I've read most of the posts and I can't stop laughing at whoever thought the fifa08 demo played better, pes is still the better game, but what i hated is how easy its to score from headers.
And now we're all laughing back.
I have now played the Fifa08 demo on all 3 machines and if you are judging next-gen Fifa from the PC then don't, cos it isn't. You need to play either 360 or PS3, I prefer the 360 version as it feels a touch more responsive and the pad is better. Remember, Fifa is using analogue controls so the poor D-Pad on the 360 is irrelevant.
What you also have to do (and I think this is the tough one for all the PES players) is turn
all the assists off. Passing, crossing, through balls and shooting can all be totally manual... you know, like real football. If you play like that then the game feels totally different.
If you play it with the assists on then the passing goes to the player which can slow the pace right down, the players have to collect the ball and then pick up momentum again. If you are playing on manual, you get used to passing in front of the player meaning your players pick the ball up at full speed, thus keeping their pace up. You also need to use the triggers and the right stick for extra control, receiving the ball with a trigger pressed has a different reaction to no triggers. Same with dribbling, the left trigger isn't just for tricks.
The thing about the Fifa engine is it relies on momentum and realistic direction changes. No more flicking through 180 degrees, you have to think about how you are running and change direction to keep up momentum. It's probably too hard because it is more like how we naturally move. Everyone has got too used to ice football where you can change direction and speed at will.
What I laughed at most in this thread was the comment from Larcos about the menus looking slick... I wouldn't use that as my placeholder artwork, I've seen XBLA games with better presentation. Konami's presentation skills are almost as bad as their commentary... almost.
I find it most funny that for years everyone has praised PES for being "realistic" and this year, when it has swung the other way, everyone suddenly prefers the arcadey gameplay.
I consider myself lucky that blind loyalty doesn't ruin my enjoyment of games. But after playing both demos, I can't find anything that would make me consider buying PES but I can find plenty to make me want to buy Fifa.