eFootball 2024: A Review 

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eFootball 2024, the free-to-play successor to Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), arrived in 2023 with ambitious promises of a revamped engine and a shift towards a service-based model. 

Now, a year later, let’s delve into a comprehensive review of eFootball 2024, analyzing its strengths, weaknesses, and potential future.

A New Engine: Promise and Pitfalls 

The core of eFootball 2024 lies in its new engine, Unreal Engine 4. This promised significant improvements in graphics, player animations, and overall gameplay.

Strengths:

Visual Enhancements: The game boasts improved visuals compared to PES. Player models are more detailed, stadiums capture the atmosphere of real-world counterparts, and lighting effects are more dynamic.

Enhanced Physics: The new engine delivers more realistic ball physics, with better weight and bounce affecting how the ball moves through the air and interacts with players.

Weaknesses:

Animation Inconsistencies: Despite improvements, animations can still feel jerky and lack fluidity, particularly during player collisions and complex maneuvers.

AI Quirks: While AI behavior has improved, there are still instances of erratic runs and questionable defensive positioning, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.

The Verdict on the Engine:

The new engine offers a solid foundation for future development. The visual upgrade is noticeable, and the potential for realistic physics is there. However, continued work is needed to smooth out animation issues and refine AI behavior.

Gameplay: Taking the Field

Gameplay is the heart of any football game. Here’s how eFootball 2024 performs on the virtual pitch:

Strengths:

Moment-to-Moment Excitement: The game offers thrilling action, with fast-paced dribbling, well-timed tackles, and satisfying long-range goals providing a rush of adrenaline.

Tactical Depth: Tactical settings allow players to customize their approach, from high-pressing formations to possession-based play.

Improved Passing and Receiving: The passing and receiving system has seen a noticeable improvement in accuracy and weight, leading to more realistic build-up play.

Weaknesses:

Lack of Refinement: While exciting, gameplay can feel a bit rough around the edges. Ball control can be inconsistent, and there’s a lack of responsiveness in certain situations.

Defensive Challenges: Defensive AI issues sometimes lead to frustrating situations where players get caught out of position.

Limited Online Modes: Compared to competitors, eFootball 2024’s online offerings are currently limited, focusing primarily on ranked matches and friendly games.

The Verdict on Gameplay:

eFootball 2024 offers exciting moments and tactical depth. However, a lack of polish, defensive struggles, and limited online modes hold it back from reaching its full potential.

The “Free-to-Play” Model: A Double-Edged Sword

eFootball 2024’s shift to a free-to-play model presents both advantages and disadvantages:

Strengths:

Accessibility: The free-to-play model allows anyone to download and play the game, potentially attracting a wider audience to the sport.

Microtransactions: While optional, microtransactions offer a way for players to acquire exclusive items like player kits or in-game currency for special packs.

Weaknesses:

Pay-to-Win Concerns: The reliance on microtransactions raises concerns about a potential “pay-to-win” situation where players who spend more gain a significant advantage in online matches.

Limited Content at Launch: Compared to previous iterations of PES, eFootball 2024 launched with a bare-bones offering of teams, leagues, and modes. The reliance on post-launch updates to fill the content gap can be frustrating.

The Verdict on the Free-to-Play Model:

The free-to-play model makes eFootball 2024 accessible, but concerns about pay-to-win elements and limited content at launch need to be addressed.

The Future of eFootball 2024 

With its first year complete, what does the future hold for eFootball 2024?

Content Updates: Continued expansions of playable teams, leagues, and game modes are crucial to keep players engaged.

Addressing Gameplay Issues: Ongoing improvement in animation, AI behavior, and overall game balance is essential for a more polished experience.

Expanding Online Offerings: Implementing online tournaments, co-op modes, and a more robust matchmaking system would enrich the online experience.

FAQs

Are there any problems with the gameplay?

While exciting, gameplay can feel a bit rough around the edges. Ball control can be inconsistent, responsiveness can be lacking at times, and defensive AI issues can lead to frustrating situations.

Is eFootball 2024 free-to-play?

Yes, eFootball 2024 is free-to-play, making it accessible to a wider audience. However, microtransactions exist for acquiring exclusive items or in-game currency for special packs.

Does the free-to-play model mean “pay-to-win”?

There are concerns that players who spend more money on microtransactions might gain a significant advantage online. This “pay-to-win” element is a point of discussion for the game.

Does eFootball 2024 have a lot of content at launch?

Compared to previous PES iterations, eFootball 2024 launched with a limited selection of teams, leagues, and game modes. The developers are releasing post-launch updates to fill the content gap, but it can be frustrating for players who want more variety initially.

What are the online modes available in eFootball 2024?

Currently, online offerings are limited, focusing primarily on ranked matches and friendly games. Compared to competitors, eFootball 2024 could benefit from expanding its online features.

What’s the future outlook for eFootball 2024?

The future hinges on addressing key issues. Continued content updates, improvements in gameplay polish and balance, and expanding online features like tournaments and co-op modes are crucial for long-term success.

Should I try eFootball 2024?

If you’re looking for a free, exciting football game with tactical depth, eFootball 2024 is worth a try. However, be aware of the potential limitations in gameplay polish, content at launch, and the evolving nature of the free-to-play model.

eFootball 2024 offers a glimpse into the future of football video games, with its free-to-play model and powerful new engine. While the core gameplay delivers exciting moments and tactical depth, it’s currently held back by a lack of polish, defensive AI issues, and limited online features at launch. 

The free-to-play model provides accessibility, but concerns about potential “pay-to-win” elements and reliance on post-launch updates for content need to be addressed. 

Ultimately, eFootball 2024’s success hinges on the developer’s ability to address these issues and continue adding content, refining gameplay mechanics, and expanding online experiences. 

If you’re a football fan looking for a free and exciting game to try, eFootball 2024 is worth a shot. Just keep in mind that it’s still evolving, and the long-term experience will depend on the developer’s commitment to ongoing improvement.

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