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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCritics gave eFootball PES 2021 Season Update a mixed-to-average reception. Metacritic’s all-platform page displays a 73 Metascore from 27 critic reviews in its 2026 snapshot; its PS4 critic page also displays 73, but lists 28 reviews. Review excerpts often praise the football on the pitch while questioning how much changed, the completeness of launch content and the value for players who already owned PES 2020.
What score did critics give PES 2021?
Metacritic’s all-platform page displays a 73 Metascore, labelled “Mixed or Average,” from 27 critic reviews in its 2026 snapshot. It classifies 13 reviews as positive and 14 as mixed, with none negative. The PS4 critic page also displays a 73, but lists 28 reviews: 13 positive, 14 mixed and zero negative. These are aggregator classifications and page snapshots, not a new assessment of the reviews.
The review totals differ between the two pages, so the score should be cited with its platform or page and snapshot context rather than treated as a single, timeless review count. See the all-platform Metacritic page for its displayed aggregate.
What did critics like and dislike?
Gameplay drew praise
The captured review excerpts point to the central strength: the match experience. Finger Guns’ PS4 review excerpt, listed September 21, 2020, praised both the football and the season-update approach: “This Season Update experiment makes you wonder why this hasn’t been the norm for football games for years. If this is the future of the genre, sign me up. EA should be looking over their shoulder. PES has retaken the crown.” This is an outlet-attributed excerpt, not a quotation attributed to a named critic.
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- Season update - updated version of last year's title, efootball PES 2020, providing latest player data and Club rosters some of which will be available via updates at launch and after (Internet connection required)
- Exclusive uefa euro 2020 content - ahead of the real-life Tournament in 2021, official uefa euro 2020 content will be included at launch; featuring the offline uefa euro 2020 Tournament mode, all 55 uefa national teams
- Iconic moment series - Relive and recreate memorable moments from the Career of current and former football Superstars with this new my Club series
- Efootball points - starting with efootball PES 2021, A new franchise-wide loyalty program will be introduced; earn efootball points by playing the latest game, then spend on various in-game items and used across all platforms
- Includes game and full disc, does not need eFootball PES ’20 to play
Limited change and content were concerns
Other excerpts balance praise for gameplay against disappointment with innovation. LaPS4’s excerpt, listed November 3, 2020, said: “eFootball PES 2021 Season Update is a title that impresses us in gameplay and at the same time disappoints us in innovation. We expected much more from the great Konami in this installment.” Additional displayed excerpts describe limited content, roster data that was not fully updated at launch, and an uncertain value proposition for returning players. These themes recur in the captured excerpts, but they are not a unanimous verdict from every reviewer.
Why was PES 2021 called a Season Update?
Konami announced eFootball PES 2021 Season Update as a standalone release built around the features and gameplay of eFootball PES 2020, with new-season player and club data and UEFA EURO 2020 content. It launched on September 15, 2020, for PS4, Xbox One and PC Steam; Konami said the Steam release began at 17:00 UTC. The company also warned that some league and license updates would arrive in a day-one patch or a later Data Pack because several league seasons had ended late. Details are in Konami’s launch announcement.
Rank #2
- Season update PES 2021 is an updated version of last year's title, efootball PES 2020, providing the latest player data and Club rosters. Due to the delayed Season endings for many leagues, the latest data for certain licensed leagues and teams will be available via updates at launch and after (Internet connection required)
- exclusive UEFA Euro 2020 content ahead of the real life tournament in 2021, the official UEFA Euro 2020 content will be included at launch in PES 2021. Featuring the offline UEFA Euro 2020 tournament Mode, all 55 UEFA National teams, Wembley Stadium and more, This is the best way to simulate the tournament before and after its Summer debut
- iconic moment series relive and recreate memorable moments from the careers of current and former football Superstars with this new myClub series
- partner Club editions For the first time, fans will be able to purchase special Club editions of PES 2021 through digital platforms. Available for FC Barcelona, juventus, Manchester United, FC Bayern and arsenal FC, the all new Club editions will include exclusive club specific content such as myClub squads, iconic moment series players, unique kits, branded menus and more
That release structure helps explain the mixed response: reviewers could enjoy the underlying football while still questioning whether the smaller step forward justified a new purchase. GameSpot’s pre-release report also described the game as a season update rather than a full annual overhaul; its release-era pricing context is historical.
Was PES 2021 worth buying?
The answer depended in part on whether a player already owned PES 2020. For returning owners, the key trade-off was updated season data and UEFA EURO 2020 content against the limited changes and launch-content concerns noted in reviews. For newcomers, the release offered the PES 2020 gameplay foundation as a standalone game, but the captured excerpts do not establish a universal buying verdict.
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Rank #3
- myClub returns for PES 2021, where players aim to sign the stars to build a team to compete for world glory
- With myClub coins you can get there faster, with better access to the stars and managers.
Konami’s US announcement listed historical suggested retail prices of $29.99 for the Standard Edition and $34.99 for each of five digital Club Editions. The Standard Edition was sold physically and digitally. Those are launch-era US prices, not current market prices or evidence of present availability. For a comparison with another annual soccer release, weigh the on-pitch assessment, changes from the prior edition, launch roster and license completeness, value for returning versus new players, and the platform-specific review record.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platforms and content rating
The ESRB lists the game for Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It assigns an E for Everyone rating with the descriptors Users Interact and In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items). Its content description identifies soccer simulation, online tournament, kick-off, training, team management and in-game purchases. See the ESRB rating listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- myClub returns for PES 2021, where players aim to sign the stars to build a team to compete for world glory
- With myClub coins you can get there faster, with better access to the stars and managers.
Rank #4
- myClub returns for PES 2021, where players aim to sign the stars to build a team to compete for world glory
- With myClub coins you can get there faster, with better access to the stars and managers.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.



