As usual, FIFA 23 was reviewed on default sliders against Legendary AI
The ball is in Konami's court as to what kind of game they want eFootball to evolve into. Will it be a mobile-based game with online play being the driver like it is in its current state, or will they get back to their roots with a more robust experience? Only time will tell.
Small meaningful improvements to nearly every aspect of the game is where you want to be as a gaming company, regardless of the genre, and Sports Interactive delivers with Football Manager 2022.
Even the decision to take a year off was universally applauded, but after two years of development this is the game Konami has released? The next big update is supposed to bring in some new modes and game mechanics, so I wouldn't fault anyone who deletes the game and gives it a go then because, at this point, there's only one direction eFootball 2022 can go, right?
FIFA 22 will no doubt change over the course of the next couple months by way of patches stemming from community feedback, but if you're looking for a solid soccer title to scratch your footy itch then FIFA 22 is your game. There are plenty of modes to enjoy, online is solid as ever, and the gameplay is finally good enough to propose a rewarding challenge thanks in large part to the attacking/defending balance.
Video games are supposed to be about fun, and Super Arcade Football accomplishes exactly that. Whether it's bending the rules in a custom tournament or playing through the story mode, Super Arcade Football is a cool 16-bit throwback with enough there to keep you entertained. With its simple control scheme and challenging AI, it's a game that's easy to pick up yet hard to master. Five years in the works, it's clear that there's a market for indie footy titles and not just FIFA or eFootball.
When it's all said and done, World Soccer Strikers '91 is a fun game, but like a lot of indie soccer titles, lacks sufficient depth and long-term value to warrant a purchase for any serious soccer fans. Even at its cheap price ($6), there isn't enough here to keep you coming back once you win a tournament or league. While I appreciate the approach and attempt to create a footy game with true freedom, there are just too many other indie soccer games that offer deeper gameplay with just as much fun.
The developers over at Unfinished Pixel did a tremendous job with both Super Sports Soccer and Super Sports Blast this past year, even patching the game to feature improved AI. While we often get caught up in the intricacies within FIFA and PES, it's good every now and then to just have some fun. I had a smile on my face the entire time I played this game, and unlike a lot of indie sports games, this one will be staying on my PS5 for quite some time.
Simulation games aren't for everyone. Neither are cycling games. What happens when you combine both of those into one game? You get a game that's meant for a niche audience, so if that's your cup of tea then PCM 2021 is the game for you - even despite the reported negligible yearly differences. If you're looking to get into cycling by trying PCM 2021, you're probably going to be a bit overwhelmed. Don't worry though, there are plenty of guides floating around, as well as tutorials on YouTube to help bridge the learning gap. PCM is moderately priced at $39.99, and with PC mods as well as continued support from Cyanide Studios (a patch has already been released), the true fans should be able to keep this game alive. If you're breaking into cycling, it's probably worth it to wait and catch this one when it goes on sale.
The developers over at Unfinished Pixel did a tremendous job in June bringing us a fast and fun footy game. Bringing back the volleyball and tennis games and offering them in a bundle is even more of a win. While we often get caught up in the intricacies within FIFA and Madden, it's good every now and then to just have some fun. I had a smile on my face the entire time I played this game. That alone is worth $20 bucks.
Now, let me get back to my save!
It's not a system seller, but if you're lucky enough to snag some new hardware and you're even just a casual soccer fan, it's worth checking out (especially because you can find the current-gen version for a cheap price and then just get a "free" upgrade to next gen).
A divided community (offline vs. FUT) and those competing priorities leave the future of FIFA in doubt. Will FIFA make strides in the future towards being a simulation or will it be a flashy card game? We might never know, but the FIFA 21 I'm playing today is simply not good enough.
Unfortunately, all of the positives that stem from better gameplay are diminished a little by stale modes and lackluster online play. If you enjoyed eFootball PES 2020 last year, you'll have some fun with this update as it improves on gameplay. However, if you skipped last year's game and have to pay full price, I'd probably pass. There's just not enough improvements off-the-pitch to warrant $60.
With its quality visuals, easy-to-learn controls and captivating story mode, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is a throwback to what video games should be about: fun.
Full disclosure: Maximum Games provided us with a review code for this game
The developers over at Unfinished Pixel did a tremendous job bringing us a fast and fun footy game for just $7.99. While we often get caught up in the intricacies within FIFA and PES, it's good every now and then to just have some fun. I had a smile on my face the entire time I played this game. That alone is worth eight bucks.
Gameplay is simple enough to grasp yet deep enough to challenge you as you progress.
Out of the box, FIFA 20 is the one of the poorest releases for the series in some time. The gameplay can't get out of its own way at times due to poor defensive fundamentals, while the career mode is littered with bugs that were fixed in past iterations. Volta appears to be the only mode without major issues because the gameplay there is expected to be different. FIFA is always prone to patches (for better or worse), so if you're on the fence be sure to keep your eyes open as this game will definitely change during the course of the season.
With the help of option files, PC and PS4 users get to experience nearly all of the bells and whistles of FIFA — sorry Xbox One users, you still can't — but with the magic that only PES can provide. If you're a gameplay purist, then eFootball PES 2020 is definitely worthy of a purchase.