I'm finding 2012 on the PS3 just superb lately. I'm even finding the CPU build up play varied and interesting once my formations and tactics have been implemented. On Superstar, you really, really have to know your apples in terms of pressing (or not) positional play, hold up play and tackling.
The full plethora of real life 'in game situations' is contained here in PES. For example, one aspect that I have really learned this last few months is breaking up the play with fouls and cards. On Superstar, this is vital for success. The second thing (which becomes abundantly clear when you view the latest Barce games) is that possession means jack shit. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that if I'm getting 60-65% possession, thrn I'm doing something wrong. One of the keys to 2012 is variety in your play. Are you passing the ball when you could be carrying it into space? Are you running when there is support? Are you being counter attacked all the time? Could this be because you have too many strikers, and are not cramming the midfield? For me, and the style of play that I choose, the key to the game isn't controlling the pitch just outside the CPU's penalty area, invariably they would have choked you into a point where the crowd of players is dense; but rather controlling the game in the area of the pitch 30 yards out. Here you can really make your possession game work if you wish, or you opt for long balls (cross field or into the box).
What PES does fantastically well is do what football IRL does well. In that to get from defence to attack is relatively easy if you want just field position, but to be able to play an effective game this rarely works. In fact is far better to work the CPU about the pitch between say 30 yards out and the halfway line.
For me, players fall into a number of traps.
Like any game of football, the game will invariably fall into three categories.
1) The balanced game - where the CPU sets out its formation and the game is a cautiously to and fro encounter enabled by your tactics AND the CPUs'
2) CPU park the bus/counter - here the CPU will play a very cautious defensive game, and look to counter with faster attackers. THIS IS THE GAME THAT PLAYERS I BELIEVE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH. The tips I would say is that this type of game requires total patience and slow probing. In this type of game, don't look to get players trigger running in front of players, you are opening yourself up completely to the counter. Make sure you have enough central midfield man power to combat the quick counters. Don't look to over attack too fast. Invariably, the art of this type of game is to probe patiently, with the objective of finding that one moment in the second half. Remember, that the first goal in these type of matches is crucial, because if the CPU gets it from YOUR over-committal and non-patience, then to break them down twice for the win is going to be a huge task.
3) The CPU all out attack - this game 'I' look to counter. I cram the midfield, and narrow the pitch. I sacrifice artistic flair and an abundance of strikers for good support players, and wait for my moment to stream forward.
There are other caveats to playing the CPU, especially with regards to the 'park the bus' game. I believe many players look to pick their best XI v the CPU, and this normally hinge around picking the best two or three forwards at your disposal. This will not work in 2012. Leaving the midfield a vacant war zone will end in a disastrous end to end slug fest. Another alternative to playing the CPU park the bus game in an oppressive patient fashion, is to drop deep yourself, thereby inviting CPU players to cross the half way line, committing men forward, and eventually opening up the game.
The bottom line is, is that tactically this year's game keeps me on my toes each and every game. For the first time ever in fact, I have to weigh up and sacrifice better players for players that can get the job done, and fit into my philosophy. I've never cared about this before, I've never had to. I've always just shaped the game around me. I've always just spanked the lower teams and had decent games against the top two or three teams, now it's game on each and every game with different teams giving me different problems. QPR for example are giving me constant ball ache with Tarabt and their very direct style of play, so now I look to pack the midfield and shut them out, make them go down the sides where they are less effective.
I love this years PES. One of the biggest other pluses is just the pace of the games. I play on -2 gamespeed. But the way the game tempo is within the game, is just superb. There can be out an out end to end slug fests, slow technical games, scrappy games, flowing games etc etc.
An example would be a Europa clash yesterday, it was slow, lethargic, painstaking affair, from start to finish. Both myself and the CPU just cancelled each other out and I was happy with an away 0-0 (this is on 20 minute game). I then had a game were Newcastle went all out attack against me, I changed my tactics to hit them on the break and play deeper, and won 2-1, great game. Then a 'normal' game in the league, of equal risk/reward between me and Villa.
The bottom line is the game is varied in so many ways that to date, I believe it's the best footy game in any series. It's only when I switch to FIFA do I begin to appreciate the intricacy and variation that makes this years game great.
