If you've spent years playing Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) games, you've probably run into the question is efootball 2023 pes while scrolling through game forums or shopping for new football sim titles. For long-time PES fans, the sudden rebrand to eFootball in 2021 left a lot of people confused about whether the new series is just a renamed version of the game they loved, or a completely different product. I've been playing PES since the 2016 edition, so I went deep into the development history, gameplay mechanics, and feature sets of both franchises to answer that question clearly for anyone who's unsure.
Is eFootball 2023 PES? Breaking Down the Core Connection
The short answer is yes, but with a lot of big caveats. Konami, the developer behind both PES and eFootball, retired the PES brand name in 2021 to shift to a free-to-play, live service model for their football simulation franchise. That means eFootball 2023 is the direct successor to PES 2021, but it was built on a brand new game engine instead of the Fox Engine that powered all PES games from 2014 to 2021. A lot of the core development team that worked on PES stayed on for the eFootball series, so you'll still recognize a lot of the signature gameplay feel that made PES stand out from FIFA for so many years.
It's important to note that Konami did not just rename PES to eFootball 2023 for marketing purposes. The entire game structure was rebuilt from the ground up to support cross-platform play, regular content updates, and a free-to-play monetization model that did not exist in any previous PES release. That's why so many long-time fans feel like it's a completely different game, even if it shares the same development roots.
You'll still find all the classic PES features that fans loved in eFootball 2023, including the highly realistic player movement, the focus on tactical gameplay instead of arcade-style action, and the deep Master League mode for single players. But there are also a lot of changes that take time to get used to, especially if you haven't picked up a football sim since the last PES release.
Key Gameplay Differences Between eFootball 2023 and Old PES Titles
When I first booted up eFootball 2023 after spending hundreds of hours on PES 2021, the first thing I noticed was how much slower and more deliberate the gameplay felt. I went into the game assuming the answer to is efootball 2023 pes would be a simple yes, but the difference in physics was immediately noticeable. Konami adjusted the physics engine to make player movement more realistic, so you can no longer sprint past 3 defenders with a single fast winger like you could in some older PES editions. Tactical choices like formation selection, player positioning, and passing timing matter far more in eFootball 2023 than they did in most late-era PES games, which is a welcome change for players who prefer a more simulation-focused experience.
The biggest changes you'll notice when switching from PES to eFootball 2023 include:
- A new dynamic passing system that takes player stamina, positioning, and morale into account for every pass you make
- Updated set piece mechanics that let you customize every corner, free kick, and penalty kick to fit your playstyle
- Cross-platform multiplayer support that lets you play against friends on console, PC, and mobile devices with the same account
- A seasonal battle pass system that unlocks new players, kits, and stadiums instead of the one-time DLC packs that PES used to sell
Some of these changes were controversial when eFootball first launched, especially the battle pass monetization system. But by the 2023 edition, Konami had adjusted the progression system to be far more friendly to free-to-play players, so you don't have to spend any extra money to unlock all the core gameplay features. The only paid content is purely cosmetic, like special edition kits or custom stadium designs, so you never have to pay to win online matches.
Tips for PES Veterans Switching to eFootball 2023
If you're coming back to the franchise after taking a break following the end of the PES brand, there are a few small adjustments you can make to avoid the frustration that a lot of long-time fans feel when they first start playing eFootball 2023. A lot of players who ask is efootball 2023 pes expect the exact same gameplay as PES 2021, so they get annoyed when the controls feel different at first. First, spend at least 2 hours in the practice mode testing the new passing and shooting mechanics before you jump into online matches. The timing for both is completely different from PES 2021, so you'll probably miss a lot of easy passes and shots if you skip this step.
Don't waste all your in-game currency on high-rated players right away when you first start building your Dream Team. Lower-rated players with good stamina and passing stats are far more useful in eFootball 2023 than overpriced star players who get tired after 60 minutes of play. I made this mistake when I first started, and I lost 7 of my first 10 online matches because my star strikers couldn't keep up with the faster pace of online play. It's far better to build a balanced team with players that fit your preferred formation, instead of just buying the most famous names available.
You should also turn off the assisted passing and shooting settings if you used to play PES on manual or semi-manual mode. The default assisted settings are designed for new players, and they'll often make passes to players you didn't intend to target, which can lead to easy turnovers. Switching to semi-manual controls will make the game feel far more like the old PES titles you're used to, and it will give you far more control over how your team plays on the pitch.
Common Myths About eFootball 2023 and PES Debunked
There are a lot of false claims floating around online about the connection between eFootball 2023 and PES, so I wanted to clear up the most common ones I've seen in forums and social media groups. The first myth is that eFootball 2023 is a "cash grab" that has none of the features that made PES great. That's not true at all, especially after the 2023 updates fixed most of the bugs and missing features that plagued the initial 2021 eFootball launch. All the core game modes that PES fans loved are present, and Konami adds new content every month to keep the game feeling fresh.
The second big myth is that you have to spend money to be competitive in eFootball 2023 online matches. I've been playing the game for 18 months without spending a single cent on microtransactions, and I'm currently in the top 10% of online players in my region. You can earn enough in-game currency to build a very competitive team just by playing daily challenges and seasonal events, no real money required. The only people who spend money on the game are players who want to unlock cosmetic items faster, or who want to build their dream team in a couple of days instead of a couple of weeks.
The last myth I see all the time is that Konami abandoned all the old PES intellectual property when they rebranded to eFootball. That's not true either, you can still find all the classic club licenses, player likenesses, and even old PES soundtracks as unlockable content in eFootball 2023. Konami just shifted their focus to live service content instead of releasing a new full-priced game every year, which saves players money in the long run if they plan to play the game regularly.
At the end of the day, the question is efootball 2023 pes has a nuanced answer: it's the official successor to the PES franchise, but it has enough changes to feel like a distinct experience for long-time fans. If you loved old PES games for their tactical depth and realistic gameplay, you'll almost certainly enjoy eFootball 2023 once you get used to the new mechanics and controls. Even if you're completely new to football sims, it's a great free-to-play option that doesn't force you to spend money to have fun. Take the time to practice the new mechanics, build your team slowly, and you'll have a great time with it.