If PES2011 was very much an ‘’ideas’’ game in which just about anything was worth consideration and dropped into the gameplay mixing pot with mixed and sometimes downright confusing results (scratches head at thought of penalty system), then PES2012 is a product born of some much needed streamlining and refinement of said ideas. However, more added stability to the foundations of the previous offering and a cheeky wee boost of technical assets are all well and good but will equate to no more than an incremental update and sometimes that can prove to be enough but fans of the series have demanded more. The WEP team have thus had to innovate to set their labour of love apart from what has come before and yet still retain the series proud and much loved roots. No pressure then, Seabass – san.

The game has to be won out on the pitch and it is here where the WEP team have opted for the pragmatic approach when it comes to innovation and improvements, but that is not to say that what has been prioritised for PES2012 out on the lush digital turf aren’t significant game – changers in their own right. Quite the opposite is true in actual fact as instead of looking to wow it’s audience with glitzy, showy, sizzle that is always going to be desirable for any game in any genre, PES2012 preaches core gameplay and football fundamentals with Active AI being the driving force behind it all.

Actual Intelligence?

When first announced even the most optimistic of series fans couldn’t help but think back to TeamVision and what it…actually, what did it do again? Anyway, fear not as Active AI would appear to be the real deal and offers a pretty stern test of ones ability – even on Professional skill level in these early days – so get ready to swallow your pride. Active AI is not completely perfect in its implementation but there is a rather handy set of tools at the player’s disposal that can (with practice) help address this which will be touched on later.

Over-lapping full backs, midfielders making themselves available of an easy pass, forwards making subtle movements in order to invite that killer through ball – all these off-the-ball basics that define the team game are all present for your consideration when in possession. It isn’t just realised in a basic, geometric fashion either as players will look to make diagonal runs/movements and even check them should they venture offside. This will sound awfully contradictory but such is the quality of the Active AI that it isn’t something that leaps out the screen at you at all times. Maybe that could be down to those 30 plus years of playing and watching the sport that has this player happy to accept that this is how football simply is and should be, but then it does eventually hit you that this level of intelligent movement has never been seen before in a football videogame, at least not in the way PES2012 performs.

Of course, this is PES we are talking about and player – as well as team – individuality is key, so it is very satisfying to see it manifest in this new AI system. A player like Xavi or Pirlo not only feel more commanding under your control due to the what is happening around them and their god-given eye for a pass, but that they also display real life characteristics in how they position themselves during build up and even defensive play. The defensive game has also reaped the benefits by showing an all round better awareness with team mates doing a nice job in positional play, cutting off passing angles, making interceptions and containing, though they can go to sleep on crosses and requires you to concede that the ball in to the box is going to happen on occasion and you are best to try and mark up or utilise manual ‘keeps to improve their positioning; fiddly but it can work .

It may very well be something of a hard sell but the AI advancements in PES2012 are really quite something though if there is one little concern regards the AI it would be that when the CPU plays as one of the better teams they can be a little too direct and don’t fully utilise the passing options around them. One for those obsessive tactical guru’s in the community to no doubt crack using a tactics and formations screen similar in layout to last year, only with the possibility with up to four on-the-fly formation/tactics set-ups now available to the player (Tip :  Commit to D-Pad or stick control alone in order to free up an easier method to change tactics during the match). The tactical sandbox is still very much in place and still rewards those who explore what it can offer, so worry not.

Manual Override!

As stated previously the AI isn’t perfect and sometimes you don’t quite get that movement you are looking for from your team mates, forwards in particular. This is where the somewhat controversial addition of team mate controls adds another user controlled layer to off-the-ball movement. Fans shouldn’t have worried about it compromising the stability of the game in all honesty, not because it doesn’t work (it does and can be very useful) but it is bloody demanding and will for many feel somewhat unintuitive. Good! Pointing and clicking on the right stick to select a player to make a run (and in the case of manual control, moving the secondary player) is a test of dexterity but looking at it in a positive light, at least it will curb any spamming of the mechanic and ensures the game doesn’t regress into simply trying to bludgeon through an opposition defence. Well, one would guess that is theory and time will only tell if this proves to be the case. Not an essential addition as was suggested by some but run prompts are now present in a PES title, and this off-the-ball control also extends to set-pieces with them proving rather handy for throw-ins and corners, if not so much free-kicks unless you want to play short or into feet.

Player individuality is possibly the best it has ever been in any football game, bar perhaps defenders you don’t expect to be that good with the ball at their feet looking and feeling a little too comfortable in control, though it is perhaps a necessary compromise to maintain fluidity. Players such as former cover star Messi and current cover stars Ronaldo and Neymar are represented spectacularly and are a joy to control but technical players such as Iniesta, Silva and Modric amongst others are arguably the real stars. Dribbling mechanics are straight forward on the face of it but – in conjunction with stats influence – hide huge depth. Technical players truly shine in PES2012 as do quick, direct dribblers. It’s all about mastering the new burst mechanic with the right player, shifting and shielding the ball and using quick stop and go. The sidestep dribble can still feel a little too locked-in, with exits lacking some response. Tricks? All present and correct from last year but such is the influence of stats over the very deep ‘basic’ dribbling controls a must learn they are not.

It is pretty daunting facing up to all the games excellently realised individuals, especially given the demands of the new defensive controls, which come with a very steep learning curve that can have you thinking the system might be broken initially. After hours upon hours of play it does finally click and becomes deeply engaging; dispossessing the likes of Messi by holding him up via contain, trying to get him on his weaker foot and timing your tackle perfectly is immensely satisfying. To say that you need to be patient both in a match and in developing your skill in the fine art of defending over time is a huge understatement. With the otherwise excellent Training Challenge mode returning this year, the art of defending could and should be better explained in a controlled environment so as to allow players to develop a greater understanding more quickly. Slide tackles are more effective than last year (they had to be as you will be using them a great deal!) and refs make the right calls more often than not and do look to play advantage, with only the lack of an on screen indicator showing that this is the case perhaps causing confusion.

Pass Master?

