It seems difficult for any football game to keep pace with the undisputed market leader, FIFA, but Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is giving it a good go. Although the latest release to the PES series is more of a step forward rather than a massive leap, every improvement is positive and designed to provide a more well-rounded football experience. PES 2012 might not come packed full of as many features as competitor FIFA 12, but for a fun football experience filled with fast and fluid gameplay, this could be the option for you.
Gameplay
The majority of the many little tweaks that Konami has made to PES 2012 are related to the gameplay itself, with most of the game modes remaining the same as in the game’s predecessor. One of these gameplay adjustments is particularly outstanding, if difficult to master. How many times have you found yourself screaming at the TV in frustration as an AI controlled player has missed the perfect space for an easy breakaway? This could be a thing of the past with the new manual teammate controls that allow you to control the player on the ball with the left stick, and the player off-the-ball with the right stick. It sounds complicated, and it is! In fact you might want to spend some time in training by repeatedly patting your head and rubbing your stomach; trying to independently control your thumbs is a tricky task. Once you master this skill though, you will soon find yourself setting up some incredibly satisfying shots.
This new method of control isn’t the only adjustment to be found within PES 2012, as a multitude of other improvements have also been incorporated. Particular attention has been paid to the Artificial Intelligence of the players; with new defensive systems that will stop the defenders on your team leaving large gaps open to the opposition. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much the computer now seems to anticipate the moves you are about to make, moving into place to support your every whim. All of the improvements are designed to improve the realism of the Gentlemen’s Game, teaming said realism with the vast improvements that we saw to the passing system in PES 2011.
Unfortunately we don’t have any new game modes to enjoy in the latest Pro Evolution Soccer instalment, which may have you wondering if an upgrade is necessary. Some adjustments to online play might have you coming back for more though, such as the inclusion of MyPES which allows for easy sharing of match statistics with your friends, even incorporating your Facebook account into the mix.
Graphics
Graphically, PES 2012 remains a beautiful game to behold. There are no dramatic changes to the look and feel of the title, but again the many little alterations combine to offer a better whole. Player animations on the pitch have certainly been improved, with the ability to leap over tackles and perform swift turns on the ball.
It’s just a shame that the included commentary from Jim Beglin and Jon Champion doesn’t quite match up with the realism achieved through these new graphical enhancements. Don’t be surprised to hear phrases spoken and repeated at peculiar times, completely unrelated to the current play.
Conclusion
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 remains a largely unlicensed game, so if you are looking to see all your favourite players on the pitch you may prefer to head to FIFA’s territory. For a football game that’s packed full of entertainment, excellent gameplay and intriguing innovation however, PES 2012 is a more than suitable offering to the marketplace.