I think the main problem is now the degree of scripting in any one/all of the games you play, in both titles.
When I used to play PES, in the 5/6 era I played knowing that there was scripting in there in given situations. I knew for example, that if you play an Inter Milan in a semi final of a cup for example than the game would be hard. ANY errors in defence for example would almost certainly be jumped upon by the CPU and they would score with relenting accuracy from this. BUT, I always had the feeling that the end result would be based, by and large, down to the skill factor. I remember playing a Euro semi v Chelsea and it was rip roarer, I won 2-1 after going a goal behind early on, and I vividly remember it being one of the tensest games of my PES life. The last fifteen minutes was on onslaught from hell BUT I just about had the technical know-how to shut out the game and win...what a game!
Roll on 2012 - and it's been like this for a few years, but when I play both FIFA and PES right at this moment I honestly don't know if the game was pre-determined, made up, scripted, not-scripted, whether my inputs have been reflected accurately on screen or whether the CPU is making a very, very good movie in which I am just the passenger?!?
Honestly, some game seem as though I could just put the controller down and win one-nil, whilst others I'm playing some of my best PES/FIFA football and I lose royally. Take the other night, and this is indicative of a lot of the problems here.
On the PS3 I play with Chimps stuff and he's very good at what he does. BUT he CANNOT change the game dynamics eg scripting, only the stats and try and alter how the team plays etc. I played four wonderful games back to back, and I thought this is what it's all about, perhaps this blend of tactics/gamespeeds etc etc has made the game work...alas, I played a fifth game v FULHAM who were like a steroided Barce. Now I'm not saying they aren't a bad team, but they beat me 6-2!?! LOL
This was after games that were 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, etc.
They were simply unstoppable.
Four...YES FOUR, of Fulham's goals were those lobbed balls down the flank which your FB just cannot read, a whipped ball in where you're CB's move AWAY from the striker to leave an easy header. Each of their early goals was right after I had scored or equalised.
I even tried altering the defensive line, and then one of the balls just made me almost snap the disc, because I had put the defensive line so far back, it made the CPU play an impossible side through air ball, which stopped literally right in the corner kick circle lol, so that the ball could be whipped in and headed. There was one period of play, where the scripts went into overdrive and literally they played like a mesh of Barce/Brazil/Ajax.
It is SO frustrating when the game does play well for so long, and then the CPU just takes over. Then another game last night, where they scored another lobbed wing ball to head home in the third minute, and then I just could NOT break them down. I had lots of chances, their keeper played well, I hit the post, Gerrard missed improbable efforts etc etc.
So then I step back after winning another game easily 3-1 v Man City and wonder just what the fk am I doing with my time, and wondering whether or not the WHOLE thing is just one train that I'm a passenger on?!?
It's like that with FIFA also. Played three games against top teams, won quite easily. Then played some random, and the game goes skitz, lost 4-3 to Carlisle in the Cup where my defenders were pulled everywhere, every attack they looked like they were going to score, their forward was like Messi, only a better version, there were goals in the 45th minute, and the 90th etc etc.
Oh man, sometimes it's just all too much.
Seriously considering going back to PES6 peeps.
I don't know about you guys too, but I really couldn't give a shit about transfers anymore. I know years ago I would spent literally hours cherry picking the best buy for like 2 million quid, factoring in all the stats etc. I remember Wallner and then I signed this other guy who was atrocious but a monster in the air for aerial bombardment in the last ten minutes should I need it, but right now I really couldn't give a toss about the transfers.
Oh I don't know, perhaps I'm getting cynical. I have tried my best this year, I have spent hours and hours hours doing this and that to both games. I have a modded PC version which plays very well, but I love the comforts of my PS3. Chimps has done his best in slowing the game down but adding responsiveness, and I have spent hours fiddling with the sliders with FIFA to get a passable game.
BUT, I return to my original question?!?
I just get the feeling that I'm a passenger on a train with a pre-determined destination, and all I'm doing essentially is pressing a few buttons.
Why is it for example I almost always get knocked out of the Europa league in about ten started master league seasons?!? Why do WOLFSBURG always seem like Barce, and yet Man Utd get beaten easily??! These losing streaks/winning streaks are just suspicious too, it's as if they put the words in the game - you are on a losing streak just to emphasise the point that this is a period in the game where you're going to get f'ked over for a while regardless of your inputs.
What we have essentially on the PS3 is this -
FIFA - a more stable game in it's core fundamentals, but which ultimately is lifeless due to the terrible AI. Be prepared for 45/90 minutes goals, your defenders being pulled out of position, and lower league teams to play like Barce in cup games, and the dreaded momentum shifts.
PES - more random, more life, but more skitz. Some days the game plays like a dream, and then WHAM, the leveller, a game which renders you into a a frenzied serial killer state.
Time for a lay down....
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