All this intelligence in movement matters not without a good passing game being in place and it is here where PES2012 stumbles just a tad. Make no mistake, the passing game wonderfully crisp (ball physics have improved greatly) with that player individuality remaining a key factor regards vision and quality of execution but the ambiguous nature of the multiple levels of assistance selectable causes some annoyance. The simple fact is every setting can feel quite similar which for this player resulted in switching between assistance levels and never really settling until a number of sizable number of hours game time. The ‘’one size fits all’’ passing set-up of last year’s title needn’t have been tampered with in all honesty and if this level of control customisation in the passing game remains in future releases, it needs to be more pronounced and probably better explained.

Every player should find their level eventually after some time and the manual modifier mechanic remains and should always be an on-the-fly option, though manual long balls feel far too forgiving compared to last year, where it required skill to pick out a pass at range. It is still somewhat baffling why manual crossing is not possible and that shooting cannot be subject to manual modifier control or even be subject to user selectable assistance like passing. Regards shooting, it is far more satisfying than either last year or the demos would have had us believe, though there is still an element of mystery to mastering the art, with placement logic still not 100% . These observations  evaporate almost completely when a Villa, Ibrahimovic or Rooney take aim, so something is calculating away in there that dictates placement. Curled strikes with R2 are back in place, chipped shots carry a little more class in look and execution (though appear lacking in some error), direct free-kicks are very PES5 in feel and all round there is a greater variety of ways in which players strike the ball, within the confines of the animation engine. Yep, creating and scoring a goal in PES remains as satisfying as ever, maybe even more so in spite of some qualms over set-up. Liquid football on tap, though it could do with a little ice to remove the slightly rough edge when it goes down.

Keepers? Post-patch they have improved vastly over what was present in the two demos that have had many in a panic pre-release. It should be said they are improved over what was present before – they are not suddenly those keepers we crave due in part to their animations and them still displaying some sloth like reactions to some efforts on goal, particularly efforts close to them. They do seem to catch more and their parrying is a little more convincing. Truth be told it seems they are victim of technical restrictions though they do perform some frankly stunning saves and double saves. Not too shabby in 1 v. 1’s either and the best keepers at least inspire some confidence. Improved but still needing to be more consistent and better realised; surely a focus for the future editions.

It is the keepers who perhaps highlight where the franchise desperately needs to progress and that is in the animations department. Listen, PES2012 is not an entirely poorly animated game and there has been clear improvements made in spite of it not being the primary focus for this year. The game is generally very fluid and does what it can do consistently for the most part but you can see the joins so to speak. With EA truly excelling in this department, fans of PES can’t help but be more than a little envious that such technical prowess hasn’t found its way over to our footy game of choice and for all the progress that is apparent within the confines of the existing tech, knowing that considerably better is possible with current generation hardware will always put this top of our wish lists…even if we won’t always admit it.

Visually, PES2012 sits somewhere between the 2010 and 2011 editions. Lighting in particular is fantastic throughout just about all stadia and time settings (you will always have a favourite) and there is a nice variety in turf shades, though this player still craves the deep lush green of the Konami Stadium in PES2010 to make its return. Player likenesses, models and kit detail seem to be that little sharper as well and pitch-side detail and ambient touches add a sense of gravitas to proceedings. Konami still now how to surprise us and little things like animated managers, camera men and ground staff are all neat, welcome additions to the matchday spectacle. More national anthems feature for the international sides and have a very broadcast authentic regards their presentation. Wide-cam still disappoints in holding detail despite improvement but the new pitch-side camera could well prove to the preference of a many a player and with good cause – the game looks terrific from this new viewpoint. The audio during matches is basically the same, for better or worse, with Champion and Beglin’s commentary track still sounding a little sparse even with the addition of a few extra lines. The sound of the ball hitting post/bar or the ad-boards is damn cool though and to be fair, for all that the audio is pretty lo-fi, the crowd sound as though they are watching the game and react to goals, misses and fouls with some enthusiasm. Importing chants and music is still an option so it is not as if you can’t personalise the audio experience to some degree.

That’s (Football) Life!

PES has always had a wealth of single player content and PES2012 is no different on this front with everything pretty much being the same old, same old…

Aye, right! Football Life is epically marvellous! It’s as if all goes on in our heads during a Master League or Become a Legend campaign is now right there on the screen and only a Japanese developer would dare go down such a route and somehow make the experience both utterly compelling and so damned charming. It plays out like a football soap-opera of sorts with unsettled players bitching and whining about such things as not being picked, feeling fatigued or just throwing their toys out the pram for not being played in their preferred position. The club chairman even gets involved as well, giving you ‘’missions’’ that come with rewards if you complete them successfully.

This added layer of interaction with your squad and staff via your own created manager avatar brings these modes to life. Many may have seen videos or screenshots of the new look to the games main single player modes and unless you have a heart of stone you will be smiling and you will get hooked. Playing a fixture and the game cutting to your manager after key incidents is never going to get old. With everything going on before your very eyes the concern is that it will get repetitive and it can do but such is the way things zip along briskly these things never overstay their welcome and in fact results in the actual matches feeling like even more of an event than they ever were before. A triumph, and something that should not be spoiled any further in a review and instead experienced by all. All that is missing are some QTE’s where you can kick a boot in the eye of an underperforming player at half-time or put your 1st team coach’s head through the tactics board in your office after a defeat. Half serious here.

All the regular modes return and things are pretty much as you were here. Such is the quality of the gameplay and tactical depth on offer however that these modes such as Champions League, Copa Libertadores (hugely underrated addition) and the various leagues/cups that are common place in a PES offering are worthy distractions. It would be good to see a little more added to these modes in future releases given what the developers have offered up in the Football Life modes. It is nice to see that another league has made it in as well – albeit not fully licensed – in the form of the Portuguese league. Edit Mode appears largely untouched although the Import/Export feature could prove to be a godsend for Option File creators everywhere and the fans who reap the benefits of these guys slavish attention to detail. It can’t be emphasised enough how much the community can offer this game and what a great Option File will do in order to make it feel that little more complete.

At the time of writing, neither the online components or new myPES application that integrates with facebook had been sufficiently tested to pass comment. As always it is a case of waiting and seeing how it develops with many a contrasting opinion regards performance more than likely. What should be said is this. It would be a great shame if this game doesn’t deliver online as everything is there for it to be a great online title and Master League Online has immediately become a fans favourite.

