I'd like to start by saying that this is the best PES DEMO that I have ever played, right from way back when. Pes demo's have always had gameplay issues and have been just generally naff in my opinion. However, any issues that are present in the demo have nearly always been fixed by Konami, and I expect this year to be no different. The final release version of PES is always an improvement on the demo. I must admit I've had an unprecedented addiction with this years demo. I must have played around 30 games already, which I think speaks volumes for the potential quality of this years release. I've started to get that 'just one more game' feeling, which is something i've not really got when i've played the last few titles in the series. Anyway, here's a few of the 'good and bad' points i've noted when playing the X360 code:
+ The graphics are amazing (by no means the measure of a good game but it certainly helps things along)
+ The presentation is fantastic, especially the front end.
+ 360 control works a treat (I've finally been persuaded to start using the analogue stick as opposed to the D-pad.)
+ Individual players now seem to play more like their real-life counterparts. Messi and Ibrahimovic, for example, now seem to have very realistic playing capabilities.
+ General gameplay is a big improvement on 2008 and 2009
+ I like the crowd effects when the ball first hits the back of the net (i know some people aren't too impressed with the SFX)
- No power guage for short passes (unless you use the Right Stick which I really do not like). This is probably the only thing which Fifa does better. You really don't feel like you have full control of your passes, which is something that a true simulation should provide.
- Goalkeepers seem to constantly goof up.
- The balancing seems slightly off in my opinion. Regular difficulty appears to be very easy now.
- A.I. defending isn't great. I've scored a lot of very cheap goals.
Overall, a very promising demo from Konami. I have no doubt that the negative points above will be fixed to a large extent (apart from the power guage obviously) and that the bugs regarding response times and frame-rate issues when you score a goal will also be fixed in the full release build. Roll on the 23rd!