eFootball PES 2020

It may sport a new name, but still carries too many burdens of the past. The experience can be great, the build-up is pleasantly tactical. But there is way too much wasted potential.

Konami closes off the current generation with the best entry that we have seen so far. eFootball PES 2020 possesses, undoubtetly, the most realistic gameplay ever for a football game. Unfortunately, the game still lacks the same thing as the previous entries: its game modes do not have enough depth.

Many issues that we already had with previous entries in the PES series remain unpolished, but nevertheless the 2020 version has greatly evolved in many aspects, and it is safe to say that PES 2020 is the best football game from Konami in the last 10 years.

The 2020 edition is the most realistic virtual football I have ever encountered. After learning the gameplay’s basics you get a lot of fun and each passing hour makes it even better. Shame that after finishing the career, checking out the multiplayer and playing a few exhibition matches there is nothing left to do here. [12/2019, p.64]

For the PES franchise, it continues to feel like two steps forward and three back. The gameplay is undoubtedly the best in any football game to-date once you get to grips with it, but in a world where gamers crave fresh content, it’s sadly lagging the competition. I get why Konami focuses on gameplay, but it does seem to be causing some tunnel vision, and the longer the other elements are ignored, the longer the game will be considered an “also ran”.

eFootball PES 2020 is a near-perfect football sim that deserves your attention.

PES 2020 is a gorgeous, curling free-kick from the legendary boot of David Beckham that just misses the top right corner as time expires.

eFootball PES 2020 provides a smooth gameplay and a gorgeous presentation. Online and offline modes are not the best in town, but on the pitch this could be the best football experience this year.

Without changing the substance or the soul of the game - a revolution that perhaps will take place next year with the change of engine - eFootball PES 2020 packs a chapter with realistic, reasoned and tactical gameplay at the right point, never forgetting fun in the name of simulative ambitions.

PES 2020’s small details create moments that bring into focus the fine margins that determine the results of many soccer games. When compared to the game’s similarities to last year it seems like minutia, but these are the things that elevate it from previous efforts and make PES 2020 look and feel correct. It’s a better game, even if it’s not evolved in every way.

PES 2020 doesn’t feel like an evolution over 2019. It offers little in terms of new content and gameplay tweaks. Fans of the series will appreciate the Finesse Dribbling, manager interactions, and increased number of licenses, but you’ll find little to excite over what was already available in PES 2019. Despite it all, however, PES 2020 plays a glorious game of football that you won’t want to put down.

eFootball PES 2020 is faithful to what the two previous games have built. On the pitch, it all feels great, but in terms of content and variety, there's still a lot of work to do.

Even though not much have changed since last year's edition, PES 2020 retains all the superb gameplay mechanics and unique sense of football the franchise is known and celebrated for since the mid 90s.

The rhythm changes, in addition to the many curious situations, which brings us the ball physics - all that makes PES again great fun.

eFootball PES 2020 is the result of years of experimenting, making mistakes and refining. Both on and off the field this is a phenomenal football game without fuss. The main wishes for PES 2021 are women's football and a defense that is slightly more reliable.

Without doubts, PES makes a little step further every year, and eFootball PES 2020 is surely on the right track. The Master League feels more interesting since we can now play as a famous coach. How the ball reacts to different situation in the game is far more realistic than its predecessor.

Amazing football freshened by realistic mistakes from players. PES is back in form, even though its old issues are back, especially bland game modes. At least the career mode got significantly better.

Like its predecessors, eFootball PES 2020 continues to do its talking on the pitch, refining and improving on last year's game to present what might be the greatest football game ever made. Sure, it's disappointing that you still can't play as Borussia Dortmund and the majority of the Bundesliga and a few other leagues, and its single-player offering is almost identical to what was included three years ago. But all of this effortlessly drifts to the back of your mind once you step between those white lines and simply start playing the beautiful game.

A few outdated features aside, eFootball PES 2020 marks an exciting new era for the long-running series.

eFootball PES 2020 has gameplay that feels much more realistic, and each game is more about careful approaches than counter attacks. Most of the modes remain relatively unchanged, but the actual game is lots of fun to play as long as you're not having issues with the AI.

There’s no doubt that Konami still focuses on the hardcore fan as it still needs to work on providing a more fun and enticing experience as it has the technological and simulation side down. There’s no doubt that eFootball PES 2020 is the best version of the game this generation, but it’s still geared towards its own community.

PES 2020 is a great soccer simulator, with some great additions to Master League and new dribblings, but we still miss new game modes beyond Matchday and some important licenses and tournaments.

I know it feels like I’ve criticised eFootball PES 2020 a lot, but ugly menus and a slight lack of ambition can be forgiven when the on-field action is this awesome. Thanks to first-class animations, incredible shooting, and brilliant build-up play, PES has arguably never been more enjoyable to play. Presentation and licensing shortcomings rear their ugly heads for another year, but in spite of the overly safe returns of Master League and MyClub, this is a generous footy package. When it comes to class-leading quality on the pitch, PES is still in a league of its own.

PES keeps getting better: a great experience on the pitch, with improved AI and gorgeous animations.