Conclusion

PES2012 is a game that not only channels the spirit of the series past, but does so with confident strides towards a bright looking future. Sure, there are some issues with the game which are the well documented technical short comings and a very small number of probably fixable/tweakable  quirks that ultimately fail to compromise the pure gameplay focused experience on offer. This year’s offering from Seabass and his team is without doubt their finest in this generation and it should not be forgotten that this was a game developed in a country that fell victim to one of the worst natural disasters in history and most certainly had an effect on not only development itself but more importantly the passionate team behind the project. The fact that in the face of such national tragedy they have managed to deliver the best PES in years is worthy of note for all true PES fans, however insignificant that may be in the grand scheme of things.

A return to roots while not being scared to take some chances has resulted in a return to true form.

9/10

Pardon the football analogy but I think this best describes WEP/PES productions journey into the next-gen gaming thus far. When Sony and Microsoft announced their new hardware back in early 2005 and with the pinnacle of football gaming in PES5 arriving later that year, you couldn’t help but start to dream of how good this glorious franchise would become with the new technology driving it all. It never happened and in fact such was the franchises apparent inability to adjust you could argue that with every new addition to the series it was doing one thing very well – sullying the good name and reputation that had been built in the near ten years previous.

It was time for a re-think tactically and in PES2011 that is what we have above all else. It is a brave move by the WEP team and one which comes with huge risks given the ambitious nature of the changes apparent. Who couldn’t say that they weren’t even a little concerned by that first press release back in May of this year. It read like the game we were wishing for but in many respects there was a niggling worry that it might result in a restructuring of the PES DNA that could leave it completely unrecognisable and do more harm than good.

Turns out we needn’t have worried at all as PES2011 is very, very much a PES game that retains (more recaptures) that PES feeling.

Right from the first load up of the game where the main screen in which the games cover star is proudly displayed (something that hasn’t been present since PES6) and with the games multitude of modes and options all easily accessible with the sleek, streamlined menu system that runs across the bottom, there is a warm sense of familiarity to everything except it has been brought kicking and screaming into the next-gen era. Gone are the garish colour schemes and uninspiring, clumsy layouts and in comes something far easier on the eye, yet more importantly, easy to navigate through and get going.

It is here also where you can appreciate just how much is on offer with Konami’s latest. Champions League mode returns as a mode which can be played stand alone while still remaining in Master League and is joined by the new acquisition that is the Copa Libertadores which, due to licensing restrictions, doesn’t make it’s way into the Master league component. One omission as far as competitions goes is the UEFA Europa League as a stand alone mode, though it still plays its part also in Master League, which now also features an online offshoot. It feels like a missed opportunity and perhaps it would have been nice to at least have it in place as a competition to drop down into from the Champions League mode just so as to allow it to feature a bit more prominently as it would, I should add, the newly acquired UEFA Super Cup license.

Become a Legend returns with some more depth and refinement and all the existing cup and league competitions along with community mode, make their expected returns to the fold. Playing away in the background through these various menus is a more eclectic mix of licensed tracks than found in last years game and it all adds to giving the game as a whole some added gravitas. When entering into the Champions League or Copa Libertadores we have said competitions various takes on their respective themes playing out – a very nice touch which adds some authenticity and extra sense of occasion, as do the superbly realised TV broadcast layouts for each.

“What use does all this variety and authenticity have if the game itself doesn’t deliver?” I hear you ask and it is a perfectly valid question in which the answer will ultimately decide any games fate. Well, I am happy to say that all this does finally matter…and then some!

Let’s get back to the action for the start of the second half.

Visually, PES2011 is a bit of a treat…for the most part. Player likenesses are superb with some work having been done to remove the waxen look of players whilst not sacrificing detail when up close. Of course not every player in the game has been subject to such meticulous detailing so some inconsistency is bound to be present, though it is rather pleasing to see that a wider spectrum of squads have been given some TLC and it is possible to right the wrongs of some likenesses using the games expansive player edit mode. As for player models there has been marked improvement with various body types and physiques well represented though perhaps it could be ventured forward that there is still a lack of distinction amongst players that made the PS2 days of PES so memorable. There is a level of distinction apparent, don’t get me wrong here but a drop in detail in regards player appearance and kits is clearly apparent that goes beyond simply the players being further away in wide-cam, or should that be wide-cam with a twist.

Lighting is superb in general but while the game can look fantastic in some instances a lot depends on stadium choice and day/afternoon/night conditions. Playing a match at Wembley in the afternoon looks utterly gorgeous and is without doubt a real highlight visually but playing at night and even day/afternoon in some stadia things can look a little rough with some high contrast/brightness levels resulting in a further drop in level of detail regards players and kits from the playing angles. Briefly touching on the colour palette, it is something that I have very little in the way of complaints about, though on the subject of kits it has been noticed that some licensed clubs (Besiktas and PSG amongst others) appear to have generic kits which cannot be edited. So a DLC to rectify this issue would be more than welcome. Bar these exceptions, kit detail is as convincing as ever with Adidas kits even having the option of the tech fit variant if you wish to ramp up the attention to detail and authenticity further. One oddity is when viewing replays – that come with an effective if not entirely consistent motion bluer effect – is that the players boots lack studs and while not exactly falling into ‘game-breaker’ territory is another detail which could be doing with being addressed in future. PES is very much a ‘looker’ let there be no doubt but a point of focus for Konami is that of the increasing the level of detail visually from the games numerous gameplay angles. It might not appear to be that important an issue but when you do see how good the game can look in certain conditions you just want there to be a higher level of consistency on show which would further enhance what is already an excellent looking game and would be sure to add more to the ‘wow’ factor in future.

I opined this a while ago but there is something about PES2011’s gameplay design that resonates with me as being a project some years in the making. It’s as if some of the WEP team’s visions(I am sure this is only the start) for the franchise have finally been realised and have come to fruition in the next-gen with PES2011 but oh! my days, is it initially a very, jarring and sometimes downright brutal experience getting to know this new PES’ nuances in the gameplay department.

