eFootball PES 2021 Discussion Thread (CONSOLES)

This is the most sloppy game of Konami. Even boots are not up to date. We are acustommed to have non licenced teams, not updated squads etc... But this time, it sucsk.
 
PESV said:
Spot on, couldn't agree more and thanks for typing it out. Same goes to others that took the effort. As much as i tried, in the end I just couldn't be arsed to pin point every little thing that is different and how it affects overall gameplay. Not after all the abuse from Konami this year with their surprise patches.

Yes, the game is definitely better and smoother and all that. But i agree in the end this season update doesnt deserve a whole lot of praise when you consider the game is now pretty much in a state it should of been a year ago when it was released as an unfinished product that they eventually fixed by dumbing it down untill nothing more was left then a shadow of its potential.

Thankfully some of that has been restored now. The anything can happen feeling has largely returned and the game feels less scripted, more fair and under your own control. Despite this, i still have this sour taste in my mouth when playing it. Not because of bugs but mainly because it shows again so clearly where the focus lies: attack, attack, attack. All those little improvements made it smoother and snappier but where is the calmness to counterbalance this?

Most definitely i am guilty of romanticising the past when i say that on a meta level playing PES nowadays feels more and more detached from the real thing due to a lack of small strategic choices. What i mean by that is in real life, every match starts by feeling each other out, slowly building up play. Looking for that little space, that unattentive moment to exploit, getting in those little pokes to provoke a too eager move, etc. PES used to represent this so much better.. i am looking at you 2017, PES5, et al.

Where is the art and skill of maintaining possession under increasing pressure and perfectly timing that pass, dribble or tackle. Knowing when to make your move. That is how i learned to play PES and how i still play now. But the other game now encapsulates this aspect much better. Every pass should count and should have consequences; good or bad.

Yet, in reality everything is wide open until the box. I can go left, i can go right, i can go wherever i want. There is always a player i can pass to, there is always a way out (on top player). "Hey, there goes my fullback again for the 20th time this match and no one seems to care.". In PES 20 and 21, building up play requires me to fool myself to believe it actually serves a purpose. As if i am enacting a football match on a (huge) football pitch while under the hood a baseball game engine is running. But there is no subtle risk assessment going on in the back of my head whatsoever. No spotting the right moment. No real taking into account if i am controlling Jantje or Pietje. Let alone taking into account which opponent i am facing. Be it attack or defense; nothing forces me to really act differently depending on the players involved in the situation. Its very much on me to imagine that bit as to provide myself with a more interesting experience. Sure, there is individuality, especially for star players, but i dont have to rely on their traits as much as i would like.

Meanwhile, i will continue to enjoy the good but its such a shame its stuck in a distractingly cheap frame. It could of been so much better if they didn't try to please their whole user base without implementing some gameplay sliders. Hopefully they created a modern core for 22 that can handle sliders and/or uses more advanced methods of increasing the difficulty (tighter marking, sprinting more impact on stamina, etc) instead of just using handicaps.

Sorry guys, I just miss midfield battles, not having a shot on goal for a whole match, longing for that one good chance. I want to feel a creative challenge, not just test my skills and reflexes. I want to see stories evolve. Sure there are the occasionally stories but they lack depth. Offline fans are left with moments of real beauty that are missing a solid beginning and middle and get boring all too quickly, like a song with only a chorus.
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Very well said. :APPLAUD::APPLAUD::APPLAUD:
 
purj said:
GUYS, has anyone tried playing a Man Utd ML for this season????? I DID AND THEYRE IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE????? WHY KONAMI WHY???? literally stopping me from starting it cas that just SUCKS.
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Possibly cause last year they played in Europa League. Since the game is in most parts copy-paste, I exclude gameplay, and they copy-paste even the bugs and the last season European spots.
 
switched from pass assist 1 (played on 1 since always) to pass assist 3 on online and didnt even noticed any difference

the game its as scripted as 2020. even with the minor gameplay improvements (a bit towards the demo gameplay lets say) still no skill gap and the same "meta"
 
slamsoze said:
Possibly cause last year they played in Europa League. Since the game is in most parts copy-paste, I exclude gameplay, and they copy-paste even the bugs and the last season European spots.
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Funnily enough, Arsenal were in the Champions League last year but they have it right this year. Maybe it takes them 4 years to fix something tricky like this :D
 
So we can always just save the exe and edit file can't we? And then if we don't like the next DP we just go back to the last one.
I'm not able to connect the game. What could be wrong? Anyone know?
 
