PES 2016’s seemingly shonky PC port gets a demo

Also available on PS4, PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. Now, with PES 2016, Konami thrusts its flagship franchise into uncharted territory, profoundly establishing it as a series designed for true lovers of the handsome game. The players’ sweat glistens under the floodlights, and most importantly Konami have nailed Paul Pogba’s awful haircut. A lot of this year’s Federation Internationale de Football Association reviews, for example, are doubling down on things like a small goalkeeping AI change and a new way to send faster passes. The colours are still rich and cartoonish and the movement is still more like an ice skater than a real footballer. Microtransactions are rarely welcome in full-price retail games, though the cost of Federation Internationale de Football Association Points is reasonable, and the value of the reward is equivalent to what many would happily have spent on new FUT packs. Right down the hair of Stevenage FC’s second-choice goalkeeper. As always, FIFA’s Martin Tyler and Alan Smith are excellent, but as always, despite the fresh additions to his repertoire, much of Tyler’s general banter is getting a bit stale. On the one hand, I get it, these games don’t change that much year-to-year, so coverage needs something to focus on. No, you don’t need to sprint all of the time. Exhibition matches, online matches and training modes are standard, with Divisions being PES’ iteration of FIFA’s Online Seasons – which plonks you against an opponent as you rise up the ranks, and thankfully it’s just as addictive as FIFA’s. It’s more than just glitz when you thunder in a strike from 25 yards off the underside of the bar and the crowd roars its approval. Every month, you’ll see that you’ve conceded goals from through balls more than any other type of play. Due to Konami’s Fox Engine, the collision system is also much more realistic than in previous years, players such as David Silva are no longer able to shrug the bigger, stronger players off the ball with such ease. If you’re a football fan, I can’t recommend this highly enough and if you’re waiting for Fifa 16 (out on 22nd September in the UK) then I would say you’ve already found your flawless game in PES 2016. And in mine it seems a lacklustre year. Even on the game’s lower difficulties – which I tend to frequent because I’ve never been that great at soccer games – it can be hard to abuse the competition like in years passed, especially if you’re someone who got a thrill out of blazing past defenders on every rush. And EA Sports hasn’t simply reskinned the men’s game; you’ll notice tangible differences when playing as women, while female players have been fully motion-captured and look authentic. I honestly wouldn’t care if they took Ultimate Team out.

This is PES’ major flaw. It was also pointed out that the game is smoother, being a sublime passing game that players can enjoy and allows players the freedom of importing as well as editing. You won’t find teams like Liverpool or Chelsea by name, but the players you know, love, and admire are there with bearing everything but the crest you’re used to seeing them wear. Why not challenge your friends and see if they can beat your score.

Fifa, however, has nailed playability. It’s all fantastically detailed and this really adds to the experience – a lot more than you’d expect it to on paper. The goals are more spectacular and the chance to get forward without having to passes thousands of time before reaching the box is significantly greater. It’s one thing to hear the same handful of quips and shallow analysis over and over, but when even the tamest of shots are met the same, exaggerated shouting of the name of the player responsible, it makes the moments when you finally do unleash some magic feel significantly less special. For arguments sake, Federation Internationale de Football Association 16 has the edge, since it provides a robust and wholesome package. For folks who crave more dialed down mechanics, more responsive controls and something that feels less arcadey, however, Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 takes the crown on consoles this year.

All of the game’s commentary is captured by Peter Drury and Jim Beglin, who add actual insight into the game, and, if you listen closely enough, give out tips for how you can improve your strategy.