A quick word of advice before we continue. Forget everything you know about PES and along with it, might I suggest you forget all you think you know about PES2011 into the bargain. I will openly admit to thinking I knew it all having been playing the game in various forms for near on two months before finally settling down to the final version. I will even concede to me being of the belief that the game might be broken. This is not to say the game is dramatically different from the demo that has been available these past few weeks, but it is different, more progressed and with that I would recommend taking time to learn to play the game and re-programme yourself by starting at a lower skill level. This, I promise, will come with great reward.

‘Engineered for Freedom’ is the games tagline and engineered for freedom it most certainly is. It might not leap out of the screen and make itself obvious from the off but this is a game in which I don’t think it is too ridiculous to say that your imagination is your only limitation. The new passing system that debuts in PES2011 is the core in which this freedom of play is allowed to flourish and while at first it may appear that AI assistance is still very much in place, you soon realise that it isn’t holding your hand in quite the way you might think when it comes to pass power and placement. It is without question that a level of AI assistance is present as this is key to retaining player individuality, but what the passing model does allow for is more artistic expression to be had with both individual and team play. What this enables the user to achieve are passing moves which have never really been apparent in a PES title past; teasing your opponent in midfield with cute little exchanges as Barca, sending laser-like precision lofted balls to Pato using Pirlo with AC Milan, using Estudiantes’ Juan Sebastian Veron to act as the metronome in midfield, or using explosive short 1-2’s on the edge of the area using Kaka and Luis Fabiano with Brazil – all this and much more is possible and is incredibly rewarding when it all comes off. Another welcome addition to the passing game is the manual modifier control using L2/LT. Using this mechanic ‘on the fly ‘is excellent as a means of trying to produce the unexpected and have complete control over a pass without the slight AI assistance offered by the default model and is very satisfying when you successfully complete a long lobbed pass straight into a players stride to use one example in my experiences of using it. All the standard passes are able to be fully manually controlled with this method which opens up even more options to the player in control.

As deep and rewarding as the passing game is, dribbling is arguably more so. This is the one thing that could potentially alienate many a player and is also where you will learn some brutal home truths about how everything from PES’ past is rendered near useless. Quite simply it isn’t easy and at first appears very sluggish, stiff and unresponsive to the point of almost feeling broken which it I can assure you it isn’t. It has to be said though that while I can appreciate the uncompromising approach taken (the game being uncompromising is one of it’s strengths) to one of the fundamentals of the beautiful game, there is a steep learning curve involved in mastering it – a learning curve that will have you tearing your hair out on many an occasion – and it isn’t helped by some limitations in the transitions and number of the animations between movements. One particular move in which your player goes into a sidestep dribble has a habit of not only looking a little forced but it can also feel a tad ‘locked in’ if that makes sense. Reading many previews of the game that suggested the game is still on 8 axis is of course nonsense – 360 movement is most certainly in – but these opinions should not be totally discounted as there is obviously something that is encouraging such train of thought. Discussing this with a colleague at WENB we agreed that while the theory might very well be sound, it is probably something that requires more work so as the animation can act as an aid and visually sign post more clearly a change in direction or where a player might be going wrong. This is something that in this reviewers humble opinion and thus should be another point of focus for the WEP team in future. If such a difficult to master but ultimately rewarding system should remain in place – and it should – then really upping the animation count in these key areas will do well to keep a player coming back. It is something the competitor’s game does in spades and should not be discounted as merely cosmetic. That games animation acts as a means to hook the player in all by itself as this reviewer can offer good testimony on.

Irritations aside regards some technical quirks on the dribbling front, when it clicks together it is a joy and suddenly it will add a very potent weapon to your arsenal. Situations that once seemed impossible to start with now cry out “opportunity!” and along with it the ability to shift the ball about in midfield with confidence via quick jabs of the stick from a neutral position or rotations which will allow you to ‘look up’ and pick out your passes becomes second nature. Then of course you have the R2 ‘stop and play’ mechanic which adds another layer of control in dribbling. As for tricks they are surprisingly not quite as easy as first feared, at least not the more elaborate variants, though the rainbow flick still has an overly simple means of execution (currently being looked into by the development team) It wasn’t necessarily something that was at the top of many a hardcore PES players wish list but it pays great testament to the strength of the standard dribbling (once mastered of course) and the art of defence that the tricks and feints available are not simply ‘beat player’ prompts. The more basic feints are assigned to jabs and rotations of the right stick alone followed by exit moves on the left stick and will more than likely be the more frequently used by most and are more than sufficient at buying that vital extra yard of space.

What really shines through though are the individuals once your dribbling game has been fine tuned and in the case of using one of the games 15 ‘Speed Stars’ like a Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo the damage you can cause on opponents is potentially match winning. Yip, individuality remains absolutely key in the PES experience, perhaps more than ever, though perhaps more than ever you really need to work on your game in order to truly reveal player potential. There have been murmurings of disquiet amongst some that players blessed with blistering speed can’t seem to outrun their markers but I would ask for some understanding that while these players may not outrun unwelcome attention with ease going flat out, they will outmaneuver opposition markers with ease and this is where their real speed lies. Think of it as a trade-off of sorts and taking a little license over reality in order to balance things effectively. Careful what you wish for in other words.

Of course having the tools in which to destroy the opposition is all very well but is only part of the puzzle in realising the beautiful game. There has to be an effective counter measure to balance it up and this is where yet another new feature to the PES series makes a solid if not entirely trouble free debut in the form of a multi-layered defensive control system. Much pondered over when it was unveiled, and still maybe yet to convince some, the three tiered system now in place requires the user to approach the defensive side of the game with more thought and demands more from them regards control into the bargain. Simply holding the pressure button isn’t enough any more, though it will make your player close in and track. In order to put a foot in the user must now also push the stick towards the player in possession but at the risk of leaving themselves open to humiliation at the hands of a skilled and direct dribbler. This were it is sometimes best to concede ground by pressing the stick towards your own goal (whilst still holding X) which results in your player standing off while still actively trying to sheppard the ball carrier away from goal, and is also a good way of introducing a second player to press.

