From PES to FIFA: A comparison of popular football video game franchises

EA Sports FIFA and eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer (formerly known as PES) are widely recognized as two of the most popular football video game franchises currently available.

The competition between these two series has been ongoing for several decades, and there is no indication of this changing in the foreseeable future.

Which Gaming Franchise Should You Choose?

#1 Price
If one is not keeping up with current events, it might come as a surprise that PES has undergone significant transformations in recent years.

As part of a larger marketing strategy to attract a wider audience, the game not only underwent a name change but also completely transitioned its business model.

Pro Evolution Soccer is now offered as a free-to-play game. There are no tricks or hidden agendas; individuals can simply download and start playing.

The unexpected switch provided PES with a much-needed boost, revitalizing the game. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that FIFA, PES’s only true competitor, can be quite expensive, with an initial release cost of up to $70. Players must be prepared to pay this price annually in order to stay current.

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#2 Multiplayer
When it comes to multiplayer, FIFA emerges as the undisputed champion. Not only does FIFA Ultimate Team offer a larger and more impactful experience compared to MyClub in PES, but it also enjoys unrivaled popularity.

The massive player base ensures faster matchmaking, leading to a vastly improved online gaming experience. Unlike PES, FIFA spares you the frustration of dealing with connection problems. Additionally, PES offers a more affordable option for those interested in building their dream team.

There is a caveat with FIFA, however – the game boasts an enticing reward system that incentivizes players to engage more in order to avoid missing out on any opportunities.

Casual gamers pressed for time may experience a sense of being inundated with daily and weekly tasks. Failing to complete these tasks may result in a feeling of missing out.

#3 Single Player
The Career Mode constitutes the fundamental aspect of FIFA’s single-player experience, while its counterpart in PES is known as Master League.

PES tends to excel as an offline game option, offering a more immersive and authentic football experience overall. When examining the single-player features exclusively, Master League may appear somewhat lackluster and underwhelming. On the other hand, FIFA’s Career Mode still has room for improvement and is far from flawless.

#4 Graphics
It is a challenging situation to analyze. FIFA seems to have an apparent advantage due to its larger budget, but the reality is more complex.

While FIFA presents improved clothing, realistic hair, smoother animations, and overall attention to detail, the player faces in PES tend to have better quality.

Moreover, PES showcases more vibrant and visually appealing grass on the pitch, which is a crucial aspect considering its prominence on the screen during gameplay.

#5 Gameplay
FIFA is often considered the more arcade-like version of a football video game, while PES garners acclaim for its realism.

It is not meant to imply that FIFA completely lacks realism, but rather that PES offers a superior sense of authenticity and natural gameplay.

PES excels in utilizing real-world physics and striving to depict a more accurate representation of football, whereas FIFA aims to cater to a wider audience, including those who may not have the time or patience to fully immerse themselves in the game.

FIFA boasts a lower entry barrier, but upon delving deeper into both games, one can observe the distinctions between them.

There is no clear winner in this comparison as the choice is determined by individual preferences. For players seeking accessibility and easy gameplay, FIFA is the preferred option, even if it means compromising on realism. Conversely, those willing to invest more time to learn and appreciate a highly realistic experience may find PES to be a suitable choice.

#6 Licensing
Licensing has always been a weak point for Pro Evolution Soccer. Despite the franchise’s continuous effort to increase the number of licensed entries in the database each year, it still falls short compared to the officially supported clubs and leagues in FIFA.

In previous versions of PES, the modding community provided helpful tips and tricks to address this issue. However, in recent releases, modding has become more challenging, making this option less reliable than before. FIFA, on the other hand, excels in this aspect, boasting a wide range of official clubs and leagues.

Conclusion
Ultimately, each of the two games has its own merits and shortcomings. For instance, FIFA offers a better multiplayer experience but lacks realism in some areas, while PES excels as an offline single-player game but is crippled by its lack of licensing.

Whether one chooses FIFA or PES depends on individual preferences and needs. There is no clear winner in this comparison, but you know exactly the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents and will be able to draw your own conclusion.