keeper" is noted for its bold, cynical tone, diverging from the typical friendly vibe of life sims, while some players criticize other games for having a weak or nearly nonexistent atmosphere, particularly in terms of crowd engagement and commentary. Overall, there is a clear divide between those who appreciate the unique atmosphere and those who find it lacking or frustrating.
- “Graveyard Keeper makes a lot of bold choices, replacing the friendly, relaxing atmosphere of typical life sims with a more goal-directed structure in a more cynical setting.”
- “Glitchy, buggy, boring, same old game with stupid referee and very limited licenses; the atmosphere is almost nonexistent.”
- “Stadium/crowd atmosphere is weak.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of frustration and nostalgia regarding the emotional aspect of the game, highlighting a loss of excitement and connection to their teams. Many feel that recent changes have diminished the emotional engagement, particularly in multiplayer modes where they face overwhelming competition. Overall, there is a strong desire for improvements to restore the game's former emotional depth and enjoyment.
- “Great work with the game, but it's not always technical; sometimes it's emotional. The only thing I, and every other Indian player, need from this game is our team and our players.”
- “I only play Master League, and the game has lost that feeling of excitement. Konami has managed to ruin the best football game. I am not touching it again until they fix the AI by simply changing it back to what it used to be a few years ago.”
replayability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the game offers significant replayability, with some considering it to be among the best in its genre. However, there are concerns that subsequent releases have diminished its appeal compared to competitors like FIFA. Overall, it is regarded as infinitely replayable.
- “It was the best during its time and still has great replayability.”
- “Infinitely replayable.”