The system works efficiently but there are some issues with it. Visual indication to the player is not the best regarding the standing off mechanic in particular and movement by the defender when doing so can look a little glitchy. This again is where PES needs to step up in the animations department as filling in some of those blanks with smooth transitions and also more varied and deliberate looking standing off or jockeying movements would act as clear visual aid and also comes with the bonus of adding to the realism in terms of appearance. Player switching is also something that could do with further tweakery but the question has to be asked why the player switching settings from the PS2 titles of old isn’t present. Collisions can look less than convincing on occasion and lack a little visual ‘feedback’ which is a short coming.

This is probably the best time to comment on referees as they are very strict and as welcome as it is seeing tackles from behind or poorly timed challenges not go unpunished, the referees appear to make the wrong calls on numerous occasions. I say “appear to” because again the lack of variety in collision animations makes it look to be the case, that said, they are prone to calling what look like completely fair and well executed slide tackles – which really do look superb and carry some weight – back for a foul. Some inconsistency with the issuing of cards is also a concern as is the erratic use of the advantage rule, which also is minus some visual indication on-screen or via the commentary track but believe me it’s in there, just not very prominent. All in all you have to say it is a good first crack at bringing something new to the defensive side of the game and does offer the right balance as a counter to the attacking game. Before moving on it should be noted that defenders are superb at goal line clearances and have great awareness and response in situations us Scot’s call a ‘stramash’ in the goal mouth. Adds to the sense of drama and unpredictability but in a mostly good way.

The shooting in PES has always been one of the games more satisfying elements though it should be conceded that the last few years suffered from some control in placement and also appeared to lack variety. In PES2011 we are getting some of that variety and control in placement back into the fold and along with it we have vastly improved ball physics that see the ball dip and swerve perhaps more than it has ever done. The end result is something that will have you punching the air with delight or agonising over a wonder goal or strikes that go tantalisingly close respectively. Bullet headers be gone for the most part and the sound when the ball hits the woodwork is a thing to be applauded. There is a lack of clear instruction as to how to place shots in the command list or training ground and finesse shots can a little too regularly not look like finessed strikes at all and rocket off a players boot minus the curl you would want. Also, it would appear Konami are making up for the lack of acrobatic, volleyed efforts on goal from PES2010 so 35yd side bicycle kicks are where it is at apparently, which could be doing with being toned down but shooting animations in general are pleasingly varied with even the chipped shots types being blessed with some variety in execution.

One vital component to scoring a goal is player, crowd and commentary reaction and I am happy to say it all kicks in instantly as the ball crosses the line which just adds to feeling of satisfaction. On the commentary, it appears to be getting a bit of a lukewarm reception in some quarters but while Champion and Beglin are a little sparse with delivery overall and can become repetitive, they do call it well (especially Beglin – good riddance Lawro!) and in my experiences seem to come to life in the final third, so in this respect it works rather well. The final third is where the magic really happens and the duo – who have worked together in real life when commentating for ITV adding another layer of authenticity to proceedings, particularly Champions League matches – work off one another reasonably well. One little detail that might go unnoticed or unloved is how both men will often emote at the same time when something spectacular happens in front of goal. It is something that I don’t think I have heard in a commentary track for any sports game before and thus deserves some praise for adding to the on field drama. Yes, both deliveries can sound a little forced on occasion and repetition is an issue – the commentary isn’t going to win awards but improvement is apparent.

The stadium ambience has been vastly improved with announcers reading out the teams and any substitutions in a variety of languages. Player/manager calls are also clearly audible in a number of dialects and much to my amusement the crowd chants have improved with some I swear even having the odd…well…swear. One of the main issues with the crowd in the last couple of outings was a lack of away support or any reaction at all bar silence when the visitors scored and this has thankfully also been addressed.

Keepers?…..Vastly improved over previous releases and can possess the reactions of a mongoose, making double and even triple saves and at point blank range too. These are the guys who can make or break a footy videogame and it is more a relief than anything to see that they seem largely fit for purpose. There are still issues with them of course; some questionable reactions to soft, deflected efforts, having a tendency to rebound the ball back into a play (though thankfully their reaction and that of the defence helps) and lacking in variety in animations. What I still find to be apparent is that of the keepers diving range – they seem to reach a point in their dive and stop and fall back down to the turf when it looks like their momentum should carry them a greater distance. Unfortunately, while manual keeper effectiveness seems to be improved, the same wonky, unintuitive control system is in place from PES2010. L1 and triangle worked just fine and needs to come back. Making reference to the competitors game in this department is a must. The developers of the game in question have really excelled in capturing the unique characteristics of goalkeepers both in animation and overall reliability. WEP team take note.

If there is one department where the game is unrivalled however and that is in the AI both of your team mates and the COM. At first you will think that player movement off the ball is restricted and might wish that there is an input that will enable you to get a player to make a forward and while it could be a little better still, the movement off the ball is largely satisfying. Technically there is an initiate player run button by simply pressing R2 after making a pass and it should also be noted that when using the manual modifier control for passes and then pressing R2 you can play into space for a team mate and the passer will also make a forward run which generates further movement, as does the 1-2 controls. PES2011’s movement is largely controlled by the AI however and only once you dig deep into the fantastic tactics and formations screens do really begin to see what is possible.

The tactics timeline is a work of genius and can be set up so as your team will adjust their strategy automatically and react dependant on your team being level, losing or leading a match. The timeline allows for up to two strategies to be in play at any one time so in those final 15 minutes when you are trailing you can set it so as your going ‘all out attack’ with your ‘CB overlapping’ as well. These same strategies can be assigned to the face buttons as is the norm, so potentially you could have up to six strategies activated if you wanted. During the match you also have the attack/defence emphasis gauge in place too so another tactical option is available on the fly. Then (yes, there is more!) we have the Team Style variables that have been set to a scale out of 20 and will make a huge impact on your teams playing style with overlapping, player support and pressing amongst others all available for further tweakery. Then (yip, even more!) we have Auto Trigger Settings which are a series of on/off options which will allow to instruct the AI to perform the offside trap, auto slide or make subs for you. Make no mistake – this game is deep with tactical options.

