eFootball PES 2020

Pros

• Realistic game graphics
• Improved behind the scenes game management
• Superb player-on-player gameplay and ball physics

Cons

• Requires a newer computer with beefy hardware

Known as a soccer video game by some parts of the gaming community, eFootball PES 2020 is also familiar to international sports fans as a universally celebrated football game. As the 2020 edition loads onto expectant game devotee computers, new features come into view. The revered soccer simulator now incorporates more realistic ball physics and player control mechanics, plus the newly overhauled career mode. Intended to Add more gameplay depth, beyond that which is found on the football field, players hold more sway over their team when they're back in the locker room. Whether transferring or buying players, studying lineup options, or playing hardball in the stadium boardroom, eFootball PES 2020 has an option that allows players to feel more in control of their football managing career.

There are only a handful of football computer games that have penetrated every video gaming market. eFootball PES 2020 certainly falls into this elite group of games, with versions of the sports simulator finding their way onto both consoles and Windows computers. To keep the players moving smoothly, a chosen Windows machine should be no more than 3 to 4 years old. Consoles aren't affected by such frame dropping woes, of course, but computer owners do have to use a little forethought before purchasing a modern game. As a bare minimum, an i5 Intel processor and 4GB of RAM should be on-hand when the game is installed. In order to turn all the graphics settings all the way to the max, a football fan should consider investing money on some new computer hardware. A powerful multi-core i7 CPU and 8GB of fast RAM should keep the footballing world's best players dribbling and shooting the ball without any fun-wrecking frame buffering. Just to assure ultra-realistic gameplay, a fairly new Nvidia GPU should be purchased, too.

For AMD computer owners, similar machine specs should be selected so that the hardware compares favorably to an Intel setup. With plenty of processing overhead available, the cool eye candy can be turned on and enjoyed. After the graphics settings are maxed out, expect realistic shadows, better player animations, and many other visually appealing touches. Even the wrinkle marks and frowns on manager faces come to life, perhaps as a response to a player transferral strategy that's just fallen through. Of course, if the graphics look great off the field, they must look stunning when a game is underway. That's true enough, with player hairstyles and tattoos leading the way in a graphically intensive flight of gaming pixels. It's no wonder that eFootball PES 2020 asks for a high-spec Windows setup, although the detailed animations still look pretty good on a lower specced computer. It's just, well, the players and stadiums take on a far more polished and ultra-realistic appearance when all the visuals can be turned all the way up.

Now, a new version of an ever-popular soccer video game should deliver a polished, more refined graphical interface, there's no arguing that point. But, shouldn't the game also promote oodles of gameplay-tuned features as well? Not to worry, the 2020 edition draws players in and onto the football field until they feel as if they're part of the game. There are buildups to finesse, passing tactics to penetrate opposition defenses, and shot strategies to fool stunned virtual goalkeepers as well. And the animations used to represent these moves authentically interpret all of those player actions. A sliding tackle, a feint to one side or a dummy pass to the other, the tricks and signature dribbling freestyling is gloriously reproduced on a digitally perfect football pitch. Incidentally, Master League Mode, the game career component, does have access to many popular licensed players and teams, but there are still quite a few licensing issues to contend with when playing the game.

If football is a game of two halves, then eFootball PES 2020 can lay claim to the same assertion. For the first half, there's all the behind the scenes fun to take care of before a match can begin. Select a manager, change his appearance, and take him to the boardroom to spend some MyClub coins. Game currency can be spent on player transfers, buying in legends, team salaries, and more. To earn more coins, well, players need to get their team lineups and player formations just right, then it's time to get the ball moving and the goal scores climbing. Matching the gameplay graphics, realistic ball physics and player animations reinforce the feelings of game realism. Smooth camera transitions further enhance that sensation, all while a team attack breaks down the opposition's defenses.

Pros

• Realistic game graphics
• Improved behind the scenes game management
• Superb player-on-player gameplay and ball physics

Cons

• Requires a newer computer with beefy hardware