It's something that has rumbled on for many a year; FIFA or PES? Both franchises have their die-hard fans, while offering a lot of great gaming whichever team you choose.
In 2017 it's Konami who blinks first as Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 releases a few weeks ahead of EA's yearly update. But it's probably not going to be enough, at least this year, to tempt away the FIFA crowd.
One thing that PES has long been revered for is its realism. Compared to FIFA, PES has always felt more natural, closer to the real thing despite lacking in some of the shiny graphics and razzle dazzle licensing. PES 2017 follows exactly this tradition. The gameplay is sublime.
PES 2017 is so slick you'd slip over on it
Konami calls it 'Real Touch' and the essence is that players can receive passes and make themselves some space with a variety of intuitive, and creative movements. One of the basics of the real thing is working into space, a quality first touch can make the difference between success and failure.
It's this kind of attention to detail that elevates PES 2017s gameplay to the top of the pile. While FIFA 17 is yet to launch, having played it at Gamescom I'm fairly convinced that PES 2017 has the edge. Movements are so fluid and natural feeling, the pace of the game is more akin to a real match and the ball movement at times looks fresh off a highlight reel.
Score a screamer from outside the box and see how good it feels.
PES 2017 is easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master. There is a learning curve, especially if you're a first timer to the series, but being able to customize the controls helps get over that. The adaptive AI that analyses the play to decide how best to counter adds a distinct challenge. You have to work to break down the defense in Pro Evo. And doing so is immensely rewarding.
Set piece control is excellent, with much more interaction than just "point and hoof," and a particular personal favorite is the added control over through passes. You can just tap to play it where you hope your team mate will run, but you can also get more involved and decide on the direction and weighting of the pass should you wish.
It's hard to fault the gameplay in PES 2017. It builds upon everything that has made it so popular over the many years of its existence. It's a fluid, genuine experience that rewards its players in the best way it can; by making you feel like you're playing the real thing.
The weak point of PES, however, is the thing that it's going to struggle to overcome. EA has all the licenses.
It'll be considered shallow by some, absolutely, but the fact that you're playing "Manchester Red" and not "Manchester United" will put off plenty and send them running to FIFA. The mass market buyers, the younger crowd, will find it hard to ignore the appeal of their favorite clubs looking like their favorite clubs, with real kits and real stadiums.
It's like Rooney is staring back at you
There are plenty of realistic bits in PES 2017, though. Many of the players resemble and act like their real-life counterparts. It's like Wayne Rooney really is looking back at you. This is at least a bonus, gone are the days that players names would be misspelled to get around licensing issues.
Konami has to go the hard way and partner with specific clubs to add some of the extra pizazz. Clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, Barcelona and many other European teams are accurately represented. But it's a mixed bag, and that leaves me feeling a little disappointed. I get that licensing is hard, but I wish Pro Evo could have more of it. It would make for a better experience all round.
That's what it boils down to, really. The overall experience of playing the game is a mixed affair. You've some licensed clubs and the only official game modes based on the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, but you've also a ton of clubs that sound like you're playing some kind of knock off.
If you're looking for longevity there are a bunch of career style modes, allowing you to jump into leagues and tournaments, and myClub will let you build your own squad and take on your friends. It's not quite FIFA Ultimate Team, but it's still decent in its own right. Start at the bottom and work your way up, attracting bigger, better players to join you as you conquer the world.
Konami has also upped the ante a little in online play. New for PES 2017 is an official online league that lets the competitive, eSports type players face off against each other with the grand prize being a chance to play in the grand final in Cardiff ahead of the 2017 Champions League final.
PES 2017 is great, but it lacks the edge to draw the FIFA crowd across
So, a conclusion. PES 2017 is very good, that isn't in question. Fans of the series will feel rewarded for playing this years incarnation and the addition of an official, competitive league is a positive step towards the ever increasing eSports future we live in. It's fun to play, and it's so slick you'd fall over if you stepped on it.
But the overall experience is still lacking, and that's down to licensing. For the gameplay focused crowd it might not matter, but to the market at large, it does. Kids will still want FIFA because of the showcase it contains within. Which means it'll still be the biggest seller by far. And while the players look great, the overall graphical sharpness could use a touch up. Perhaps that's in part due to supporting legacy consoles, who knows.
Pros:
- Slick, fluid gameplay
- Realistic looking and acting players
- Rewarding online system for competitive players
Cons:
- Licensing is sporadic throughout
- Overall graphical sharpness could use a touch up
If you like Pro Evo, definitely give PES 2017 your time. Hell, even if you don't but you've always been curious, give it a go. The trouble is that it's not going to entice the FIFA crowd to jump ship. Which means Konami still has a hill to climb.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 is available on Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Steam as well as PS4 and PS3. A full roster update will arrive on September 15 to represent the changes made in the Summer transfer window.
This review was conducted on Xbox One using a copy provided by Konami.