Stringer said:
I think they added a new "quickly grab the ball from the net after scoring" animation when you're a goal or two down. I thought it looked pretty neat.

Also, dribbling past players has been optimised. Meaning there's 50/50 chance you can pull it off. While in PES 2020 it felt like a 20/80 chance.
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What about celebrating like mad when you score a consolation goal to make it 1 - 5?
 
robozaoGOAT said:
switched from pass assist 1 (played on 1 since always) to pass assist 3 on online and didnt even noticed any difference

the game its as scripted as 2020. even with the minor gameplay improvements (a bit towards the demo gameplay lets say) still no skill gap and the same "meta"
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You might not have noticed it, but your opponent, if they were playing on PA1, was objectively at a disadvantage. PA3 (and PA2) bums can get in the bin.

I'm FUMA all the way these days, but still reserve a special place in hell for anyone using PA2+ online.
 
janguv said:
You might not have noticed it, but your opponent, if they were playing on PA1, was objectively at a disadvantage. PA3 (and PA2) bums can get in the bin.

I'm FUMA all the way these days, but still reserve a special place in hell for anyone using PA2+ online.
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Agree but his point about Konami artificially closing any skill gap online is right

I have had my defender stop dead while in full running motion just so that a striker can overtake and score a 1 on 1

Also when it's going against you then every pass hits shin of opposition and no chance you win a header at all

Infuriating
 
Zeman said:
I played ML and right in the second season (2020/2021) I have Tom Heaton regen (31 year old GK)!
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They would just need to list 100 german first and last name, 100 british first and last name, same with spanish, italian, portuguese, some slavic....use random combos for names. Random age, random positions, random stats. And implement some possibilites to generate a high rated player out of 50 or something.
 
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The art of defending..Notice how I don’t allow my defence to be sucked out wide and how with my cursor I keep cuadrado central..I then see the hole or potential danger and cover it..

This game..I’m now slowing the game right down and having those lovely slow probing matches..Not bum rushing the ball carrier,filling the channels and cutting the cpu play off..I’m really able to dictate(it’s really bringing the best out in the cpu AI..Fuma,superstar.

Using A(Xbox controller)at the right point allows me to activate the keeper more on saves and also get a touch to intercept those long passes along the middle(or my own defensive lines)when my own teammates might not react when a balls close(timing and being more hands on).

Dream stuff!..Unassited passing and shooting👊🥳(closest game I’ve ever played to real football,so organic when you click)...Pes20 was the paving ground,this is the garden!
 
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1st game of pes21 PC with spal vs torino. Superstar, 12 min game. Applied some b-man's advise- turn off adv instruction, increase compactness and def line, closer and lower camera angle.

2nd game switched side using torino
 
StrangelyEnough said:

The art of defending..Notice how I don’t allow my defence to be sucked out wide and how with my cursor I keep cuadrado central..I then see the hole or potential danger and cover it..

This game..I’m now slowing the game right down and having those lovely slow probing matches..Not bum rushing the ball carrier and by filling the channels more and cutting the cpu play off..I’m really able to dictate(it’s really being the best out in the cpu AI..Fuma,superstar.
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i do like the new tackling mechanics in defence. well, not new but refined. that "leg in" move '(i favered in 2020 vanilla) and jousting (not sure), that grinding on each other... i like that. sliding tackles seems to be a bit different as well (positive).

and yes, i take even more time on the ball now, trying to watch where my mates are running, look out for open lanes, passing options...
i even try that manual 2nd player control here and there... because when you aint sprinting all the time, you do have time to control a second player. i'm not very good at it but when it works its so rewarding for me! :D
same in defense. i really try not to rush the ball carrier but instead i use a combo of things: teammate press, team press, holding R2 to cover space, pressing X to get a leg in, holding X to follow, moving with SC, double pressing x for a leg in or harder tackle (not intentional foul!)

