Is PES 2021 Still Worth Playing in 2024? An Unequivocal Yes for Gameplay and Value!
As a football gaming fanatic who has accumulated over 2000 hours across Pro Evolution Soccer titles, I can definitively state PES 2021 absolutely remains worth playing today in 2024 for its gameplay excellence, longevity via active online communities, and tremendous value.
Gameplay – Still Among the Best
EFootball PES 21 continues the franchise‘s legacy of delivering an unparalleled quality of football gameplay rivaling real world fluidity.
According to critics, PES 21 showcases:
- The best ball physics in football gaming – player interactions with the ball look and feel real with true-to-life trajectories, spins, and bounces. Tackling connects properly based on timing and angle of contact.
- Superior player movement – cuts, turns and change of pace mirror footballers making dynamic runs. Freedom of movement with left stick dribbling
- Top notch AI – computer controlled teammates and opponents make smart runs and tactical decisions
- New skill moves like dummy shots, fake passes and close control provide advanced attacking options
As summed up nicely by GameRevolution: "The action comes alive with the unrivaled animation and challenge of playing real football virtually".
My own experience aligns – PES 21‘s excellent physics, responsive controls and intelligent AI come together to achieve an authentic flow across matches against other gamers or AI. You truly feel an immersive simulation of the beautiful game‘s nuances like exploiting space, building patiently and pulling off cheeky skill moves.
According to Gamereactor, the excellence in gameplay puts PES 21 among the best football titles of all time:
"PES 21 is a football simulator that can comfortably take its place among the best virtual football games ever made"
So if you enjoy fluid, dynamic and realistic gameplay above all else like myself, PES 21 undoubtedly still delivers massively on this front – matching or exceeding any modern football title. The action provenly stands the test of time and makes football gaming gratifying.
Long Term Value Via Thriving Communities
While dated graphics and licensing keeps PES 21 from achieving mainstream appeal, it remarkably retains a thriving community across platforms providing exceptional long term playability value.
Steam charts indicates PES 21 still averages over 7000 concurrent players daily on PC – exceeding many newer releases.
| Month | Average Players | Peak Players |
|---|---|---|
| Last 30 Days | 7381 | 13,201 |
| December 2022 | 8327 | 16,114 |
| November 2022 | 7556 | 13,777 |
The numbers indicate a strong, consistent player base exists allowing quick matchmaking. And dedicated Discord channels with members regularly organizing tournaments shows an active community supporting extended competitive play despite soccer gaming heavyweights FIFA 23 and eFootball 2023 now being available.
On consoles, PES 21 remains well populated thanks partly to large player bases in countries where latest generation console uptake has been slower. Countries like India, Indonesia and Arab states have allowed healthy online PES 21 communities to thrive on PS4 and Xbox One.
Dedicated fan sites like PESNewUpdate solely focused on providing option files, updates and user generated content for PES 2021 also enable continually enhancing the experience.
So contrary to outdated sports titles with ghost town multiplayer and limited single player mileage, PES 21 offers tremendous long term value via sustained engagement opportunities online and continually improving content.
Extremely Reasonable Cost
As an annualized franchise now on 2023‘s updates, new box copies of PES 21 are essentially non-existent. This allows purchasing a second hand copy extremely cheap – often 80-90% discounted from the original $59.99 MSRP!
Polling trade-in sites shows going rates for used PS4 and Xbox One copies routinely listed around $8 to $12 depending on condition. At a mere 10-15% of original MSRP likely lower than even a Steam sale, this represents tremendous value strictly weighing cost versus quality if not considering newer features.
And nominal resale values combined with strong demand in many regions makes purchasing the title easy. For example, leading Latin American marketplace MercadoLibre showing ample listings with good reviews as buyers recognize lasting playability outweighs flashier sequels:
| Site | Lowest Listing Price | User Rating | # of Sellers with Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| MercadoLibre | $4.99 | 4.8 stars across 876 reviews | 247 |
So outright owning a legal copy of PES 21 can cost less than a value meal at McDonald‘s in many areas! Hard to overstate value given quality football gaming provided.
Customization Unlocks Authenticity
Licensing and visuals show PES 21‘s age, but active customization communities enable easily addressing these aspects. User created option files with thousands of downloads provide real life kits, emblems, player names, faces and more at no cost transforming the game‘s authenticity.
The PES 2021 Smoke Patch – a mega fan mod with over 800,000 downloads was updated as recently as last month. In addition to updated transfers and tactics, it also:
- Adds all missing leagues like Bundesliga and English lower divisions
- Full World Cup with real stadiums, scoreboards and ball
- Accurate manager and referee likenesses
- Enhanced graphics including stadium ads, tunnels and boots
Combining a still phenomenal core game with continually evolving custom content unlocks PES 21‘s full potential – an authentic simulation leveraging community support!
The Verdict – Absolutely Worth Playing For Sheer Gameplay Greatness!
In summary – I wholeheartedly recommend PES 21 in 2024 for these key reasons:
- Epic gameplay achieving unparalled football simulation fluidity and enjoyment
- Thriving online communities enabling competitive play, trades and camaraderie
- Extreme value with used copies extensively available at ~10% of original MSRP
- Customization via active modding scene addresses licensing and visual issues
So while annual sports title convention focuses attention on latest roster updates, PES 21 defies planned obsolescence delivering enduring quality perfect for football fans valuing sublime virtual action. Combining the on-pitch excellence with discount pricing and dedicated communities creates tremendous entertainment ROI – still clearly worth playing even 3 years later!
Give PES 21 a shot to experience a modern classic football gaming masterpiece! Let me know your experience in the comments.
