The State of PES

[Yeats]

Of course, in the grand scheme, gameplay was never a problem for the franchise. The weak link has always been its visual elements.

Just the opposite. PES' gameplay has been a clunky, broken mess for years now, that's the #1 reason millions of football gamers abandoned PES and switched to FIFA the past seven years. They certainly didn't switch solely because FIFA supposedly looked better. Besides, graphics have never been the issue. Konami uses real-life color palettes and because of that the game looks much more life-like and realistic than FIFA. PES' stadium lighting and player faces are also superior to FIFA. The one weak-link visual element has been the outdated animations, which have less to do with visuals and more to do with the obsolete last-gen feel of PES' gameplay.

[Yeats]

The graphics were seemingly stuck in a time capsule during those first few years, remaining in the Xbox/PS2 era... This is where PES’ trump card, the Fox Engine, changes up the equation. If the much ballyhooed engine lives up to its billing, this will be the crucial reason as to why things are different this time around, and that the comeback is truly on.

This is what concerns me the most about all the next-gen chatter I read on sites like this one. It seems gamers today are mostly only interested in improved visuals. So much different than 15 years ago, when modding and achieving simulation gameplay was the priority with these sports games. It's a generational thing and the evolution of gaming in general I suppose now that online gameplay is the focus.

[elprez98]

Thank you so much for an article of real truth about PES. I guess being old school, gameplay is much more important than visuals (not to say they aren't important though) I've always believed that PES was on par with FIFA just due to the overwhelmingly better play by keepers and non-HUM controlled players.

[DBMcGee3]

PES is doing just fine. Better than FIFA last year, and looking much better this year. Sounds like they have made the editing options more accessible this year too, so the option file makers can work their magic. I can't wait.

[nvinceable1]

Quote: Originally Posted by wxn8822

Not to hastily release the next-gen game is a very responsible and thoughtful decision on PES' part. I am glad they made this move. I foresee the future as FIFA spiraling down while PES picks up the momentum and reclaim the soccer game crown.

I'm also glad that they made the decision to skip the next gen consoles for this years release. Transitioning to a new gameplay engine plus two new consoles is simply too big of a task to likely have a positive outcome. I think it's paramount that they make the most out of transitioning to the Fox Engine as that's ultimately going to decide the success or failure of the PES franchise for the foreseeable future. Sitting out this year should have a negligible effect anyways as the vast majority of people will still be playing on current gen consoles for at least the next year.

[sarlndr]

So getting this.