I've always liked both PES and FIFA be fair! I wasn't a huge fan of the Fox Engine PES games though. I felt like they moved away from what PES was about in lots of ways.
In terms of PES 2021, I don't really understand the cult like following that is has....I find it pretty strange to be honest haha. It's a game I've tried to love many times, but I never can. I can enjoy the odd game here and there, but I can't stick around too long! It's just too rigid and one dimensional for me - the exact opposite of what PES originally was. I know it has positives and I know the movement is good, but I feel like it's leaned on too heavily for just that, and a lot of the short comings are kind of just ignored.
Graphically, with the amazing mods that are available for it, it's stunning to look at, but the gameplay modding opportunities aren't great and have never really scratched the itch with what I'd want to be changed. I still believe that most of those dt18 values don't do much at all. Some do, most don't. That's not to have a go at any of the modders themselves, they do an amazing job, but I'm talking about the
ability to customise the game here.
In terms of FIFA/FC, I'm very aware of the negatives the game has, but to be able to extensively edit the gameplay files the way we can now is just amazing. Never have we had the chance to get so in depth with modding a football gameplay until the EBX editing became possible. We can literally adjust hundreds if not thousands of files now.
FC24 for me makes some very important advancements regarding particular off-ball behaviour and combined with the progress I've made on the mod this year, I am MASSIVELY enjoying this game. More so than any football game since FIFA 16 for me.
In general, the differentiation and variety of this game now is on a completely different level to what PES 2021 can offer. I know that will trigger some, but it's honestly how I feel. I really believe if some of the die hard PES 2021 fans who do nothing but laugh at FC24, actually gave this a chance they would be surprised. I've maintained that FC doesn't look great in videos, but get on the ball and give it a run. Sure the animations aren't perfect, but try and look a little deeper and see what you think! I'm talking about the game with my mod, not vanilla of course. I'm not saying it's perfect either, but I'm very happy with where it's at - and I've been critical of this game and other FIFA games before it believe me!
Hope this answers your question