for offence and defence: when you play this game on FUMA AND let it flow/run a bit by itself (not chasing the ball like a 6 year old)... its a different game (at least to what i mostly see on youtube or in the "pro leagues")! i could go deeper... but when you use all the control stuff in the game, you can partly celebrate football! dont forget: you are not alone on the pitch, its a teams effort!!! so try to think as a whole team only you can control max 2 players at the time. when this clicks... a different game unfolds. not different as some might think now... its still PES, but it lloks and plays different in some degree! truly does!

btw: sprint is one of my lesser used buttons when playing. only use it for counter attacks when there is plenty of space (and its not like that all the time :P )and when i want to go past the opponent (for 1-3 meters). because when you keep holding sprint to long the AI will always get the ball from you. like in real life! think about it. makes sense to me. :D

edit: oh, that game! :D
 
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PRO_TOO said:
i do like the new tackling mechanics in defence. well, not new but refined. that "leg in" move '(i favered in 2020 vanilla) and jousting (not sure), that grinding on each other... i like that. sliding tackles seems to be a bit different as well (positive).

and yes, i take even more time on the ball now, trying to watch where my mates are running, look out for open lanes, passing options...
i even try that manual 2nd player control here and there... because when you aint sprinting all the time, you do have time to control a second player. i'm not very good at it but when it works its so rewarding for me! :D
same in defense. i really try not to rush the ball carrier but instead i use a combo of things: teammate press, team press, holding R2 to cover space, pressing X to get a leg in, holding X to follow, moving with SC, double pressing x for a leg in or harder tackle (not intentional foul!)


for offence and defence: when you play this game on FUMA AND let it flow/run a bit by itself (not chasing the ball like a 6 year old)... its a different game (at least to what i mostly see on youtube or in the "pro leagues")! i could go deeper... but when you use all the control stuff in the game, you can partly celebrate football! dont forget: you are not alone on the pitch, its a teams effort!!! so try to think as a whole team only you can control max 2 players at the time.

btw: sprint is one of my lesser used buttons when playing. only use it for counter attacks when there is plenty of space (and its not like that all the time :P )and when i want to go past the opponent (for 1-3 meters). because when you keep holding sprint to long the AI will always get the ball from you. like in real life! think about it. makes sense to me. :D

edit: oh, that game! :D
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You also get beaten by momentum and inertia both in the player and ball..Blinsided or caught just plain flat footed(clever stuff).

Create the holes for the cpu and they will tare you a new one especially on the harder difficulties.The CPU will only play through you if you allow it..It’s about pressuring the ball at the right moments..and using tactics(not advanced)..To adjust these variables each match and in the changing context of the match your playing in.

This is very complex game..The thought and execution(those WEPs boys understand the deeper complexity of football,I’m mega impressed).Just like I was with PES on the ps2 back in the day..

It might not have next gen tech..But a lot of what is going on under the hood is next level.
 
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StrangelyEnough said:
You also get beaten by momentum and inertia both in the player and ball..Blinsided or caught just plain flat footed(clever stuff).

Create the holes for the cpu and they will tare you a new one especially on the harder difficulties.The CPU will only play through you if you allow it..It’s about pressuring the ball at the right moments..and using tactics(not advanced)..To adjust these variable each match..

This is very complex game..The thought and execution..
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this!! i had matches where the AI was in my pen area only 2 or 3 times. sometimes i can hold them off in midfield for a long time or pressure them into their own third.
i forgot to mention the manual offside trap (double pressing digi pad), the running out of own third (holding digi pad) and changing attack/defense level! usefull tools as well.

and yes, i try to watch out for blind sides of the opponent or how and when he moves.

simple challenge for everone: play a match, 20 min. fuma professional, and try to react mainly to what the AI does. now put in some sparse active moves from your side. ussually users are active all the time in PES. try the other way around. just give it a try! hold your horses, play football! ;) :D

Edit: In defense, when the AI delivers a ball to the front man, try not to take control of you defender behind him but of another player and work it together. Your own AI can do good stuff, not only bad! And i know the bad stuff is in! ;)
 
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Manual cross..The angle of my players body and feet create the curve..Notice how I also push the ball slightly away from my feet before contact..Deflected goal that ronaldo mopped up..I like what the cpu defender is doing(literally snapping at ronaldo’s heels and how it produces the deflection or ball to rise).
 
