Agreed. The movement, for movement's sake, is solid. On the ball, or just slightly near it, is superb. I've accepted that the game is just going to have to have those off-the-ball irregularities so not every game ends 0-0.
That's always the pipe-dream, right? To have decision making and off-the-ball movement mimic real life. Obviously we're a long way off from having it be indiscernible from real life, but I dare say it's paramount in taking football games to the next-level. Unfortunately, coding for such a dynamic sport while factoring in the second-to-second decision making of 22 individual players and a ball is tall order.
With that said, I believe there is always room for improvement, especially when some of the issues I see in FIFA and PES seem rectifiable because they're in a somewhat poor state. Granted, I'm no game developer. Simple, or in this context, fundamental aspects like awareness for loose balls, spacial awareness while defending, tracking player runs, cutting out passing lanes, providing outlets, and what have you can and should be a primary focus.
I hate to bring FIFA into the equation, but since this a discussion that's applicable to all football games, I figure it's acceptable. The amount of times I hurl obscenities at my screen when I'm on the ball and an AI teammate decides to sprint full pelt to within inches of the space I'm occupying/entering... well, it's high. Too high. How about when my teammate doesn't have the basic awareness to cover the most obvious of passing angles and it results in a preventable counter? My PES teammates and the player I control lack the basic awareness and anticipation to latch onto loose balls, or stick a leg in. Remember when your defenders used to track runners 15-yards offsides which resulted in them holding hands in your own box? I could go on and on about the off-the-ball issues of both games (you're aware of these issues more than most in the community), but you get my point. Both systems need to work in harmony to truly deliver a fantastic experience.
Like every year, it's all what ifs and hypothetical propositions, BUT, and it's a large BOOTY, if Konami
finally more or less nailed the on-the-ball aspects for 2018, it'll make improving the AI/off-the-ball mechanics that much easier going forward. Theoretically, of course. Again, programming for all of these variable for a frenetic sport like football must be a nightmare. Developers have my sympathy. For me, unless the off-the-ball side of the game is broken beyond belief, I'll take a highly improved on-the-ball football game as opposed to the reverse offering.
I've rambled. Anyway, I just hope that the game is good. Please be good.
