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#EFOOTBALL PES 2020 PLAYSTATION 4 SERIES#
While that wasn't always an important requirement, it's almost 2020 now - nearly every sports series has something like a career mode/film hybrid, and PES 2020 doesn't. Somehow, though, it feels like that's not going to matter for hardcore soccer fans. Overall, PES 2020 still lacks some of the more dynamic elements of other sports franchises, especially a compelling single-player mode that tells a unique story. Some sparkle would've done wonders for online, and it's a missed opportunity. Here is where, if the single-player campaigns were going to remain devoid of flash and rely on substance, a bit of glitz should have been applied. eFootball PES 2020 got its ridiculous name because Konami really wanted to lean into the fact it's the best platform in soccer sims for esports competitions, and the online systems don't really feel like that's the case from a presentation standpoint. It's by no means bad - it's just unexciting, especially with the rebrand. Matchday brings very little to the table that isn't already done better in FIFA, and the other online modes feel bare bones compared to the more robust offerings of other sports simulators. If there's a major shortcoming, though, it's in PES 2020's online offering.
#EFOOTBALL PES 2020 PLAYSTATION 4 PROFESSIONAL#
Those who admire soccer for its ability to pain beautiful pictures featuring pristine passes and player movement will be right at home watching PES 2020 - and playing it, of course - and it's a testament to the realism of the product that it can sometimes feel like a perfect recreation of professional soccer. There's more room to maneuver and get passes right, which is key thanks to the way angles come into play at basically all times, and it mimics the rising crescendo of a perfect attack beautifully. That's a much better fit for PES 2020, which is more enjoyable despite being noticeably slower. PES 2020 also slows down its take on soccer this year after fans complained about the last offering trending too much toward the quick and flashy pace of other franchises. Those are, without a doubt, very present within PES 2020.
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Player error is, after all, part of the real sport's appeal - the dizzying highs of perfect passing spelled by the crushing lows of an own goal or a terrible mistake. There's also a heavier focus on players' getting their angles right on passing and shooting that can lead to frustration, but it's all done in the name of creating the most true-to-form recreation of soccer possible.
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Here, that manifests as a Finesse system that gives players the most one-on-one control in a soccer title ever. One of the big selling points of this year's offering is its continued attention paid towards complex or nuanced game mechanics that will always give a more studious, talented player the edge. PES 2020 delivers where it matters most, offering up the most realistic slice of footie this side of joining the roster of a training team. Fans don't really flock to PES games for the cinematics, though.
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