Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 Review

Ever since 2001 when PES was launched, the main argument between football fans is which is better: FIFA or Pro Evo? To be honest I've always gone with FIFA so I thought I would give Pro Evo a go and see the other side of the argument.  I think that everyone knows that FIFA and EA always seem to be one step ahead of Pro Evo and Konami. So have Konami made it that step closer to challenging EA again?

When I loaded up my first game I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with the attention to detail on the close up shots of the players and how easy it was getting straight into a game.  Another thing that I noticed in my first game is the graphics from the standard gameplay camera differs from the close-up and this year's instalment of FIFA.  But when you look past the graphics, if you're used to FIFA then there is quite a good game which focuses on skill and the speed of player, like Messi and Ronaldo to take on defenders and score important goals.

Even though PES 2011 got such good reviews this didn't stop Konami changing features to fight back at EA in the race to be the best footballing game.  This year's installment immerses players into the world of football with an improved football life mode, which will let you experience a career as a player, manger or owner at a club.  Also, as in recent installments you can play through the Champions' League with your favourite club and with commentary from Jon Champion and Jim Beglin you will feel like you are there.  The updates continue when you are playing the pitch, from Active AI  were the AI controlled players don't just all flock to the ball; some will start to make intelligent runs forward to give you options up field and now players will also jostle for the ball meaning that physical strength is a key factor in the game.  One of the biggest new features in this years game is the introduction of off-the-ball control.  This lets you control one of your team mates with the right analogue stick so you can move them into a position to get a pass off at the same time you're going forward with the left analogue stick. It can be quite difficult to get used to but when you can control both players it is easier to find your way through the defensive line of your opponent.  Two other new features are: the referees AI, which has been improved, now they will try and let the game flow as much as possible and if needed go back and book the offending player.  You can also now determine the amount of AI support that you get when passing the ball, from full assisted for the casual gamer to no assist at all for people who are looking for a more realistic representation of the beautiful game, where if you aren't careful a pass can go astray and you will be defending again.

As with every game now, there is an online mode where you can play against other people and try and be number one.  Konami have tried to make online different then other football games by adding a "chat" feature.  In this feature you can choose from one of four pre-written comments to send to your opponent from complimenting a shot or save to mocking them.  This addition makes it feel that you are playing another person and not just a computer.  Because I have found that with most sport games that people don't really use their microphones, so the lack of communication can make it feel like every other game that you have is against the computer.

As with most installments of Pro Evo there are little Premier League teams licensed in the game, well, when I say little there is only two (Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur) which is rather disappointing but this is something that long term Pro Evo fans have got used to, with EA owning the right to the majority of teams, but on the plus side all the players are licensed.  If you don't fancy playing games against the likes of Merseyside Red and Lancashire Athletic, the French ligue 1, Dutch Eredivisie and La Liga are fully licensed with teams and players. Other licensed teams include Genk, Bayern Munich and Rangers.

Overall Pro Evo is a good football game but graphically it is let down and is still a bit behind FIFA,  but the games flow well and with easy skill buttons you will find yourself flying past defenders and scoring that important goal.  With the Champions Leagues and Europa League fully licensed, you can relive your favourite team's best games with everything from replica on-screen graphics to real UEFA commentators. If Konami care on upgrading the game every year it won't be long before they have EA looking over their shoulder again.