The long-awaited eFootball 2022 Version 1.0.0 has finally arrived and it is the update that, Konami hopes, will slowly start to drive fans back to the game and potentially even rival FIFA 23.
Konami has also introduced us to the first of what will be many eFootball seasons, having just announced the upcoming arrival of 'Season 1'.
Latest - Magic Moment Stars
A new batch of special cards has come to eFootball, designed to help you dominate the game using the new "Stunning Kicks" mechanic.
The focus for this release is passing, with 10 of the best playmakers made available to show off their sharp long and short passes.
The featured players have different stats compared to their Standard counterparts, but you can still develop them to mould them into a style that suits you.
The players included are:
- Manuel Locatelli (88 OVR)
- Frenkie de Jong (90 OVR)
- Edin Visca (85 OVR)
- Otavio (85 OVR)
- Dimitri Payet (86 OVR)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (88 OVR)
- Bruno Fernandes (90 OVR)
- Florian Wirtz (87 OVR)
- Dusan Tadic (87 OVR)
- Thomas Muller (89 OVR)
Season 1 start date
Seasons are a new element that brings football's real-world themes to eFootball 2022.
Seasons will include challenges for players each week so that you test your abilities.
Season 1 is set to start on Thursday, 21 April 2022.
eFootball Seasons explained
A "Season", which will run for a limited period, will have a theme for the events users can play in using their Dream Team.
Each Season's theme will be based around current topics in the real footballing world, bringing with it a wide variety of events to take part in.
There are Challenge Events for users to play against other users, or Tour Events for users to go up against the AI.
Signing players and assembling a team that matches the Season's theme can give users an advantage in these events.
Dream Team
This is a brand-new game mode where users can build their own original team linked with “Season” by signing players and managers by making use of in-game items (e.g. GP that users can acquire by playing different in-game matches) and compete against other users from around the world.
In "Dream Team", users can handpick and sign players and managers that are consistent with their football ideology.
You will be able to develop and strengthen players through a training and levelling system, so that they match with users’ own playstyle.
Organise your team through signing and developing players, finding the Team Playstyle that suits you best and building your own "Dream Team".
Compete against other "Dream Teams" built by other users from around the world, with the option to also play against the CPU in special events to earn rewards.
Recent gameplay changes
The Version 1.0.0 update brought PLENTY of gameplay changes along with it, in both defence and attack.
Overhauled defensive system
There are two key features that contribute most to the gameplay changes coming in Version 1.0.0.
The first is an overhauled defensive system which brings back the ability to press players by holding down a button (X on PlayStation, A on Xbox).
Holding that button brings your player closer to the opponent and then pressing it twice makes you tackle.
This is, in fact, the exact way that PES used to do it in recent years, which should be music to the fanbase's ears.
A new shoulder challenge move has also been introduced, giving extra options to gain possession and hence making defending easier.
Stunning Kicks
The other main addition is on the offensive side of things, with the introduction of a new ‘Stunning Kicks’ control.
Players can now pull off a Stunning Kick by pressing R2 / RT at exactly the same time as they press a kick button.
This turns the power meter blue and modifies the kick to make it more effective, but comes at a cost in that it takes the player much longer to wind up and release the ball.
All four main kick buttons have a Stunning variant including the pass, through ball and cross.
The Stunning Shot is the one to look out for though, as if pulled off correctly, the shot will carry significantly more power and accuracy.