Mini review
For what seems like the first time ever in the history of football games the CPU defends as a team and as a unit and it seems like it does adapt and react on the fly depending on how you're playing at any given time. This and the improvement in goalkeepers is the big difference from last years game in my opinion. The CPU defending and its intelligence is also the big draw to the game instead of FIFA 17, where its still very much one single CPU player chasing you around for the ball, like a dog chasing a bone.
The CPU can press as a team and so can you. Pressing off the ball is actually really satisfying. If it works. If not and you commit too many players to the press, you could be efficiently punished at the other end. You can play LIKE Liverpool do in reality and you can be caught out LIKE Liverpool do in reality also. In fact you can play like any team does in football. Can you do this so much on FIFA? You can try but it dont look anywhere near as good!
The CPU defence is harder to penetrate this year, if you start playing possesion football in the opponents half or in and around their box, they will sit deep in a low block making it very hard to pass forwards, dribble a way through or create space for a chance at goal. They will also get wise to certain players traits or your playstyle. If you think you can keep cutting in from the wing with a pacey player and shoot on your stronger foot, the CPU will adapt and double up on that player with a player covering behind to make it difficult to cut inside, sending you down the line.
The CPU's variety of play WITH the ball is also a highlight for the game. If they sit back in low block like I explained earlier, they will look to hit you on the break with pace and longer balls if you ever lose the ball when they're in that system. They will also utilize players strengths and play to their abilities and size. On a few occasions I've seen the CPU target my fullbacks, sometimes straight from kick off with a direct longball in behind my defence between centreback and fullback. This is all very unique to Pro Evo and a big selling point over FIFA 17.
Another thing i've noticed is how your front foot defenders step out of defence to attack and win the ball. For instance you're playing against Man United and Ibrahimovic as Liverpool and they play a ball from midfield into Ibrahimovic's feet. Matip or Lovren will step forwards out of defence and try to take the ball away before Ibrahimovic can get a touch, lay it off or turn.
Gameplay is pretty much bulletproof. It shines in this area above all. Its improved in one of the key areas where Pro Evo has struggled for eternity. Goalkeepers. They are a lot better. Maybe not as good as FIFA in terms of animations. But they are the best they have ever been in a Pro Evo. I know that for certain.
Its actually very realistic in the small details of football. Something which FIFA falls wide of the mark on. It falls short in the core aspects of football and how its plays and moves on the pitch.
The only thing needed is to put an option file on the game.
When you've done this I dont believe anyone can claim that FIFA 17 is the better FOOTBALL game. The things a FIFA player would hit Pro Evo with a big stick over for years are no longer issues or excuses now.
Option files are the leveller. But the gameplay of Pro Evo 2017 speaks for itself. With or without licenses.
If you put the time and effort into getting a option file on your game, it will transform how it looks. But how it plays remains.