Hello everyone. The day Konami begins with the arrival in beautiful premises in Windsor with journalists from TF1, GameSpot, So Foot, France Football member at Konami and two other players.
First we had the right to a meeting with John Murphy, Adam Bhatti, a Japanese which I forgot the name (probably the right arm Masuda) and Kai Masuda, who was videoconference from Japan.
At this gathering was discussed novelties, MASS, Heart ... which was read during videos with Kai Masuda. Therefore, nothing new when we watched these videos except the Heart. Indeed, it was explained to us that a player can be assigned an arrow shape in a game based on the behavior of the public. He really talked about red arrow in some cases, thus the performance of the player concerned will be improved dramatically. The other point to note is that the notes in this version are not definitive.
Then we were invited to test Pes 2014 for 2 hours. When you turn the console there is a little disappointment because the proposed version offers only 2 teams (Bayern Munich and Santos). In addition, I learned that the English team could play a version with Italy, France, Spain. The proposed version (75%) was probably constrained to lighten up the code. Therefore, the training menu was reduced to a minimum with a constant lag, the players cards were not activated and strategies with 2 L2 were busy times at random. Too bad for husking training menu and off you go for a first game.
Once you start a game you quickly realize we changed era in graphic terms. The game is really good and the graphics engine allows us to offer a more coherent than the previous games together. The contacts are intense, defenders do not hesitate to push a striker when the need arises. It is therefore necessary to have players with a decent balance otherwise tripping rapidly. The animations are much better passing game, the player concerned makes a real jump and smash the ball a little image of a CR7.
The game speed is not slow but the controls make the game (too) slow. One has the impression that players need 10 seconds to control and move properly. This is probably the subtle center of gravity but what is frustrating to see players struggling to make simple directions. Thus, loss of ball are very numerous and the pace is in very choppy at first meetings.
Another novelty of the gameplay is the speed burst that is activated by pressing 2 times R1. One could compare this to a new kind of nitro car for tuning. This element is interesting because it is available with the ball but also in the game without the ball. It allows a nice rush that lasts a few seconds to get the better of his opponent. It is therefore necessary to be reflective about its use.
The guards are catastrophic and it is an understatement. Yet at the meeting we were told that the guardians of the E3 version had been improved. What a shock to hear that and see on the ground that it is simple studs once you are in the penalty area. However, there are two positives for the porters. First hand clearances have been improved significantly. They can perform clearances hand of 30 or 40m fast. Second, when you decide to put the ball on the ground (with R1) is almost immediate while in 2013 it was not until the guard finishes his coffee to put the ball on the ground.
The defense seems more intelligent compared to the previous installment. Their investment is less risky but it could still be improved. The game is played out quickly which allows to trap the opponent. The pressing 3 players is interesting, but the two players helping us to take the ball are completely apathetic. They look forward without reacting, I think it would be different in future versions.
Dotted lines on set pieces for me is a big mistake. On the first kick I took I scored with Robben as I did not know the gauges. With a little practice scoring a free kick will be child's play when in reality it is very complicated except when called Juninho. The second thing that worries me about these concerns dotted corners. Indeed, direct corners seem possible. I hit the crossbar several times but again with practice the danger is enormous. It is possible to activate and deactivate these dotted with R1 but there is no point to disable this helps when trying to score at all costs. Regarding this new I'm not at all convinced.
The cross with the circle button are really interesting on the width of the field or on some diagonals. I tried to make a cross with two time round but I think this feature was not implemented in this version.
The shots are hitting but occasionally one has the feeling of playing with a beach ball. This is especially true when making strikes coils (square R2) when is parallel to the goal. It is impossible not to be consistent with this striking in this position. Even 20m putting the dipstick hole without the problem you catch with a dignified path of Tsubasa.
Dribbling are currently a mystery to me. In fact, the kick feint with square cross is totally useless when it was paramount in 2013. The most striking and effective dribbling are those from Fifa, I do not know the name of these dribbles unfortunately. Overall it is very difficult to remove in one against one which is normal with little playing time
Calls ball is again very important in this game. Handling has changed this year must be L1 + R3 which takes a little more time than R3. This operation is identical to its supporters as an alternative to traditional L1 button. It is more complicated to the last defender to overcome any deep pass, which is the fearsome weapon of Pes 2014.
It is for me the black spot of the game because the depths with L1 triangle are surgical precision. People who moan about Pes 2013 abuse and the effectiveness of this happening will break their TV on 2014. The password is programmed to be perfect, sometimes in unlikely positions which makes much less interesting parts. Almost all the goals I've seen are caused an L1 triangle that shows how the game is based on it.
About the network I think Adam made a small gaffe for 11 vs 11. Indeed, it would be a proposed only for BAL mode. Personally I expected to compete for 11vs11 with friends, like that proposed Fifa, but a priori it is not the case.
Conclusion
I'm really not convinced by this version. Teams Kai Masuda decided to take a fairly significant shift compared to Pes 2013. I sincerely believe that Konami will lose a certain type of player to convince another. I look forward to the final version because this kind of release is too far from the "real" Pes 2014 too frustrating by locking all the game options
PS: My resume is not very well organized but I've done better.
PS2: I probably forgot some elements so do not hesitate to ask questions.
Nabs