Highlights
- eFootball 2024 has made a visual downgrade compared to previous titles, leaving fans disappointed and feeling that the franchise is not reaching its full potential graphically.
- The absence of the Master League in eFootball is a major drawback for fans who enjoy the manager simulation mode, and its reintroduction with new features would greatly improve the game's reputation.
- The focus on online modes has caused many players who prefer offline modes to abandon eFootball, and the lack of licensed club teams and the removal of the Edit Mode have been significant disappointments for fans.
With Konami rebranding its football title from Pro Evolution Soccer to eFootball, it also came with a plethora of changes to many fundamentals, most of which have left fans frustrated. While there are definitely elements that are positive more notably within the realm of its gameplay, a large majority of the content in previous Pro Evolution Soccer titles and eFootball PES 2021Season Update has been cut from the new entry in favor of online modes.
As most players found that the offline modes within these football games provided a compelling and engaging experience, many maintain the hope that Konami will take their football franchise back to its roots and provide a complete experience with future updates.
5 Graphical Overhaul
There is no denying that eFootball 2024 appears to have a visual downgrade in comparison to the likes of the aforementioned eFootball PES 2021 and its competitor EA Sports FC 24, formerly known as FIFA. This is an aspect that has left fans feeling as though the franchise is not being pushed toward its full potential, especially using the Unreal Engine, which has been shown to produce impressive graphical spectacles in other games.
When looking at the official teaser from Konami for Pro Evolution Soccer 2022, which hinted at a next-gen title, with Lionel Messi showcased with graphical fidelity that left fans amazed, the disappointment is clear when looking at what is present in eFootball 2024. Whether this can be implemented within a future update, Konami's attempt to improve graphics would greatly benefit the game's gradual improvement and take the title closer to a next-gen status.
4 Master League
After years of waiting and anticipation for its eventual implementation, eFootball's Master League mode is still yet to make an appearance despite it being a pivotal mode in prior titles. While football game fans still maintain complaints regarding Konami's competitor and the lack of changes to its Career Mode, it remains the best option for most players to turn to, in order to experience a manager simulation mode.
To put football fans back in favor and support of Konami's IP, the reintroduction of the Master League compiled with new and improved features would instantly take the title's mostly negative reputation on platforms such as Steam, up to a positive rating. Given the mod-friendly nature of previous PES titles, Konami's previous Master League entries were arguably its most popular as they gave players much more freedom to adjust their playing experience as opposed to EA's previous FIFA games.
3 Offline Focus
Since Konami's focus on all recent eFootball titles has been primarily on its online modes, most of which are reminiscent of Ultimate Team, players who were only for offline modes have completely abandoned Konami's new titles. With the abundance of mods for previous titles still present for those who own them since they are no longer available for purchase, players and content creators have turned back to them as the one way to keep up with the manager and player mode experiences they have been longing for.
As club teams in leagues such as the Premier League are still missing in eFootball 2024, with only licensed teams present, the freedom that was once present in offline modes is completely omitted. With plans to include these teams later down the line in future updates, it is imperative that developers at Konami implement this as soon as possible, allowing players to use any team of their liking.
2 Edit Mode
Leading with the need for a greater offline focus, another feature that fans feel is heavily missed is the classic Edit Mode. This has been a staple of Konami's football franchise for decades and its removal in recent eFootball titles, including 2024's, has been a shock for many fans.
With most teams being unlicensed, Edit Mode was a crucial aspect of every entry of Pro Evolution Soccer and the early eFootball titles that still had them present, as it gave players the option to import teams, logos, kits, and much more, with the PC modding capability even adding all stadiums around the world in the games. Once Master League makes its return, Edit Mode must also either come with it or be next in line, as this is a mode that will give eFootball's offline modes life and creative freedom.
1 New Commentary Team
Since the release of Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, the commentary team has remained the same between Peter Drury and Jim Beglin with many commentary lines being replicated in each game. This very quickly makes each title's commentary repetitive, with a lack of change in lines or voices breaking immersion entirely. With the likes of Martin Tyler, Gary Neville, and Jamie Carragher free and available, it has shocked fans that there has been a lack of adjustment to commentary for many years.
As it is unlikely that commentary will change for eFootball 2024 in any future update, fans will be hoping that this can be addressed in a future title possibly keeping Peter Drury and Jim Beglin as commentators, while giving players the option of another set of commentators for each game.
eFootball 2024 is now available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and PC.