With PES 2021 winding down for the year, we're starting to look towards the next big thing - PES 2022!
So, check out our wishlist for PES 2022 here.
Improved AI
Gameplay will no doubt be looked at due to the new game engine, but being more specific - AI for CPU controlled players needs to be looked at.
Defenders are often guilty of terrible decision making when not being controlled, drifting out of position irrationally or having the ball bounce off them.
Referring AI will also be under the microscope. There are possible more question marks over PES fouls than there are over VAR!
Often the smallest touches are given as fouls, which can infuriate players.
Introducing more scenarios for different types of referees could be another level of depth.
Licences
We all know that licences play a huge role in the image and experience of a football game.
It's how FIFA got its advantage, but PES has steadily clawed this back in recent years.
In partnering with some of the biggest clubs in Europe (Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester United), Konami has shown their intent.
Most recently Konami signed an exclusive deal with Italian club Atalanta.
Konami needs to keep battling, fans want more leagues and more teams - especially in the Premier League.
Master League Improvement
The Master League is the backbone of PES, but over time it becomes obsolete and suffers from a lack of ingenuity and creativity.
Everything from youth academy to first-team players should be considered.
Once upon a time, the Master League was the benchmark for foot career mode, but sadly, due to the lack of resources invested by Konami, the Master League remains behind FIFA's career mode.
Presentation Overhaul
This is the one area that FIFA has consistently beaten PES.
It's also one of the easiest areas for Konami to invest in fixing. The screens and menus are very shallow.
This could be deliberate to keep them simple, but it often leaves players to feel like there's less depth.
Making the menus more engaging, adding more depth to the commentary and adding pre and post-match reports would go a long way to fixing this.
Next-Gen Power
Graphically, FIFA 21 on next-generation consoles was a big step up from previous gen.
The textures look sharper, the player’s face is much more detailed, and the lighting is improved.
We can surely expect the same from PES 2022 on next-gen.
Konami must improve the detailed graphics or they will fall behind EA Sport's FIFA.
Nothing is offensive like the glory of a random generic PES player during a zoomed-in replay.
Improved Servers
There is a huge difference between the online and offline experience on PES.
Delays in button responses can ruin an online experience very quickly, and defensive control is a particularly sore point for PES 2021.
This is less about the game itself, but the infrastructure supporting it.
If Konami can get it right, it can be another thing PES can point to in its quest to beat FIFA.
Gameplay On New Engine
PES has always been the place where the 'true' football fans go.
The ones who love the beautiful game and see FIFA as unrealistic and arcade.
The commitment to this needs to continue and evolve a little further, especially when defending and mentioned with improved AI.
A new engine is always a risk, but the Gameplay should be the focus above all else.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
eFootball