I get this overriding feeling it will be the same as most years.A lot of people will migrate over to fifa in the early days because of the instant gratification,goals galore,no fouls and fast paced end to end gameplay.Hyper realised with a compact pitch which is totally geared for goals.Despite all the improvements it’s still to easy to just get the ball in the final third and just turn defenders and score.The pace is to quick even on slow.Animation cycles are sped up,the ball sticks to the players and there’s barely any error.Presentation is off the scale though,as is the fun factor and level of refinement.It’s a great example of what can be achieved with a game engine over a period of 5 years.It is fun but it’s also relentless and when the cpu wants to turn it on and score,it will.Again and again.
Konami on the other hand have finally created a simulation again with physical defending at its heart and a learning curve.Tactics that now work properly,AI that is genuinely convincing.It closes space.Knows when to sit off,when to press.Goals aren’t easy to score and your forced to be patient and work the ball.Using the long ball and more varied lofted passes are a requirement.You can’t just rely on ground passes and keeping it short.There’s also a raft of tactical options that currently in the demo are turned off.The ones that are there though,work.You can clearly see it,even with something as simple as a quick counter.
Ive not read anyone talk about how good the motion matching is.Last night.I struck a bicycle kick from a cross and my player watched the ball the whole time,setting his feet perfectly by taking tiny steps back before the executing the motion.He didn’t slide back,and the whole process looked real and natural.I did catch the replay on my phone but can’t get the file to display even though it attaches on this site.I can show countless examples of long balls,how effective they are.As well as examples of the variation on crosses and how setting tactics to going at wide means you have forwards attacking dangerous areas in the box to receive the ball.
There’s also the improvements to manual shooting.How now you can hit low shots more effectively now.Ive also seen dip and curl and shooting is now more contextual.Based on the animation and player body and foot position.Not a button command.
There’s definelty more subtlety with the ball when passing,it’s more free and quick passes on manual between players creates more energy and momentum in the ball.Ive read people say it’s to slow.I disagree,I think it’s easy to overhit,underhit,and again.There’s a contextual element between the animation and foot position of the player,timing is key.
Another thing I also want to highlight is the amount of free kicks I’ve been awarded.And giving away myself.I don’t remember this many in many a year.Although the collision animations are choppy and clearly in need of a little tidying up.The system works and it’s quite refreshing to be taking a lot of free-kicks outside of the box.
This game needs quite bit of polish.Improvements to response l,but overall it’s closer to a simulation then many a modern pes has been.I’m really impressed.Despite the wonky build we are all playing,there’s some real promise here.
Has it come in a era where instant gratification is king.Or is there still a place in the market for a more well rounded,intricate,representation of the sport.