As for the challenge the AI presents I think ‘solid’ would be the best descriptor. Even on regular difficulty while looking to relearn and adjust to the games nuances and demands it presented a decent challenge to warm up with. Top Player is where most PES aficionados will ultimately find themselves taking on the AI and should provide the challenge you eventually want to be faced with. It also of course helps that there seems to be something in the code that increases difficulty when progressing in a competition or playing in an away tie. Could this be the ‘secret’ difficulty Seabass spoke of and his words were lost in translation? Finally and most impressively by some distance is the AI’s reactive and proactive inclinations. It is as if it makes use of all the tactical options available to the human player. Impossible to prove completely of course, but there can be no doubt that this is an AI that knows when it needs to change things. Goals change games as the saying goes and PES2011 looks to take those wise words and implement it into the AI behaviours. One slight concern and it has been well documented is the ‘greenzone’ issue in which the AI often refuses to press a player when deep on the wing when defending and only if a second player is present will it try to dispossess you. It is being looked at and it will be interesting to see how this and any other potential issues that may surface will be addressed.

So there we have it – PES2011’s on the field performance given a thorough run out. Footballing perfection? No, there is still much work to be done and I can’t emphasise enough how the franchise needs further technical advancements in order to really wow the player. That said, it is a game that moves well in it’s own right and it would be simply wrong to deny that obvious progress has been made in this key area as the game ebbs and flows wonderfully well and is not short of quality and variety in the animations department. This is just the start of the journey for Seabass and co. (with a little help form the Blue Sky team) in looking to achieve excellence on a technical level. Brilliant but inconsistent in places visually, with sound also taking a rather large leap in quality, it is clear this is a game that has been laboured over by the WEP team in all departments and is more than mere incremental update.

Under the hood is where the game really shines however, with a deep and rewarding experience that really does require patience and lots of practice in order to experience every facet of what the game can and will offer to the player. License troubles still remain but an incredible level of customisation options available in the games edit mode ensure that option file makers the world over will be kept busy (just wait to see the WENB option file!) and we now have the introduction of a stadium editor as well – something I don’t think anyone could say they saw coming. Online is always going to remain a mystery and it is best not to say anything other than so far, so good in relation to performance thus far. With Master League Online now being a feature and should it come to pass that online stability is present for the masses, then we have a real game changer of epic proportions for many a hardened multiplayer gamer. With the core foundations very much in place in the gameplay department what we have right now in PES2011 is title that can be proud to bear the PES name but at the same time infers that the best is still to come.

Before closing, you may have noticed that this review is purely one based on gameplay and hasn’t touched on assets such as the Master League or Become a Legend in any great depth. There are two reasons for this. First, I feel it was necessary to go this in depth with gameplay as it was is on the field that PES has undergone it’s most significant changes and therefore should be any reviews main focus. Secondly? Well, for as much as football games don’t really have spoilers I do wish to avoid giving anything away. Discovery is part of the experience in any game.

So how has the second half panned out ? 3-0 down is quite a mountain to climb but the team have come back out and are displaying some of the free flowing football we know they can play. There is still a fair bit of time on the clock but it is

9/10

for the composure, skill and desire on show.

Welcome to PES2011.

‘Games Com’e and go

Sadly the PES series went away with the rise of nextgen consoles and it seems to hide somewhere. This year, everything is said to be different, but that was the same story last year. And the year before. To see if I can find the hiding prey again, I came to gamescom in Cologne.

Can you show me the screen, please?

When we (that’s Adam, his wife, Gari and me) arrived at the fairground, our first target was the PES2011 booth. As soon as we arrived at Konami’s place we had to fight for a way to the consoles that contained our precious. In an instant I grabbed a controller and inspected the menus while Marvin and Jan from prorevo were setting up the camera to record some videos (that all of you should have seen by now!).

Amazed I saw and selected my beloved Bayern Munich, a team that has been absent (just like PES’ glory) for the past few years. This first match was like the first dose of a serious drug. I had to return to this beauty of the show multiple times a day and every day I was in Cologne. (It’s been nominated for the best performance at gamescom, btw., and rightly so) The game looks so much better than the MLO beta, but still not as good as preview code. Player face detail is stunning, kits are brilliant and the pitch looks very realistic.

Aim for the impossible, but start slowly

I had played only 5 matches in the MLO beta, so I wasn’t used to the new passing system at all. 80% of my passes
went wide, short or wrong, but definitely not to their intended targets. But that changed. Quickly. The more I was playing, the more I was growing onto the system. And it is rewarding, indeed. Remember the feeling of getting an A grade in a difficult exam you’ve learned days for? Then you know what I’m talking about and I can go on. After a while of controlled build-up play, I tried my first passes that aimed behind enemy lines. And that was not a simple task to perform as the defenders positioned themselves very well. But as soon as my striker ran for the ball and jostled with his opponents successfully, I completely forgot to finish because I was still staring at the screen in disbelief: that looked like real life football! After a while I got used to it but still loved it. And I still do.

In a match against Gari I scored a cracker with Schweinsteiger (you can see that in our YouTube channel) that caused
me to shout out loud “Woah!!”. That rarely happened in PES2010 (probably twice?). I had several moments that caused a shout, either goals, tricks or close misses. Today, on my last day at gamescom, I started to play around with the trick stick. And it looked amazing. So many different animations, beautiful and useful at the same time.

Can you keep that for me?

One of my biggest concerns were the keepers (no, you’re not deceived by your eyes, were. See below). You might have seen some serious mistakes they made in the gameplay videos. Apart from those situations, they look, move and keep very well. I’ve seen many new animations and very nice saves. And I don’t know, which difficulty is set as standard setting. If you ask me, I’ll go for average player (3 of 5) or even advanced beginner (2 of 5). In addition to the matches I played at the booth, I got the chance to meet Jon Murphy and to play a match on the latest code with Asim Tanvir from godisageek. The only thing that I’m going to tell you: I left Jon and the Konami press area with a big, big smile on my face.

So while I’m going home from gamescom now (I’m at Frankfurt at the moment), PES is coming back. This year. With a BANG!

Thanks for reading.

More after the jump!

Taking a look at the first of the BaL screens – which I think tells us more than initially meets the eye – we see a glimpse of the players virtual manager in the locker room, apparently giving specific instruction as to what he demands from the veteran ML default, Stremer. The first thing that jumped out for me in this screen was that the instruction was being given to a right full-back, so it would seem that this year the BaL mode has expanded with regards to what positions the user can play with defence now being an option. Then of course we have the instructions themselves, In the accompanying press release for these shots it is stated that :

In the locker room, the manager gives you clear instructions on tactics to be used, your tasks, expected play area on the pitch, and player you have to mark, etc. Instructions change depending on situation of your team.