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Online is more enjoyable this year becasue of more responsive gameplay and defenders having more momentum and get beaten by movement. But Konami needs to reduce teammate pressure for next-gen version with the new engine. Constant pressure is annoying online.
 
Kunio_Kun said:
Online is more enjoyable this year becasue of more responsive gameplay and defenders having more momentum and get beaten by movement. But Konami needs to reduce teammate pressure for next-gen version with the new engine. Constant pressure is annoying online.
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Im a offline guy mainly..Cpu AI and friends on a couch..Online is a shit show for me(I’m a fuma player).I cant do with all the pressure whores and pa2-3 players.

I don’t even like pa1,and think the game is designed primarily to be played without assistance)..Don’t want to argue with people over it though..Its just my view😉(there’s just no pleasure for me when it’s all being done for me,I like the direct control).Power,placement and using my players body and feet..More variables!
 
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So, I have been playing this for a few days now. Initially I was very reluctant to take a risk buying this after promising my self last year I wouldn't give Komani my money, or Fifa for that matter on the back of so much change for the worse regarding gameplay.

Anyway I took a risk, patched it with kits and started a few games. I was pleasantly surprised to see some of that old magic I felt with last years demo and the vanilla version has come back.

It is much, much different than the last patched version of 2020 I played a month or two ago. Some of the things I've noticed:

- Random deflections are back, which help the game feel a bit unpredictable. It also allows some of the nice blocking and stretching animations to shine
- Spin and bobbles with the ball when trapping is back again. In the vanilla last year the ball would spin and bounce when players took a heavy touch which was nice. Thats back here again and Ive seen it a few times
- Responsiveness is improved. My players don't feel like tanks. There is a pronounced feel between say Salah and Fabinho.
- Speed. Players can now outrun players with speed. I could never sprint past players with Salah in the last patched 2020 version
- Keepers. These are well improved. Still difficult to score against but they rush off their line now and make good blocks. They hardly came off their lines last year.
- CPU variation. Seen a lot nice play even from the weaker sides. Its not 100% perfect but they do try things and I haven't seen nearly as many turn and shoot goals
- Distance shooting. CPU will try shots from different angles and distances. Ronaldo scored one past me from 40 yards!
- Dribbling stick helps win fouls
- Shooting has (slightly) more variation
-They removed that floaty keeper dive and catch animation!

Cons

- Still not enough stadiums
- Some kits are not up to date. How Konami can't get this right is anybody business.
- Still only 10 replays
- Replays HAVE TO BE FIXED NEXT GEN. camera angles are awful. Fifes is much better and more varied
- Still no penalties! Cant win one for the life of me.
- Shooting needs more variation
- keepers need more animations and some updated animations

Pes has always played beautifully in the middle of the pitch and its no exception here. The variations in play are a joy. What has let it down in the past from a single player view has been the a.i. Add more animations and varied ai and the game becomes 100x better. Where fifa excels, for all its weird looking player models, is that theres a lot of fluidity in the animation system and you can sometimes see new animations months down the line.

Konami now needs to leave this alone with the exception of penalties. Just add kits if thats all it is but DONT TOUCH THE BLOODY GAMEPLAY. I will be keeping my game offline and I'm scouring the net for kits to fix as i don't trust them to not mess things up.

All in all I recommend this.
 
