I’ve spent over 120 hours playing eFootball 2023 across PC, PS5, and mobile since its launch, so I’ve got plenty of first-hand context when people ask me is eFootball 2023 any good. I went into it skeptical, especially after the rocky launch of earlier eFootball iterations that left a lot of long-time PES fans feeling let down. I tested both casual offline modes and ranked competitive play, plus I tested the mobile version to see how it stacked up against the console releases. This breakdown covers everything you need to know before you download it or spend any money on in-game content.
Is eFootball 2023 Any Good? A Look at Core Gameplay Improvements
The biggest win for eFootball 2023 is that it fixed almost all of the game-breaking bugs and clunky mechanics that made the 2022 version nearly unplayable for many users. Improved collision detection makes tackles feel far more realistic, no more watching a defender bounce off a striker for no reason even when you perfectly time your challenge. Dynamic weather effects actually impact gameplay too, with wet grass making passes slide further and heavy rain slowing down player movement so you have to adjust your strategy on the fly.
Control options are flexible for all skill levels, which is a big plus for new players. Casual users can stick to simplified one-tap passes and shots, while competitive players can unlock advanced controls for trick moves, weighted through balls, and manual shooting that rewards skill over random chance. Crossplay works seamlessly across all major platforms too, so you can play with friends on Xbox, PC, or even mobile without any compatibility issues, a feature that many paid football sims still don’t get right.
Player motion capture is also noticeably better than earlier versions, with star players having their signature running styles, shot animations, and celebration moves that make matches feel more immersive. Even small details like players arguing with referees after bad calls or celebrating with teammates after a last-minute win add to the realistic match day vibe.
The Biggest Pros of Playing eFootball 2023 Right Now
One of the biggest draws of eFootball 2023 is that it’s completely free to play, with no upfront cost to access all core gameplay modes. Zero upfront cost means you can try it out for a few hours without risking any money, which is a huge difference from competing paid football sims that cost $70 or more for each annual release.
- No upfront purchase cost, with all core gameplay modes accessible for free
- Full crossplay support across console, PC, and mobile with shared progress
- More realistic player movement and ball physics than most competing free football sims
- Regular content updates with new player cards, events, and themed challenges every 2 weeks
The Dream Team mode, the game’s main online squad building mode, is surprisingly generous for free-to-play users too. You can earn enough in-game currency from daily and weekly challenges to unlock high-rated players without spending any real money, as long as you play a few times a week. Drop rates for rare player cards are far higher than equivalent modes in paid sims, so you don’t have to grind for months to build a competitive squad.
The mobile version is also one of the most polished football sims on the market right now, with optimized controls for touchscreens and support for Bluetooth controllers if you prefer a more console-like experience on the go. You can sync your Dream Team progress across mobile and console, so you can grind challenges on your commute and then play ranked matches on your PS5 when you get home without losing any progress.
Key Flaws That Hold eFootball 2023 Back
For all its improvements, eFootball 2023 still has some noticeable flaws that will be dealbreakers for a lot of players. Pay-to-win elements in high-ranked Dream Team play are really hard to ignore once you climb past the lower ranks. If you’re matched against someone who spent hundreds of dollars on max-rated special edition players, you’ll be at a huge disadvantage even if you’re a far more skilled player. Their players will run faster, tackle harder, and score more easily than your free-to-play squad no matter how well you play.
Licensing gaps are another big issue. The game has full licenses for Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, and most national teams, but it doesn’t have rights to the Premier League or Bundesliga. That means almost all teams in those leagues have generic badges, fake team names, and placeholder player faces, which is a huge letdown for fans of those leagues. You can download fan-made patches on PC to fix this, but console and mobile players are stuck with the generic unlicensed content.
Offline mode options are extremely limited too. There’s no career mode, no master league, and no extended tournament modes for offline players, all features that were fan favorites in the old Pro Evolution Soccer series. The only offline modes available are 1v1 friendlies and short 8-team knockout tournaments, which get boring after a few hours if you don’t like playing online.
Occasional bugs still pop up too, from players getting stuck in running animations mid-match to the game crashing entirely during ranked play, which can cost you a win and drop your rank without any way to appeal the loss. Matchmaking is also often unbalanced for new players, so you might get matched against someone with a 90+ rated squad when your team is only 75 rated, leading to frustrating one-sided matches.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Play eFootball 2023
eFootball 2023 is a great fit if you’re a casual player who just wants to play quick friendly matches with friends for free, especially if you play across multiple platforms. It’s also a solid choice if you primarily play football games on mobile, as it’s one of the most polished free options available right now for iOS and Android.
If you’re a competitive player who doesn’t mind either grinding for in-game currency or spending a small amount of money on occasional player packs, you’ll probably enjoy the ranked Dream Team mode too, as the core gameplay is far more skill-based than many other online squad building modes. You don’t have to spend any money to have fun if you only play casual friendly matches, either, as all default licensed teams are available for free in unranked play with no paywalls.
That said, it’s not a good fit if you’re a big fan of the Premier League or Bundesliga and care about official licensing, as you’ll be stuck with generic team and player names unless you play on PC with fan patches. It’s also not for you if you prefer offline single-player modes, as there’s barely any offline content to keep you occupied for more than a few hours. If you hate pay-to-win mechanics in online games, you’ll probably get frustrated with the higher ranks of Dream Team play too, as spending real money gives players a very clear advantage.
At the end of the day, the answer to is eFootball 2023 any good depends entirely on what you’re looking for in a football simulation game. It’s not a perfect game, and it has some clear flaws that will make it a bad fit for a lot of players, but it’s also come a really long way from the messy launch of the first eFootball title. If you’re on a budget, love playing online with friends across different platforms, or want a solid mobile football game, it’s absolutely worth giving a try. Just go into it with clear expectations of what it offers, and you won’t be disappointed.