Just had the best game so far in my around 150 games and counting.
I think I've finally cracked it!
Not cracked in so much as I have found future proof wins all the time, but I certainly now know how to play the game. It's the first time since I played demo 1 and now onto demo 2 that I can say hand on heart, that I'm totally comfortable with the game and it hasn't been without his glitches.
Just had the most amazing game against Spurs where everything has clicked again. It's been four games on the bounce, where I've drawn or won. This was a 2-1 victory as Inter v Spurs. A few points where I have improved hugely on, and it may have something to do with switching to wide cam.
1) I know have a greater understanding of space in front of the midfield. I now know when to accelerate and attack the CPU backline and now have a wonderful understanding of when and where my players will make their forward runs. I was like many on here and questioning the forward runs from the strikers, they are there you just have to time the pass and wait for the run. In PES 2011 I think the main theory was that you play the through ball immediately as the striker runs would start more or less when your midfielder gets the ball. In this if there is space for your midfielder to attack the backline then take it on, draw your attacker then play the through ball where your striker would have started his run. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TIMING. I am now much, much more comfortable when I'm three on three or two on two, I just get it now.
2) Know your key players. I know Eto for example has lightening feet so drill the ball to him around the edge of the box and I now have the ability to turn my man and fire the shot. Same with a Sneijder (sp) type player.
3) I'm much more comfortable on the ball if that makes sense. Because of PES 2011 incessant inhuman pressure the ball was like a hot potato and because the responsiveness of players was off, you'd get caught all the time. Not now, now I am comfortable on the ball with my key men, I can slow the play down, look for passing avenues etc.
4) THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT - I was wondering why I was getting a lot of 60-63% possession games, but was still losing them 2-3, 3-0. IT'S ALL ON THE DEFENCE and the way you approach defending. If you are getting 60% plus and losing 3-0 then there is obvious flaw in your defensive play stemming from the way your strikers reduce space, to your midfielders holding up play and so to the defenders. I DIDN'T USE THE TACKLE BUTTON ONCE IN MY LAST 2-1 win. But you have to be very, very subtle in the way you position your players. I think of it as a 2-3 yard rule if I am matched for numbers. Get in close, around 2-3 yards away of game distance, and match where he goes, but don't dive in. If you are outnumbered as will be the case sometimes you have to usher the danger man outside, never leave the middle exposed. My defensive play is now excellent I feel, even against Bale, Ribbery and Robben. Where the game is absolutely f'kin fantastic is when you mess up in terms of possession and you're left two on two with these players, they'll dice you every time
5) As a direct result of 4, if you're playing the game properly, you should see the OPPOSITION POSSESSION GO UP - but this means that your defensive play is sound, because you're slowing the CPU down, making it go back and around. THIS IS FINE. My average possession game is now at around 54% but I'm winning, whereas before it was 64% and getting trounced.
6) This is just a viewpoint - but watching from wide cam, I now appreciate the game in all its glory. I can see all the player movement, I can see Defoe bending his run against me (literally a banana run to stay onside, never seen it until now), I can see Bale picking up the ball and surging at my full back, I can see where I should pressure strong and where I should back off, I see where the CPU pressures strong and when it backs off. I can see when the oppo striker is trying to make a burst.
7) To all the haters (and this maybe just me), but I haven't seen any MAJOR issues with the goalies, and in demo 2 I've seen some brilliant saves. I haven't had a problem with cursor change, I now don't have a problem with defending. I don't have an issue with the CPU being too tough, it's fair. I have no issues with physics, shooting, crossing, anything.
8) MINOR NIGGLES - These are just minor points but I'll address them anyway. CPU free kick takers, are probably a bit too strong, their accuracy is too much sometimes. Many have mentioned about a potential cross bug !??!. Not sure on this, I mean I don't know if it's a bug or the end result of a good move. Take yesterday for example in the PL, there were lots of headed goals so the jury's out on this if it is indeed an issues. The lighting on the stadiums with the roofs, the shadows, it's too dark for my liking, that needs to change perhaps. The player faces whilst accurate does have that Resident Evil feel to it, but again it's very minor.
OVERALL - this is where I'm at, I am absolutely loving it. I can't put it down. I'm still messing about with formations and tactics to stop the Ribbery's and Robben's of this world, which must be a great thing. I'm constantly thinking about different ways to play, and how to counter different teams. Rangers are giving me great grief believe it or not with their aerial game. Bear in mind that I think I've finally cracked it after playing for days on end against the same teams, so I am really looking forward to the versatility.
A POT SHOT AT FIFA NOW - I don't apologise for this, and I don't care if I get shot down in flames. It's my opinion, and each to their own. PES will be my game of choice this year, already no doubt. The game is just so f'kin alive. It plays like I see it on TV. If you think it doesn't then good luck to you, we'll agree to disagree. FIFA, again, is lifeless, soulless, repetitive sweet spot finding. I don't even like the graphics anymore. There's no weight to the players and I have to say that the f'kin Impact Engine which they have been working on for two years is shite - PES, in my opinion, has this nailed this year and they didn't even release it as a major selling point. The intricacies in body movement is sublime and I love the fouls against players for quick feet.
I play PES and go back and try FIFA, and there is absolutely no movement whatsoever. I have to force everything, with triggers here and there. Whilst FIFA have now changed the system to a more build up orientated game, they've gone completely to the extreme now. Every team now plays like Barcelona with patient ten minute build up. I am not going to hide my love for PES this year, and I'm not going to hide my indifference to FIFA. I have given PES some almighty stick over the years, and they've produced some truly great game-breaking bullshit. Seabass must have been tripping through the late 00's. I can't put it any other way, but either their developers, programmers or whatever were incompetent or KONAMI just lied to us to get out cash, but what they came out with was wrong, totally wrong and against everything PES. They ignored us for years and got what they deserved, almighty stick for crap games. I believe FIFA 10 concentrated the mind, and they must have woke up and smelt the coffee. FIFA 11 and all it's pressure abuse was just the tonic that KONAMI needed to try and catch up this year. Well they've caught up. The graphics may not be pristine, but they're good enough for me and I hope KONAMI don't go down the millions of animations route and make the game like a f'kin floating ice-hockey feel like FIFA.
This year, now this is a game. I liked PES2011, but it was far too restrictive, no options, games were random and plenty was broken. But it had a pulse at least. This is the game that I've been waiting for at last. I think, near enough, they have almost everything spot on, for me. They can't fk up now so close to release, they have to hold their nerve and make PES players love it if it takes 2 months, 4 months, or nine f'kin months, because once you GET IT, you'll realise too that this is a monster game.
Over and out for now, hope I haven't bored you.
