Pro Evolution Soccer 2013: Demo First Impressions

[RaychelSnr]

And we’re off.

Like the Christmas shopping season, it seems like it gets earlier and earlier every year with football game demos, doesn’t it? Either way, PES leads us off with its first of two demos. Except for those poor North American PSN users, everybody else should have access to it by now. It’s not a bad strategy on Konami’s part: release it early, tempt a few action-starved FIFA fans into giving the game a try, plus get some feedback from the fanbase and make some changes.

So what’s new?

[cadalyst17]

I have to say, I love it! It plays more like FIFA in a methodical manner but not as methodical as FIFA. I personally think it strikes a good balance; not losing what makes PES....PES

[THE YAMA]

After playing the demo, I'm still in FIFA's corner.

[DBMcGee3]

Does anyone know which leagues, if any, PES was able to get licenses for this year? That's always such a HUGE advantage for Fifa. If the gameplay is equal, I'll take the game with all the real teams and players, please and thank you.

[ps3veron]

I loved the demo! Its a definite throwback to old school PES.

I also had some amazingly diverse goals, some thing I still don't see with FIFA.

Hoping not much changes in the 2nd demo and release editions.

[Yeats]

Re: Pro Evolution Soccer 2013: Demo First Impressions

Hoping not much changes in the 2nd demo and release editions.

At this point, that's our greatest fear after last year.

Absolutely amazing demo, which I'm truly surprised by after last year's mess of a game. Very tepid demo review, which I'm surprised by given how amazing the demo is. Then again, Konami has lost so much goodwill the past few years, it's understandable gamers would remain so skeptical.

[aloncho11]

Yeah, this review doesn't do justice to the demo. The impressions thread is much better...

[Profit89]

Loving the demo. Best football game on the planet at the moment. Every sports gamer should have this game.

[Maelstrom]

Well, at least Konami is releasing the demo early, so they can work out the bugs, unlike EA Sports, which doesn't seem to hire game testers, opting to instead USE customers as their game testers, by having them buy the game, play it, complain about the problems, which brings them to the attention of EA developers, then attempt to fix the game post-release.

Hey, it works out great for EA. Their "game testers" are paying EA $60 (each) to "test" the game for them.

[Knickerbocker]

I've been playing Fifa HC for quite some time now but I must say that Fifa doesnt even compare to the football experience the demo brings. It actually gives you freedom to create and not do the only 2 or 3 things that fifa forces u too. Kudos to Konami hope PES will return to former glory. My grade to demo: A- (there are flaws obviously.

[Yeats]

Re: Pro Evolution Soccer 2013: Demo First Impressions

Well, at least Konami is releasing the demo early, so they can work out the bugs, unlike EA Sports, which doesn't seem to hire game testers, opting to instead USE customers as their game testers, by having them buy the game, play it, complain about the problems, which brings them to the attention of EA developers, then attempt to fix the game post-release.

Hey, it works out great for EA. Their "game testers" are paying EA $60 (each) to "test" the game for them.

Holy mackerel bro, was that really necessary?

[CoreySA]

As a huge FIFA game and someone who hasn't paid much attention to PES the last few years (I was a huge fan back in the day), this demo impressed the **** out of me. Really, really solid. I feel like they nailed tempo and pacing and it feels much more fluid.

I wouldn't say this game is topping FIFA in any way, but for the first time in a few years I'll be back to picking up both titles!

[Profit89]

FIFA doesn't compare to PES2013. And I think it will take a hell of a lot for FiFA 13 to surpass it as well.

PES2013 is incredibly realistic simulation and at the time fun. A remarkable balance that they have struck.

The game plays out so realistically: the way the players move into spaces, the individuality in player movement and animations, the way players make runs... It plays out like your watching a game on the tele. So much variance. Every goal and play is unique. Going back to FIFA12 feels incredibly scripted. Every game plays the exact same way. It doesn't feel free.

PES 2013 on the PC.... The only way to play !!!

[MmaEnthusiast]

Re: Pro Evolution Soccer 2013: Demo First Impressions

Can someone explain how on earth you do iniesta's double touch move. I have watched plenty of tutorials on it but still can't do it.

[Yeats]

Re: Pro Evolution Soccer 2013: Demo First Impressions

Going back to FIFA12 feels incredibly scripted. Every game plays the exact same way. It doesn't feel free.

I love the PES demo, but your comment isn't entirely accurate. Try this in both games: Kick the ball upfield with your GK. In the PES demo, your forward runs on a rail towards the ball and there's no way to stop him: the controls are locked. In FIFA, all you have to do is pull back on the L stick and your forward stops running: the controls are free.

Both games have their postives and negatives, and PES isn't any more free than FIFA in many ways.