The manager gives you feedback on your achievement of given tasks including play area and tactics for you after the match. And you will receive evaluation message and rating from the manager. In the Become a Legend mode, users will be able to play with clear objectives during the game this year. Users also will be able to recognise how much trust your manager has in you and level of your contribution to the team. This will make users have a sense of accomplishment after the match.

What this all suggests is that there will be welcome level of additional depth to the BaL experience. Particularly worthy of note is that it is mentioned that player instruction can alter depending on the situation of your team, which I would assume means that the scoreline in particular can dictate what is expected from the user in their role. This is quite significant as in theory this would mean that you are no longer just operating in a role in a generic fashion, which in turn would surely increase the sense of involvement you feel as an individual and give you a greater sense of contribution to the team effort as a whole.

Also welcome is the user being able to recognise the level of trust the virtual manager has in you. Providing it is implemented well and some variety is present when moving from club to club, I can see a many a falling out or even a sense of allegiance forming with a virtual Mourinho or Pep Guardiola-esque figures for example. This could even potentially act as a major contributing factor to the player deciding whether they should look to move on or stick it out. Imagine finally arriving at the club you really want to play for only for the manager to prove to be a bit of a ‘Domenech’ and finding yourself having to seriously think about your future. This is all speculation on my part of course that this is how it will play out with these new features but you have to admit the prospect does sound rather appealing and very involving.

I have to confess that Become a Legend and similar modes of it’s ilk present in other sports games have thus far failed pretty miserably in getting me hooked into their unique style of play and what they demand. My one issue has always been that of a feeling of disconnect between that of myself, my team mates (not helped by poor AI!), and club/manager, which as a result makes the whole experience feel incredibly shallow and unrewarding. These modes are not present in sports titles and loved by many without reason however and it is this, along with these proposed improvements being made to this style of play, that might well see me give BaL a little bit more TLC in PES2011.

It strikes me that Konami have looked at not only improving and refining the technical assets that drive the game but are at the same time looking to implement a higher quality of overall game design in all the games various modes, with Become a Legend not missing out in this approach in PES2011.

They say there’s no smoke without fire. Ever since PES 2011 was shown in Tokyo, and then most recently at E3, impressions from the press have been consistently positive. The improved competition has certainly moved the goal posts in-terms of what we now expect from a football game, but despite this the WEP team seem to be holding their own with ease so far. While the hardcore have remained loyal, with strong belief PES would somehow find it’s way again, most had given up by now. These positive previews, then, have given us all hope that the king has indeed returned. Surely, everyone can’t be wrong? It’s this feeling of anticipation and confidence that runs through me as I pick up the controller for the first time to play PES 2011.

And I think confidence is an apt word to describe the whole persona around PES 2011, from it’s development team to fan fave Jon Murphy. Over the past few years, to their own admission, over-confidence and laziness stilted the growth of the series dramatically. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and who can say that particular fine line was stepped on a few too many times since PES6. One thing we can all agree on, is that when PES is back hitting the heights of old, the guys from Konami will be the first ones to know about it. As me and Suffwan start up the game, we quickly realise just where this new found confidence is coming from. From the front end to the obvious revolutionary change once the game kicks off, everything about PES 2011 oozes quality. Before a ball is even kicked, we were both blown away by the menus and pre-match layout.

First of all the main menu system is reminiscent of WE8/PES4, something I shouted as soon as I saw it. The game modes are now selectable via a horizontal bar situated at the bottom of the screen which you cycle through, while the main screen graphic changes with your option. Very clean, visually strong and as ever staying true to the PES ethic of a quick and easy menu system to get to where you want quickly. As we choose our teams from a limited selection (Suff went Inter while I chose Real), we’re greeted by what is quite possibly the best formation/team edit screen ever in a football game! You’ve all seen it by now, it’s the screen showing the pitch with all your players dotted around it. The ability to change players, their position and their role is extremely easy and incredibly intuitive, and something you won’t truly appreciate until you experience it for yourself. The accessibility is in direct response to the deep but sometimes bewildering menu system of last year, which meant so much of the hard work Konami did with the AI and player cards were lost to many users. Not this year though, navigating through such complex options has never been so easy. Team picked, strategies in place, and into the match we go.

As if you need telling by now, PES 2011 is visually stunning. The same match intro sequence as seen last year was in place, but looked better with this new ‘skin’. PES 2010 was great graphically, and wasn’t the first thing most thought of when wanting to improve the game. While the difference is clear when seeing it in front of you, describing it is less than easy. The shine and ‘plastic’ look has been replaced by a more realistic filter, with colours and texture more lifelike and less gamey. Even the grass looks real. Seeing the same intro with this new look gives it a new lease of life, losing that familiar feel. The same can be said once the pre-match niceties end, as the camera swoops low and the players stretch and limber up ready for action.

We’ve been told many times PES 2011 is a brand new game, and there’s no question things have changed dramatically. Good news is, it will take only a few moments to realise just how much. It’s a bombardment of improvements and jaw-dropping change from the get go, re-affirming quickly what we’ve been told for a good few months. From the new broadcast camera, to the improved animations, and the new passing system, there’s nothing that remotely reminds you of PES on this generation – never mind PES 2010. As the game kicked off we were both lost for words at first, as it took a while to comprehend what we were seeing, and also try our hardest to get to grips with this new passing system. The new power bar and more manual control in passing has brought a massive change to PES, and for the first time in god knows how long, forces you to play the game completely differently. Simply tapping X (we played on PS3) while aiming towards a player is half the work now, as now you have to apply the exact amount of power you want. Seen in FIFA for a while, but not quite like this, it forces the player to simply take more care in where and who you’re passing with. While short passes require little skill and TLC, anything that is passed over a little more distance means more effort in aiming, especially with less skilled players.