PRO_TOO said:
this!! i had matches where the AI was in my pen area only 2 or 3 times. sometimes i can hold them off in midfield for a long time or pressure them into their own third.
i forgot to mention the manual offside trap (double pressing digi pad), the running out of own third (holding digi pad) and changing attack/defense level! usefull tools as well.

and yes, i try to watch out for blind sides of the opponent or how and when he moves.

simple challenge for everone: play a match, 20 min. fuma professional, and try to react mainly to what the AI does. now put in some sparse active moves from your side. ussually users are active all the time in PES. try the other way around. just give it a try! hold your horses, play football! ;) :D

Edit: In defense, when the AI delivers a ball to the front man, try not to take control of you defender behind him but of another player and work it together. Your own AI can do good stuff, not only bad! And i know the bad stuff is in! ;)
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Thanks for the heads up on your own findings.(great tips)..😉
 
StrangelyEnough said:
Thanks for the heads up on your own findings.(great tips)..😉
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;) i bet there is even more tipps from the community "hidden" in this forum. personally: maybe i need to make a comment in german...
i just cant express it all so well and in detail (in english) but i want to say so much! :LOL: because there is so much to talk about! good and bad! :D
 

I know I said I'd stay out of this thread with any negativity but just saw this on Reddit and thought I'd share - I know this is one ridiculous example, but it encapsulates the main problem I have with this game (and the other game), why I'm sick of playing them and it can't be solved with updates.

What is happening on the screen isn't even the real gameplay. You can see just in these few seconds how scripted this situation is... The GK gets wiped out, but the game already decided that he's catching that ball and continuing his movement forward, so the ball sticks in his grasp despite clipping into his arm/hands, his feet just warp over the player because the game decided he's playing a running animation instead of a falling one...

Even when we praise stuff like the foot planting or ball physics, it's cheating, it's not actually even doing those things. It's deciding behind the scenes what is going to happen and picking which animations for the players/ball seem to make sense. In this situation it got it wrong and it looks ridiculous, but even when it gets it right then I feel this sense of everything being artificial/predetermined.
 
AntonyC_PESCustomFaces said:
I wasn’t aware of these unorthodox formations. But the reason how this came about, is because I just had a sense of rage at how scripted and cheaty PES 2020 (soon to be PES2021) felt. So, I was like... FUCK YOU Konami, I’ll win this damn game whether you want me too or not. That was how this formation came about, and it turned out be a wonderful spectacle.
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UPDATE - I am so pleased Konami have tweaked the gameplay for PES 2021.
It isn't 100% perfect, that's for sure, but it's a damn sight better than 2020!
 
New member here.. felt the need to converse with more aficionados after discovering how good this game is on FUMA.

PES2021 gameplay wise is much better than PES 2020. I bought PES 2020 in July, played until September 15 on full manual, and I always thought this game could use more responsive controls... well 2021 is exactly that, polished 2020 game.. the most realistic football game on the market, which brings me to question the PASS ASSISTANCE feature.
Why would you have such a strong base for realistic football playing, only to destroy it with super quick CPUPRESSURE and 3 PASS ASSISTANCE LEVELS?

I swear some people don’t even play the game, they use PA3 and stay back with their defender while holding pressure button. All while abusing the through balls and quick 1-2 with a first time shot. They aren’t playing football at all, they are just looking for the quickest way to win.

And that’s where PES problem really is, the community is as shit as FIFA, save for some dudes who try to play it realistic as me, a lot of people play it cheaply and ugly. Of course there’s still some problem with AI, but the game is doing bits now, I can play dudes out of the pitch passing my life out only for them to press triangle 2 times and score easily with a cdm with shit finishing.

Sorry for the rant but I bet you there’s a lot of people on the same page as me here. FUMA is next gen, FUMA should be the way football games are played IMO
 
janguv said:
You might not have noticed it, but your opponent, if they were playing on PA1, was objectively at a disadvantage. PA3 (and PA2) bums can get in the bin.

I'm FUMA all the way these days, but still reserve a special place in hell for anyone using PA2+ online.
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I just have been feeling that in order to play online and have some sort of fun in my club thats the way to go

If it was up to me the game shouldnt even have pass assist

Still will play online divisions and etc on PA1, but my club its only about waiting for the game to be on your side
 
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