With eFootball in its title, this year’s PES comes with visual enhancements that make it even more realistic, while keeping the exhilarating soccer gameplay intact. The new finesse dribble mechanic allows the player to make slight adjustments with the right analog stick, which feels like you are directly in control. With legendary coaches and derby match scenarios, Master League is now more addictive than ever before.

The most realistic chapter of the saga. It lacks licenses, but its control makes up for it. If you are looking for a pure simulator, Konami's title will satisfy your needs, but if you prefer a more direct and faster style of play, it may not convince you. In addition, if you like to play online, you will enjoy because it's specially designed to compete against other players online but it falls somewhat short in terms of game modes.

Konami once again delivers a beautiful game of football surrounded by some of the ugliest, laziest trappings possible.

eFootball PES 2020 is pure football from start to finish. With a more truthful pace, dribbling and more physical play, PES 2020 looks just a little more realistic than its predecessor.

PES 2019 still offers the best gameplay for soccer fans out there, with awesome physics and great animations. But the game still suffers from a lack of content and a poorly designed UI.

With no much content to grind on, eFootball PES 2020 has a big flaw but its demanding gameplay will satisfy every hardcore soccer fans, looking for a game they can play with other people of their kind.

eFootball PES 2020 remains one of the most realistic soccer games in what is a rhythm of play and situations in the football camp. Although Konami has maintained the playable base of last year, it has implemented a lot of improvements that make it a totally new game.

Despite the clear abandonment it has in some sectors, eFootball PES 2020 is a great football title and one of the best simulators that exist. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a new stage of success for the franchise and if this is the path they will take from now on, we welcome the proposal of Konami and PES Productions with open arms.

eFootball PES 2020 is probably the best soccer simulator. New improvements and addition polish its excellent gameplay, but once again, Konami shows lack of ambition in terms of new modalities and relevant changes in its star modes, like Master League and MyClub.

Yet another triumph on the pitch but the lack of attention to new features within myClub means it feels a bit repetitive.

eFootball PES 2020 marks the complete return of the Pro Evolution Soccer series to its old fashion.

What's in a name? For eFootball PES 2020, it's just words. Even with the new moniker, this year's footballing title offers more of the same - mostly solid gameplay, but lacking any sort of forward momentum in all other areas.

eFootball PES 2020 is Konami’s another big step towards fully ideal football simulation. Even though it still has a lack of licenses of big European leagues, it presents itself as a, so far, the best edition of a long-running franchise that is a must-play for any football fan.

Graphically excellent and superb in the gameplay department, Konami once more manages to give FIFA a run for its money on many fronts. There are some nitpicks though, of which the annoying referees and disappointing AI are the most unwelcome.

The additions to the Master League don't carry much of an impact but the representation of the sport has a more methodical change of pace. The new camera angles make a difference and inclusion of every European nation does dramatically bolster the player and team counts. I'm enjoying this a lot more with the opposition more willing to chase lost causes, misplace passes and generally feel a touch more human. I really, really like how this plays.

In many respects, playing eFootball Pro Evo Soccer 2020 felt like playing an outing from EA several seasons ago. And believe me when I say that this isn’t a dig at all. The overall pacing is slower than FIFA, but it wasn’t that long ago that I preferred this more deliberate style of gameplay. Increasing the focus on ball control and consistently maintaining possession at the team level further drives home this impression. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they’ve certainly made up enough ground to be able to stand toe-to-toe with the competition.

Fantastic improvements on and off the pitch, from licences to new gameplay refinements and a visual upgrade, ensure this year’s PES is the best it’s been for a generation. [Issue#168, p.82]

Sublime physical football with a tactical brain sees PES 2020 bring a successful gameplay refresh, but far more needs to be done about the list of problems that have been left untouched for much of this generation.

eFootball PES 2020 is a delightful footy, with an addicting single-player and maybe the best ball physics ever. It's a shame that the game still hasn't fixed their old maladies (random sloppiness, budget presentation).

eFootball PES 2020 won't convince any FIFA fans over to Konami's side, but it will certainly appease those who are already enthralled with Master League and myClub. There really isn't too much to write home about this year, but when the gameplay is this enjoyable, there's hardly any reason to complain.

eFootball PES 2020 keeps all the merits of the series but lacks any significant breakthroughs. Still, it’s a good sports sim, especially in multiplayer.

When players take to the pitch, no matter what mode they're playing, they're getting the best on-field soccer video game experience in the world at this moment.

When all is said and done, we can only marvel at what Konami is doing with PES, despite being the underdog. The latest eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 is fun and great to play, and that’s always what people truly want.

The best football simulation on the market this generation. It's like everything is about the pitch and what happens inside. There's still a lack of licenses, but if you can get over that, this is the game for you.

You can only review what is in front of you. And currently, PES 2020 seems out of form.

PES 2020 takes one step forward and two steps back in its latest entry as impressive animation and new licensing is overshadow by the same old frustrations.

Konami scored an amazing goal with eFootball PES 2020, improving an already effective gameplay to make it almost perfect. Evolution has only partially involved the game modes, but the result is the best chapter in the series and a divine football simulation.

It’s undoubtedly the definitive football sim of 2020. PES 2020 takes what you love about the series and makes it more satisfying and fun, without sacrificing its simulation pedigree. The lack of captivating online and offline game modes hold it back, however.