Pro Evolution Soccer” becomes the free-to-play service game “eFootball”: As if this concept change wasn’t hard enough for die-hard “PES” fans, “eFootball 2022” advanced to one of the biggest video game disasters of the past decades at launch: poorly playable, ugly and afflicted with countless bugs, “eFootball 2022” quickly became a meme and a mega-flop.

But Konami promised improvement – with the 1.0.0 update. This has been available since April 14, 2022, and on April 21 the game started its first – Season and also launched the in-game store. Is “eFootball 2022” now finally a free alternative to “FIFA 22”?

Missing options and teams

In the so-called “eFootball World” you can currently find two basic game types: “Authentic” and the Dreamteam. In “Authentic” there is on the one hand the possibility to play friendly matches against the computer. However, there are still only nine teams available, such as FC Bayern or Manchester United, so that boredom quickly sets in during the trial game.

It’s a shame that some of the gameplay options, such as choosing the level of play, are not yet available. For example, we can currently only choose between “Advanced” or “Superstar”. Even the game length is currently still limited to five minutes.

The challenge events, which have been accessible for a short time, bring a little variety into the game. Here you compete in PvP matches with a previously selected team – for example from the Spanish league or the J-League. The rewards are GP coins and EP training programs, which you need to level up your players. This at least lets you enjoy other teams.

You’ll look in vain for other types of games, such as the champions league or cup and league competitions for offline play. Konami wants you to play online and compete with the competition.

Dreamteam mode: Bring on the cash!

However, the Dreamteam mode is clearly the center of attention. This is strikingly reminiscent of “FIFA Ultimate Team”, but with far less depth and a much more boring presentation.

“eFootball 2022” offers three currencies for signing new players and coaches: GP coins are the most common reward you use on the “Normal Roster”. There are no transfer negotiations. And be kickers like Robert Lewandowski or Lionel Messi have a fixed price and accordingly you have to earn the 1,200,000 GP coins for “Lewa” first. The purchase of a new trainer, which mainly affects the playing style – the equivalent of team chemistry from “FIFA” – is similar.

On the “Special Player List” you can currently find “Magic Moment Stars”, which you buy with golden “eFootball” coins. The random generator decides which kickers are drawn from the pools. You can also buy “eFootball” coins for real money. 100 coins correspond to 99 cents. A new, random player currently costs around one euro. In addition, there are “Players of the Month” players that you can buy with list contracts in five levels, which you can obtain by playing regularly.

Shortly after launch, “eFootball 2022” is still showering you with in-game currencies. If you get in now and secure all the rewards, you can put together a powerful team. Nevertheless, if you want the big stars, you’ll have to grind!

Dreamteam mode: Beautiful is different.

The biggest problem with Dreamteam mode: the gameplay is extremely cluttered and anything but beautifully presented. In the strategy and tactics screen, we have to click awkwardly through several pages at once to change players.

The player progression system is even more complicated. In the menu item “Level Training” we convert earned training programs into experience points, which we invest in the separate menu “Player Development” either in the actual characteristics or in the playing style of the kickers. This two-pronged decision option is a nice idea, but the implementation is enormously cumbersome.

Players receive experience points after matches – depending on their performance and whether they were in the starting eleven or were substituted. Level ups give you points. However, there is no indication in the player overview which kickers have upgrade points left. Accordingly, we have to laboriously click through the entire squad. There are also no automation options, for example to upgrade reserve players directly.

In terms of game types, the mode has been conservative so far with challenge events and the “eFootball” league. Here you fight your way through the ranks and get rewards. The catch: If you invest money, it’s easier to get the strongest players.

How does “eFootball 2022” play after the 1.0.0 update?

Worse than the limited scope of the game was the downright neutered gameplay of “eFootball 2022” at launch. The good news: After the 1.0.0 update, the kick is clearly better – but is still not on the level of earlier times.

First of all, the enormously sluggish game speed in the default settings is annoying. As a result, the dynamics of dribblings, passes and shots are noticeably lost. In any case, Konami urgently needs to improve the passing game: players too seldom go straight for the ball, let it through unplanned or stumble it – this quickly results in a festival of misplaced passes and ball losses. The tackling system still lacks physicality and the referees lack tact. They either don’t whistle for obvious fouls or cheerfully hand out yellow cards for the slightest touch.

Strikers and wingers offer themselves for passes into the depths, but break off the runs all too quickly or do not approach the ball correctly. The fast attacking soccer of earlier days is unfortunately only to be seen in tempo counter-attacks. Too many inconsistencies disrupt the flow of the game time and again.

When the game is running, however, “eFootball 2022” can create nice moments and chances. However, these require skill and also a fair amount of overview. Overall, it looks a lot more like real soccer compared to the launch version. For a free-to-play game, however, the virtual kick lacks this initial spark that directly motivates to continue playing.

In terms of technology, there is still light and shade after the 1.0.0 update: We were unable to discover a “Ronaldo gate” like at the launch. The action on the pitch is quite respectable and the faces of the big stars also fit. The spectators, however, are quite different, as they sometimes wave their hands like a horde of the undead in the stands.