eFootball: Kick Off! is Konami’s latest footballing release, calling back the days of Pro-Evolution Soccer to challenge the dominant FIFA (now known as EAFC). The game releases right in time for the World Cup, which is understandable as the focus is largely on country representation due to the varying licences of clubs. As a competitive FIFA player many years ago, it was always interesting trying out other soccer games that need to find their niche to compete. Here, it may very well be that eFootball comes in at an excellent price point and focuses on simplified game modes to attract casuals as well as top fans. Does it do enough to warrant a purchase when EA’s flagship often goes on sale? Read on.
I knew the basics about eFootball when booting it up on the Switch 2 – a game covering the most dominant sport in the world with clear emphasis on the latest tournament and a team builder (World Tour) mode. The opening provides a tutorial on the button layout, which is slightly different from FIFA and took a little bit to adapt. There are ‘easy’ controls available, which automate much of the passing and other techniques. I made sure that was turned off, scored a few goals in the tutorial and quickly moved the World Cup mode, choosing Australia – naturally – to tackle the same opponents as our heroes. When doing so, you can shuffle opponents for a bit more replayability. First up, Türkiye. I always manage my team and change formations, and was pleased to see an update that added current squad players (Volpato and Toure were not there until the latest update). I went with an attacking line-up. I chose hard as my first difficulty (it starts from very easy and can be moved up through six settings) and commenced the match. Here we go.
The cinematics are quite similar to what you would expect from a football match. Team walks out of the race, lines up for the anthems and moves to position with the crowd going wild in the backdrop. Graphics were quite strong, though the player faces (outside of superstars) were not really at scale. Still, game feel and gameplay were my focus points and I can safely say that matches are fun. I lost my first game, drew my second and won my third, then ploughed through the computer AI. Australia held the World Cup aloft. Again, I’ve played FIFA for nearly three decades so I didn’t expect difficulty here to be ramped up to extreme challenge – for the main feast is playing against other people.
Well, in online play I received my reality check. This time, I chose Manchester B – Manchester City is named this as eFootball does not have the licence – and made sure Haaland was up front (he was not when I chose them, needing to bring him off the bench). After waiting 30 seconds for my real opponent, I soon noticed that they chose a team from the builder mode as their ranking was 99 even though they wore Arsenal kits. Manchester B was 83, despite being one of the best teams in the world. Ok. Despite their clear manipulation of the roster, I still expected a close match. At half-time, I was down 5-0. Gareth Bale, now retired for a few years, had a hattrick. Bergkamp had been putting through assists like I was an under-12s team. Roberto Carlos scored a free kick from almost halfway. I could barely get the ball, let alone set up an attack. I played another two online matches against others that also used 99 level teams. I scored a few goals but lost all the ranked games. This is when I decided to build my own team in the main mode – World Tour.
World Tour mode is essentially a campaign to compete in tournaments and buy new players (either current or legendary). It is a single player experience that divides into regional leagues with set matches against the AI opponents. When you defeat a team, you can use in-game currently to poach their players or purchase from a shop full of legends. It’s essentially a borrowed game feature from PES and is the mode that will see the most longevity outside of online play. I wouldn’t say that it has the extreme depth of a FIFA campaign mode, but building a team without spending real cash still adds a solid level of engagement and enjoyment. Of course, after a while you will become overpowered and smash through goals for fun while having an impenetrable wall at the back. But this balance is seen with any mode against AI and has plenty tinkering available.
The button-mapping is generally strong and responsive. The power meter on your shots and passes can take some time to get used to, as I was soft-kicking many balls in the first hour. Tackling and jostling is quite good, and last-line defence carries a level of anxiety as a stray tackle can see some wild theatrics. Little speech bubbles pop up above players that might encourage, demean or communicate gameplay. This may take some of the realism out of the game and can be switched off. Still, seeing any efforts to be unique was appreciated as all you can do in a sports game is trying to adapt the sport as best as can be. This does so knowing that fun is really the main attraction. In addition to the two main modes, there is also a mini-game mode that challenges your skills in a range of areas. While these can be mastered quickly and become repetitive, younger audiences than me will find this engaging and a good break from the main games.
There are two mini-games available (based on my play) – a 3-a-side wall match and an obstacle course. The 3-a-side reminded me of FIFA street as you can use any player to shoot from halfway. The walls can be used like bumpers on a bowling straight. The obstacle course is not as enjoyable, but helps with the dribbling aspect of the game. I much preferred the wall match and imagine they add more options in the future.
eFootball: Kick Off! is the latest football/soccer entry from Konami and brings many of the features seen in the now-defunct Pro Evolution Soccer series. The gameplay is solid and it runs seamlessly on the Switch 2, with minor sacrifices for performance. Online play has its challenges due to the ability to use a team of superstars, but matching their efforts will see a more even approach. With the World Cup in full swing and selling at an excellent price point, eFootball will see many fans flock to its play. Regular updates and further licencing may see this entry challenge EAFC (I need to stop calling it FIFA) largely on the Switch 2, offering easy controls and a heap of accessibility options for all ages.
Pros
- Gameplay is fluid and fun
- Perfect timing with the World Cup currently on
- Legends!
Cons
- Online play balance, as opponents choose self-built teams
- Limited licencing
3.5/5
