Alight guys. Having played the demo quite a bit, with the different teams, I would like to share what I feel. Looking forward to some honest feedback, opinions and debate (after all, this is a discussion thread).
Firstly, I think a lot of people are approaching this game having their own expectations of how the game should be like. That is fair enough, it is human nature after all. However, everyone is gonna have their own expectations of how it should be. And there is no game that is perfect and that can please everybody.
I found that this year's game is a whole new experience. I've had to relearn everything I knew bout PES up till now. There is just so much nuance, so much freedom, and the whole game feels totally different. I guess a few guys here would agree with me when i say that.
More than ever before, the kind of "posture" your player is in would determine the execution of a pass or shot. For example, many have complained about the weak shots. I've had quite a number of experiences with that as well. But I realise it was to do with the way my player was positioned, which foot he was striking it with, with what kinda power etc. All of that really comes into play in this game. It's really realistic in that aspect, which some might not prefer of course.
And the passing system is just a joy. I guess the reason why I find it so likeable is because I personally have always wanted something like that to be in the game, and for the first time I'm experiencing it. As for defence, you've gotta time everything to perfection. You can't just barge into the players and expect to win the ball cleanly. You have to wait for the precise moment to stick a leg in, if not there would be a foul called. Which brings me to a negative;the CPU makes too many niggling fouls like that. They are all correctly called by the ref yes, but I do wish the CPU players would time their tackles properly lol.
Scoring goals brings a kind of satisfaction I havent felt before. Granted in previous editions of the game, scoring a goal does feel good, but in this game, it's more of knowing that what happened on screen was exactly how you intended it to be in your head. To see your players pulling off moves and passes and then putting one in the net, exactly how you wanted them to, brings a different kinda joy, even if the goals arent spectacular.
Before anybody accuses me of being a fanboy, I admit the game does have its flaws. The number of fouls by the CPU for one, and certain times stupid things happening with the GK. But which game is without flaws? To those expecting a perfect game, I say you should really reconsider because there is no such thing as a perfect game. To those expecting it to feel like PES 5/6, maybe you should drop that mindset and look at it as a new game. The older PES were great, but they are their own games. This year is an entirely different ball game altogether, and thats how I've approached it. However, everything I've said above is my opinion of course, and you are al entitled to agree or disagree with it. Just hope to hear some feedback and your thoughts on what I've shared. And sorry for going on and on! Cheers!