First off: What I'm about to write is NOT to diss the game - it's merely pointing out some things, that I would also like to hear, if anybody feels the same.
Secondly - my background: I'm turning 36 this november, been a member on this site since early 2003 and have been a huge fan of PES since ISS Pro Evo1 on the original PlayStation. I've bought every single game of PES since the above mentioned installment all the way to PES 08 - which is the last PES game I've bought. I bought the FIFA 09 installment and didn't buy any of PES nor FIFA last year. Therefore I can't hardly compare this installment to what has happend since 08 - so I'll just be pointing out my initial thoughts of the game, after playing 5 games last night.
I play on Xbox360.
It's a small background to judge by - therefore this isn't a review or judgement of the game - but solely my very first experience of the game - so use this post as you see fit.
Presentation, graphics and animations are great. I like it. Not much to point a finger at there - and as always; these aren't major factors when judeging a PES game - it's what's "under the hood" gameplay-wise that counts.
Gameplay is hugely improved since the '08 installment I played - go figure... :blush:
But here are some points I would like to point out, and hear your take on those and if you guys have had the same experience:
1: Passing: Engineered for freedom? I don't see it?! It feels very semi assisted. I haven't had any problem what so ever pinging long string series of fast-paced first-time passes together like in the old days... I've even experienced that a lot of passes is sent an "entirely" wrong way to another player, compared to whom I intended? That's not freedom, now is it? If I sent a pass into clear space - then it feels free.
So what I want to know here is: When you guys are talking about spraying passes all over the place like another Xavi - are you guy's then using the manual pass button (LT)?
2: Goalkeepers: I think that they are greatly improved! Some minor flaws here and there - but nothing serious.
What's serious though is: WHY IN THE NAME OF GOD isn't it still possible to pass the ball to a nearby defender/teammate straight away, when the keeper has the ball??! We're talking 2010-11 now - and the keepers are still holding on to the ball like dear life untill everyone is back at their start position?! Why…?
While writing this, I realise that I haven't tried holding the manual pass button, to see if he'll pass the ball faster that way - has anyone tried that?
3: Stop in play: At every stop in play - and I mean IN EVERY SINGLE STOP IN PLAY - the game throws a replay at you?! I know I'll just press START right off to skip it - but that doesn't stop the screen from loading and making a break in an otherwise flowing game...?! After only 5 games I'm already sick and tired of it...
4: Lag?!?: I've experienced LAG in my demo - and I'm only playing online in single player mode?! Has anybody else experienced that? You know: the ball and players dissapear from the screen in a spilt second, just to reapear 10 meters further ahead quickly after? It's a demo - I know! But am I the only one to have tried this?
5: Defending: Love that it's become more difficult! BUT! I can't seem to make these new moves work. When I try to hold the "press" button and holding the stick towards my own goal (you know - so not to go into a tackle straight away) my player has a go at the attacker anyway?! Which almost always results in a freekick. Annoying since I'm usually a gamer who rarely makes freekicks...
It takes some getting used to - I know - but does anyone have a few tips and tricks or experience in this? I just can't seem to make it work 8 out of 10 times.
6: Atmosphere: I tried the Coppa Libatadores (or what its called) because I read somewhere, that the atmosphere during the match would be quite different than playing with the european teams. Well - not on my demo. Does anybody have a take on that?
So right now I really don't know what to think. I really - REALLY want to love this game - but I'm not quite catching on at the moment.
I tried the FIFA demo for one game only - and I quite like the PES one better, solely because FIFA really didn't felt that much different and felt quite "easy" compared to PES.
I'll give FIFA the credit, that it looks much better to look at during play. The fluid animations and the level of detail in ALL the animations are quite frankly awsome! But as stated above - that doesn't make a good game alone.
So am I alone in these statements or has anyone noticed something similar.
Great gaming everyone!