eFootball 2022 is almost here - and we are more intrigued than excited for how the game will perform at release.
With the game being free, it is likely to capture more players than ever before - and could help win some over some Xbox players.
Latest - Release week and pre-order info
You just have a few days to wait until eFootball 2022 arrives, and for die-hard PES fans, you can calim a pre-order bundle for the game.
Despite eFootball being a free-to-play game, the pre-order bundle gives you loads of extras for online modes.
For around £30 you receive the Premium Player Pack which includes:
- Two extra Chance Deals (eight rather than six)
- 2,800 eFootball coins (in-game currency)
It's also worth noting that the pre-order screen on the PS Store states this is available from 11 November, suggesting that the game will take the best part of six weeks to get up to full speed.
eFootball Release Date
We finally have confirmation of an official release date for eFootball 2022.
We now know that the new game will launch on Thursday, 30 September.
This is just 24 hours before the launch of FIFA 22!
Expect the game to be very basic at launch, with perhaps just an exhibition mode available and a handful of teams.
Updates will be happning throughout the autumn and winter to bring eFootball 2022 up to speed.
Gameplay Trailer
Watch the official eFootball gameplay trailer below.
We've been treated to six minutes of footage, with Unreal Engine allowing so many new features to arrive in eFootball.
Cross-play
Something that main rival FIFA doesn't offer - eFootball will support cross-generation and cross-play.
Cross-generation for Xbox One players against those on Xbox Series X|S will be available from launch, with cross-platform against PlayStation and Steam players arriving later in the autumn, before mobile cross-play arrives in the winter.
Unreal Engine
The exciting addition for PES 2022 is the arrival of Unreal Engine - specifically designed for Next Gen consoles.
We don't know if the engine will be Unreal 4 or 5 however, with UE5 not expected until "late in 2021" - suggesting PES 2022 will be on its predecessor.
As much as UE5 would bring Hollywood level graphics to the video game industry, there is no need for gamers to worry if it doesn't come out just yet.
UE4 still brings in enhanced graphics of "metahumans" which would take the likeness of the players on PES to the next level.
Plus, Unreal Engine 5 will also be rolled out on PS4 and Xbox One - suggesting the new engine won't be the be-all and end-all of top-quality visuals.
We won't really know the difference between PS4/Xbox One and PS5/Xbox Series X capabilities until release.
Option File
This will be the core area for Xbox players - as if Series X offers the use of an Option File then fans would be very excited.
The ability for option files has been confirmed for PS4, PS5 & PC - but unfortunately not for Xbox consoles.
So, unless Konami can secure a load of new licences for PES 2022, it's unlikely Series X owners will be picking up the new game.