You need to be smart on attack and defense. What was slightly amusing was that players would run into each other and fall over, like in real life. The ability to cut off a passing lane while sending an AI player to the other team is good, but I wish there was a function to hold the ball up more, or have more control of how your player takes a touch, rather than them being just good or bad at it by their general position. It also punishes you for square passing, as it should, so you have to be creative. Things can get scrappy on the field, and players won’t just automatically run to the ball if it’s a bit of a mess, so you have to be switched on and make sure you’re always heading to it. This is perfect for those aforementioned tricky players, because bobbing and weaving through the box is a dream. When playing against a real player, I found their defenders did position themselves somewhat too well, so it’s hard to break them down unless you’re taking a shot outside the box. However, I still think shooting lacks a little punch. Shooting demands precision, as it has for several games. Stadiums look beautifully rendered and the changing lighting effects during each game add a lot of weight. When the replays kick in, utilizing TV-style angles, it’s difficult to distinguish it from reality.
With the team focusing just on current-gen consoles and PC (which means no PS3 or Xbox 360 this year), it allows players to look extremely detailed. Graphically, the FOX engine really does PES justice. It may take a few goes, but getting the power and accuracy just right is satisfying, leading to some quality goals. Success depends on your position, which is especially true for crosses. Passing requires more accuracy - you can’t just hit pass and hope. Because if your players are tired, so are your opponents, giving you a chance to exploit their weakness.Īs always, PES does demand more care and attention that its competitors. This is made easier by the inclusion of in-game quick subs with a few button presses. It forces you to think a little more tactically, knowing who you want to sub. 60-70 mins into the game, players will be sluggish, bent over, hands on hips. It’s their skill and ability that lets you glide along the pitch.īut all that skillful play and tearing apart the enemy defense will leave you a little tired, which is where visible fatigue comes in. You may have the strength, but you need to feed the ball into the midfield and beyond to players like Salah and Mané. Trapping the ball with a defender, while doable, isn’t going to allow you to go off into a blistering run. Sitting down with the demo, it’s immediately noticeable when playing with a team like Liverpool. Players will also discover the cross-over turn, double touch, and more in their arsenal, allowing you greater autonomy when building your squad to fit your preferred style. They’ll also have unique skills, such as Firmino's signature no-look pass. The likes Messi and Firmino will possess distinct agility and movement, helping them stand out from the crowd. The focus for this year’s PES is player individuality. FC Barcelona, in particular Philippe Coutinho, will be brand ambassador, in addition to global footballing icon David Beckham.
Despite the loss of the Champions League license, Pro Evo promises more fully licensed leagues and stadiums, club-licensed partnerships, and new Legends players from days gone by.