8 Ways PES 2022 Has To Impress To Make It Worth The Wait
There will be no new Pro Evolution game this year, but will the gamble pay off with PES 2022?
This year, for the first time in two decades, Konami will not be releasing a full Pro Evolution title. Instead, this year a 'season update' will be provided, so the developers can concentrate on PES 2022 as their first title for the next generation of consoles.
The franchise is moving to the Unreal Engine, which should see the series transformed in almost every department. However, it is a big gamble from Konami who will be hoping that players will still purchase the update and those that don't will come back to the series next year.
The slogan Konami have used to advertise PES 2022 is 'Taking PES to a Whole New Level', but the truth is it could well be the make or break title in the series.
In recent years, PES has closed the gap on arch rival FIFA, but for the next generation it will need to be top of the football tree. The latest edition eFootballPES2020 produced a great game on the pitch but once again away from the gameplay it failed.
So in what areas does PES 2022 need to impress to make a year without a full new version worth the wait?
8. Overhaul Of Presentation
Presentation has never been Pro Evolution Soccer's strongest point. While the in game graphics have greatly improved over the years, the overall presentation is not in the same league as its rivals across the sports genre. EA Sports are aided by their partnerships, but their overall packages are second to none and make the experience as close to reality as possible.
In PES, the menus and the commentary are the areas that most need improving to catch up with its competitors. The menus were given an update in eFootballPES2020, but were still very basic. While the game is easy to navigate through the menus, the series has been using similar styles for two decades.
The in-game commentary had its charm earlier in the series, but it has become stale. While FIFA's isn't overhauled every year, it is updated. PES hasn't changed at all in a long time, sticking with the same team of Peter Drury and Jim Beglin since 2016. A new commentary team would bring a fresh update and sound to the series.
This is the perfect time for Konami to finally give PES the makeover it needs across all modes.