I have to admit i was the first to think i'll forget PES when RDR2 came out but i couldn't be more wrong.
Here's my experience:
Last thursday after work i came late home so i was waiting for RDR to unlock. I said shy not let's try a game of PES.
I started an Euros competition (i have always hated playing exhibition/pointless games) as England as I have not used England in PES19 before.
*10mins
*PA1
*Superstar (I have not yet unlocked Legend, meaning i have not even won 5 games in SS)
Other teams in group:
*Denmark
*Turkey
*France
1st game, against Denmark:
From the get-go it was feeling different, something about weight of the players, something about the AI presses. I found having little space in the last 3rd of the pitch, as i could tell they were only waiting for a long ball counter opportunity.
Their defenders were tough and no-nonsense attitude. Punting the ball everytime they've got it.
I got plenty of fouls from the AI and even they had a few cards (i believe 3 yellows).
min. 70ish i was able to get them on a defensive error and went straight to their keeper and HE CAME OUT the line, i almost miss the opportunity because this was so unexpected i might have shrieked a little.
I regained composure, ran around the keeper and scored easily with Sterling.
1-0 and was expecting an insane terminator-esque reaction from the AI but they were clearly out of gas. I kept the ball without pressing or making a lot of effort to score. Great great match, i felt strange it was so realistic.
Player weight, ball randomness, player attributes shining, intelligent AI.. was it placebo or Konami did deliver?
Anyway i booted up RDR and it controlled my videogame interests for a couple of days until i became a little bored from hunting and running away from bounty hunters.
2nd game, against Turkey (3 days later):
I remember clearly that when the game started the opposition AI came out running forward to press i was like WHOAH!
I regained calm and it was clear they came out with a do or die attitude, i was able to pick them on the counter and scored twice. I even had a couple of freekicks (scored 1) and had a PK which i scored in the end of the match.
4-0 but it felt like it wasn't that easy, i just fed on their desperation as they lost their opening game.
This game's result gets me through next round and sends them home.
i had to play the next game immediately, there is something about this game now..
Both teams faced i felt they played differently but maybe its due to not being tired or placebo, who knows
3rd game, against France
I "felt" i was "dominating" for the first 25-30 mins, but after a incredibly quick run from Mbappe and a rocket from his right foot i was 1-0. A scrambled ball after a corner made it 2-0, and 3-0 came after i panicked before the end of first half. I did not feel cheated but i fel overwhelmed by the French team.
I started 2nd half cautiosly trying to regain composure, but Kante/Pogba/their wingers had my players under control. I felt like a toothless lion, not being able to do a-ny-thing.
Mistake in the back and Mbappe made it 4 and then 5-0.
5-0 after just winning 4-0 in the last game.
I have to say i did not feel cheated, not even a little and not even for a bit of the game.
I guess this is what you get when facing such a strong team a start rushing your plays and making mistakes.
The world champions (as they proved in last WC) will punish you if you make a mistake.
I was off to knockout round anyway, second place of group.
4th game, round of 16 against Switzerland
this game was very very fun to play, i felt a little superior than them but they were giving a fair fight.
I won in 2nd extra time, sorry if the highlights video is dull.
It was a lot more fun than what the highlights show
5th game, round of 8 against Spain
Very hard game, they were tiki-taking the hell out of my team. However, i left no gaps for them to shoot.
I was able to shoot a few times but i was contained.
Before the end of the match Diego Costa got a rebound in the area and nailed it, no chance to come back.. Rodrigo was subbed in for Costa and he kept the ball in a corner the little bastard!
0-1, i can not complain, got narrowly beat by a better team.
At this point i weent to bed and i started playing RDR again the following days, it was until yesterday that i retried playing that 5th match (i have autosave ON)
5th game, quarterfinals against Spain, v2.0
I had the exact same feeling, tiki taka was having them running circles around my players.
Did not felt cheated or robotic, this was marvelous. I managed to go to penalties with no goals in regular/extra time.
I shit you not, i parried the first 3 and scored the first 3.
Off to semis!
6th game, semifinals against Portugal
this game felt a lot like the vs Switzerland but with Cristiano Ronaldo upfront.
He would shoot EVERYTIME you give him half a meter. they scored first, then i scored twice, then they leveled.
Their second goal was a rocket from way out, courtesy of CR of course.
I was about to go to Overtime, and i was defending a Corner (usually easy to defend) when i mistakengly pressed square twice. Walker tripped Quaresma and they got a penalty at the 88th.
CR scored it easily and left me no chance to come back.
I was beaten fair and square.
I am left with this feeling i cannot remember when was the last time or if i even had it before with any PES title.
I want more. Game feels like it should and im in love with it. Plus, RDR2 is lovely as well.. what a time to be alive!
I have only been thinking what team to use in a ML.
Should i start in L2 or in championship? Start in southamerica? China? Russia? Use a created team?
Download a MLS option file?
OMG i do not how to start this adventure! Im guessing in lower leagues/shittier teams the strategies will be similar and most of the teams will play the same, im a little afraid of that.
Have you tried and had good tesults from the AI?