Best difficulty level?

[Steven547]

So what would you consider to be the best difficulty level for a "real" game? On Regular, I find that I dominate the CPU a lot, but on Professional, it seems the CPU has a speed advantage no matter what team you are playing. Any thoughts on how to "even" the playing field?

Thanks!

[connoll3]

Re: Best difficulty level?

Don't play on the default difficulty level. The computer doesn't really attack at all.

Pick one of the top two levels. Some people think the top level is actually easier than the next one down, but I don't think that's been definitively proven. Here's my take from a previous thread:

I actually recall the same issue being discussed back in old gen versions of PES -- PES 5 & 6, especially. A lot of people felt that the top level of difficulty was easier than the next tier down, but I don't think it's possible to definitively prove that's the case. Where the debate seemed to settle is that on the highest level the computer would attack more, opening up more space and defensive holes. This tended to make it easier for the human player to score and thus led many people to conclude that the top was an easier level of difficulty than the next lower level.

In my experience playing PES, I'd say that the top two levels are more or less interchangeable. The game plays slightly different on both, but whether or not one or the other is 'harder' largely depends on your own style of play. The only cardinal rule about difficulty levels with PES is never play the game on the default difficulty or below, even if you're new to the series. The game plays miserably at those levels, mostly because you get absolutely no attack from the CPU, which in turn distorts the overall flow and spacing of the game.

Another thing: how the game plays is greatly affected by what sort of teams you're playing with. Konami, in my opinion, tends to underrate the weaker teams and overrate the stronger teams.

[spit_bubble]

Re: Best difficulty level?

...on Professional, it seems the CPU has a speed advantage no matter what team you are playing...

So... You may not be aware of this... But there are different levels of speed available to you. Hold R1 (PS3) and you will speed up. Tap R1 repeatedly and you will go faster. Hold R1 and press R2 and you will boot the ball far ahead of you at an angle and then run on to the ball.

Really, it's Top Player that gives the computer an unrealistic speed boost... So I find Pro to be the best difficulty, or at least the most realistic.

And as connoll3 says... Top Player almost seems easier, simply because the computer tends to play more recklessly which exposes their defense more... So again, I think Pro is the way to go.

I would also agree with connoll3 that the weaker teams are underrated... And that the range between the top and bottom clubs is too great, so in a ways difficulty also depends on which club you choose to play as (though I suppose that's the case in any sports game ).

My advice: play on Pro as a dominant team... And practice dribbling in training mode until you get the hang the different ways to control your speed.

[Steven547]

Re: Best difficulty level?

Thanks for the responses. I'm pretty new to the PES series. Was a FIFA player since I can remember, but decided to give this game a try this year. Glad a I did, especially with the MLS update (option file).

And as far as speed..I know I can use the R1 button. It just seems the other team is naturally faster. They catch up to my guys real fast, and this was me playing at Italy against one of the "lower" MLS teams, to test that theory.

It just felt like the could strip the ball from you with no problem, but then again, it could just be my lack of skill with PES. So, practice..practice...practice!

[spit_bubble]

Re: Best difficulty level?

...It just felt like the could strip the ball from you with no problem...

Dribbling with a defender in proximity takes some getting used to. You really have to change your pace accordingly, and play the angles by using cutbacks and touches of varying speeds.

It's tricky because a lot of it is just learning the animations, as well as the team and players you are using. Some cutback animations are really slow, especially if a player has poor dribbling ratings, and can lead to a change of possession pretty quickly.

Also, a lot of the times what you see on screen won't look right because the animations don't always match up to the play. So in other words, a weak dribbler can often times have a good defender come in and somehow "magically" steal the ball... But in reality the game is sort of "giving" the ball to the defender because that's what should have happened... Even if the animation isn't there to back it up. Yeah, it leads to a lot of WTF moments, but once you realize you just need to utilize each player's strengths and avoid using their weaknesses, the game starts to make a bit more sense.

And like I mentioned before, Top Player really gives the AI a stat boost, so you'll see even more WTF moments than on Pro.

[box2boxmf]

Re: Best difficulty level?

I play on pro but if you are learning stick with regular. I can play and win on top player but pro gives me a good balance between wins and losses. I'm talking about pes 2009 but imo 2010 is nearly identical.

[bh446066]

Re: Best difficulty level?

I play on pro but if you are learning stick with regular. I can play and win on top player but pro gives me a good balance between wins and losses. I'm talking about pes 2009 but imo 2010 is nearly identical.

This^^^

Play on regular until you start dominating. Then bump up to pro. If you start on pro, you'll just get frustrated until you learn to play defense.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Best difficulty level?

Agreed with the others. I started out on Reg to get things sorted out control-wise. Was killing the CPU, now I'm comfortable and have gone through one season with Pro. Love it. As soon as you get the postioning down, go up to Pro. It's the best gaming experience I've had in a long time. Smart CPU play, every game is different and a challenge, but a differing challenge, based on team style. BTW, just finished the treble with ManU last night. I felt that I had earned every game. This is my personal SGOTY.

[boxboy99]

Re: Best difficulty level?

I just picked up 2009. I don't know jack about soccer. I started on regular but couldn't even get out of my own zone. I stepped down to amatur and am having some great games. I want to pick the game up and then bump it up. It looks like you can't change difficulty once you start a master league. Also what time do you guys play? I'm on the default 10 right now. Seems a touch too short.

[billmatic]

Re: Best difficulty level?

In 2009 ML I think you can only change difficulty between seasons. In 2010 ML you can change anytime.

I usually play 10 minutes. It does seem a bit short, but after you play enough, you get to the point where you can basically score at will. At that point, anything longer than 10 minutes results in some ridiculous scorelines.

[boxboy99]

Re: Best difficulty level?

Okay thanks. Good to know you can at least change in the offseason. The short games is something that actually got me interesed in playing a soccer game. I love sports games but the long games of the Show and NBA 2k start to drag. I love being able to rip off games pretty quick. I figured I would stick with 10 min but wasn't sure if that was the norm for most players.