We instantly felt this need to be more thoughtful with our play as we passed the ball forward quickly without thinking much, and it go astray. While directional control is accurate enough with a majority of players, there’s no hand holding or computer assistance in getting that ball to your player. Under-hitting or overhitting the ball leaves you with obvious problems, and requires you to concentrate more than ever when playing a pass to a team mate. PES being PES though, even such an integral element in the game isn’t decided on manual control alone. Similar to how the guys at EA copied elements from PES and looked to improve on it, Konami have done the same but added a personal touch. That key addition is player individuality.

Coming into the playtest, this free passing system worried me, as while it could bring a new way of playing PES, the individuality factor is what has kept me attached to the series. I’m happy to say this philosophy hasn’t been lost in this new adventure. Getting the ball to Alonso was much more beneficial for example, as the accuracy and power was more forgiving than playing the same pass with Marcelo. Me and Suff both agreed there was this feeling the ball seemed to ‘home in’ on the intended target accurately with the better passers, and was always easier to control. The same can be said in playing the ball into space, the better passers in the game really did have an influence in dictating play and control the flow of the game. Once we managed to get our heads around the new passing system, we were left trying to soak in all the new animations in the game.

Lets make this clear, the animations in PES 2011 are on another planet compared to PES 2010. There’s no point comparing them to last year in a still frame or gameplay segments from a trailer, seeing them in front of your own eyes playing the game is where it’s at. And for me and Suff, it was one of major take-aways from this first look. Even before the whistle blew for kick off it was clear we were in for a treat, with players going through their warm-up routines. All very natural and believable, especially when you add in the effect the new camera gives you. Once the game started, our faces must’ve looked like a few kids at their first firework display, mouth open and saying ‘wow’ every few mins.

Running, dribbling, tackling, passing, heading, falling etc etc you name it, every single animation has either been improved or redone. On top of that, the additional animations have created the most fluid PES game ever. Players move and swivel their body into each turn, no more unnatural movements with players unrealistically moving into certain directions. Passing and shooting animations have also been added, with players really taking into account where the ball is, and whether or not they have time to move it onto their preferred foot. If the ball is too far on their left side and they’re right footed, players are more likely to try and flick the ball forward with the outside of the right boot. More time? Expect the player to use his instep and pass more accurately that way.

The same improvement can be said of the dribbling. The additional animations really bring player movement with the ball to life, with linking animations being the key improvement in this area. The 360 degree dribbling has been well documented and rubbished in PES 2010 by a number of people, but the whole idea of it being in this year would be much harder to argue with. Players move with great accuracy and response, without ever feeling unrealistic. As you would expect from PES, well known dribblers like Ronaldo/Messi/Robben naturally feel better when in possession, and they take many more touches of the ball when moving around the pitch, always giving you a feeling you can change direction if needs be.

While we’re on the subject of dribbling, it’s probably worth me quickly pointing out the new trick moves PES 2011 has introduced. In all honesty it wasn’t something we dedicated our time on, as most of it was just focused on playing the game and getting used to the passing and physical play. From what we did see of it though, we were pleasantly surprised by its implementation. I’ve never been into tricks myself, and it won’t be something I’d be using when playing the game, but by pressing L1 and then inputting movements on the right stick you can perform a variety of tricks. What pleased me the most was the fact no trick was a sure-fire way of beating an opponent, and the over elaborate ones require the player to perform a few tricks before linking in something like the rainbow, meaning they are easier to anticipate and require more time to pull off. My favourite one though is the heel flick inside, made famous by the likes of Ronaldo and Drogba, and was last seen in PES 2008. It was a great way turning inside an opponent and getting the ball onto your favoured foot, and also looked eerily realistic. A worry from the trailer showed tricks not linking together well and stuck to the players foot, but these fears were gone after seeing it in action.

The final big leap in animations in the game came from the physical play. As documented, there are now 3 ways of defending in PES. Pressing X to track a player, X and moving the stick towards your own goal means giving up space so you don’t get beaten, and finally X and towards the player for a more aggressive way of winning the ball back. All worked well, and all looked very realistic when seeing it in action. While the first two had pleasing gameplay repercussions, visually the aggressive form of tackling was the most pleasing. Seeing players tussle for the ball in PES is something we’ve all been calling for, and to see it working as well as we hoped for in the game is a dream come true. The good news is the physical play isn’t just for show, as with the power bar passing, Konami have stayed true to PES’s philosophy. Bigger stronger players will be able to hold off challenges much better than smaller weak players, obviously, but it all comes down to stats and player positioning. In the later games with me as Italy and Suff as Holland, Van Bommel came steaming into Pirlo. A quick shift of the stick away from him meant he came crashing into the back of me, causing Pirlo to fall and win a freekick. Unlike in FIFA, simply pressing X won’t provide an easy way to pressure an opponent, the need to time those aggressive moments is key. Especially with response times improved and refs fixed.

Another worry from all the additional animations coming into the playtest was if the response times had been sharpened up since last years obvious problem. Thankfully, the added animations have actually helped matters with response times, giving players more variety in passing and moving into directions when you need to instantly. Same can be said of the R2 stop, with players able to stop much quicker of the ball is close to their feet. This allows players with better technique to be more important in the game. As mentioned, thankfully the referees are much, much better. During our entire playtest they didn’t make one bad decision, with every obvious foul correctly punished. Same can be said of the less brutal ones, with us both giving away many fouls for being over aggressive when trying to win the ball the back. The advantage rule was also witnessed a few times, although we didn’t see anyone getting booked after play stopped for a previous foul.

Concerns at this stage are minimal, mainly because every problem we pointed out is apparently being looked at. Goal keepers, while behaving more like they should, still parry far too much and let in the odd clanger. Penalty kicks are still from PES 2010 it seems, we can only hope and pray that this changes soon. Other smaller niggles include players taking a little too long trapping high balls, and taking too long releasing a shot.

Overall though, even at this early stage, it’s simply difficult not to be impressed by the giant steps Konami have made this year. After years of claiming they have created a new game, their promises of change are true. It’s a time for fans to rejoice, as our faith has finally been rewarded. It’s also a time for those who jumped ship to come back and see what all the fuss is about. Overall though, it’s time to anticipate the prospect of no longer using the likes of PES5/6 as a reference point of the series at its best. With time still to improve an already solid game, there’s every chance this is the year the prodigal son returns.

Make sure you listen to this evenings podcast for further impressions, released 6pm here and on itunes.