Game Review | eFootball PES 2021 Lite

Konami has continued the tradition of releasing portions of their premier football game for free with the release of PES 2021 Lite for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One. The game is also playable on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility but don’t expect much improvements on those platforms outside of maybe loading times. 

PC requirements:

• MINIMUM:
  
  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 8.1/10 – 64bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-3470 / AMD FX 4350
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 670 / AMD Radeon HD 7870
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 40 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Resolution 1280 x 720

• RECOMMENDED:
  
  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10 – 64bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-3770 / AMD FX 8350
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 760 / AMD Radeon R9 270X
  • Storage: 40 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Resolution 1920 x 1080

Download: https://www.konami.com/wepes/2021/eu/en/ps4/page/lite

It should also be noted quite clearly that THIS DOES HAVE LIMITED OFFLINE MULTIPLAYER. I keep getting that question every year but you guys seem to miss my response every time. So yes you can play a match with your friend on the same system. Also if you wish to play Master League or with every team in all the top Leagues then you’ll need to get the full version of PES 2021 Update. In a sense you can consider it a demo with a tacked on Free-to-play mode.

Like with previous versions, PES 2021 Lite is an online free to play title at its core with limited single player options. So despite having access to tournaments and kick-off you’ll be limited by the teams you can use and the options you’ll have. 

As a games as a service title, it also goes without saying that kids and adults with gambling problems or addictive personalities should not play this. Despite having what I’d consider to be fairly favourable loot boxes, it’s still a randomized loot system to insensitive spending. They may be favorable now however such systems can also be changed on the fly in relation to the ambitions of the publisher.

Those outside of the aforementioned vulnerable groups with an interest in football will likely find a pleasant experience in PES 2021 Lite for the PC and home consoles. For this review we used the PC and PS4 Pro versions. Both running at their best settings performed smoothly with the same gameplay and visuals of the full game. Again to reiterate, this is just a vertical slice of PES 2021 Update with a healthy focus on myClub. 

To install PES 2021 Lite you’ll first need to visit the store page of PES 2021 Update on either PSN, XBL or Steam. There you should see the option to install PES 2021 Lite. The installation should be somewhere around 40GB but you should probably clear between 50 and 60GB as a precaution. PES 2021 is a game which receives constant updates and since it’s an online focused title you won’t have the option to opt out. So clear that space and strap in for the ride. That ride being a year worth of myClub support.

myClub, the mode has been a part of PES since PES 2015 and like it’s competitor FIFA Ultimate Team, has gone through numerous changes year on year. This however is the first year that myClub has not had any notable updates. It’s exactly the same as last year’s myClub but since that version is no longer supported with updates, fans of the mode are forced to switch. Switching from PES 2020 Lite to PES 2021 Lite will result in you starting your club all over. No data carries over other than maybe your control preferences. Thankfully PES is usually generous with top players and Legends so you’re likely to have a beast of a team before long. If you purchase one of the special edition versions of PES 2021 Update you’ll also gain a special iconic moment player along with weekly consumables.

They’ve also made it possible for the most dedicated PES players to earn even more points on the mobile version of the game then use them on other platforms. By creating a universal currency shared across multiple connected systems, it’s made acquiring points and players an easier undertaking. In an ideal circumstance you’ll likely complete a few challenges on the train ride home then use those points to acquire some top class players for your myClub team on your PlayStation or PC. That being said, the year 2020 has taught us that ideal circumstances aren’t guaranteed. Being vigilant is always the best option. Vigilant of such systems in which the publishers can increase the grind should they desire. If this becomes true then it’ll be a major step back for the mode but for now it seems to be a net positive to the experience.

As for every other aspect of myClub, it’s the same as last year’s game. You collect players via scouts and agents (basically the PES alternatives to packs). You can also improve how well players play by placing them in the right positions, hiring the best managers for your style and train them using consumables or naturally from their involvement in matches. Matches can be played via online and offline challenges, along with or against friends or simmed using the Ai. Those familiar with it will feel right at home, while newcomers are encouraged to pay attention during all tutorials and seek out more tutorials via YouTube and forums. The mode has debt and not all of that is fully covered via the tutorial. You can also feel free to check out our PES 2020 Lite review to learn more about myClub.

Final Verdict 

PES LITE has pretty much become a formality with the PES series. Every year the full game releases for PC and consoles then a few months later Konami drops the LITE version. PES 2021 Lite is exactly that. At the beginning of this review it was compared to a demo with full access to the free-to-play mode, myClub and that’s the most accurate way to describe it. If you’re interested in collecting players via a randomized system then taking them online to challenge others then this a game for you. It’s free to play so as long as you keep your credit card in another dimension there should be no problem. Those with more of a footy appetite outside of playing myClub should look into PES 2021 Update. It’s the full version to PES lite and retails at about $30, so half the regular MSRP. If you’re interested in why that is then you’re going to watch our full review of it here.

The review copy of this game was provided to us by its publisher, Konami.