What makes Soccer great? Perhaps it is scoring the game winning goal only 29-seconds into the game to defeat your heavily favored opposition and win the first Olympic gold medal in soccer for your home country. Just ask Mexico, their national team defeated Brazil in that exact fashion. Soccer is a game of exhilarating moments and missed opportunities, although the same axiom is shared by all sports. So what makes video game soccer great? In my opinion it is a video game that best recreates those exhilarating moments and doesn't cheapen the act of losing.
Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer '13's demo creates some exhilarating moments, but also makes losing feel like something predetermined by the computer-controlled refs. The game has yet to hit its stride this console generation, but the new demo does suggest a glimmer of optimism.
Konami uses a new system called PES FullControl that gives players manual control over the in-game players and the ball. This sets the game apart from FIFA Soccer '12, which for the most part uses predetermined animations.
The problem I had with this gaming mechanic is that the learning curve is rather steep, I'm not complaining about it. I think the control system will be very rewarding once a player puts in the time and effort into learning the system. I did find that it took me a longer time to get use to the passing and shooting system. There were many times the CPU blocked my opening, before I could pull off an attempt at a wide open kick on goal. When I was able to capitalize on an opening created by the games passing system, I scored an amazing goal off my animated forehead. However the goal was cheapened when I realized the CPU's goalie nose-dived in the opposite direction of the incoming ball.
Another issue with the game is the refs, who miss penalties by the CPU controlled team so often, I felt like they were digitalized versions of former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who allegedly point-shaved and bet on games during his career.
It is hard to judge the game by a small demonstration of game play, but I believe Pro Evolution Soccer '13 has the fundamentals in place to offer soccer fans something that is both intuitive and satisfying. It just takes some time to become accustomed to the game's cadence. Konami's title also sports some of the best looking player models and animation in a soccer game. I think Pro Evolution Soccer '13 will offer a competitive alternative to FIFA Soccer '13, when the two games release this fall.
Here are some of the features that Pro Evolution Soccer '13 is sporting in this year's edition...
Total Freedom of Control: Pro Evolution Soccer introduced the concept of freedom of movement, the new 'PES FC' in PES 2013 goes further with total freedom over ball control.
Dynamic First Touch: PES 2013 introduces subtle ways to receive the ball, from traps, gently lifting it past an attacker to run on to or a variety of other moves. First touch is everything and players can trap the ball using the R2 button, killing the speed of a well-hit pass and bringing it instantly under control, or using the momentum of the pass to turn a defender.
Full Manual Shooting and Full Manual Passing: PES 2013 offers fully manual passing and for the first time ever manual shooting, allowing users to determine the height and power of each. Long low passes can be sent skimming across the pitch, while shooting the user has total control over where the shot is placed. Skill and precision are needed to master these, but passes can be made into open areas, allowing lone strikers to thrive, while offering an unrivalled variety in ways to score.
Dribbling: The speed with which a player moves with the ball has been slowed in line with real matches, but using R2 allows players to add various styles to their close control. Players can vary the speed of their dribbling, and cushion the ball as they move freely within a 360-degree circle. The new system allows players to knock a ball past a player and collect it, nutmeg them, or hold up play by shielding the ball as team mates find space and make runs.
Full Manual One-Two: Active one-two passes can be made, with the second player being moved in any direction), facilitating various tactical movements.
Response Defending: Countering the attacking options the new dribbling system offers, is a beautifully-balanced defense system. Players can use R2 and X to slow an attack, with a double-tap of the X button prompting a perfectly-timed challenge. Full 360-degree control means that players can check runs and steal the ball from a parallel position, while the individuality element will see world renowned defenders using aerial dominance of physicality to win the ball.
Goalkeepers: Even the game's 'keepers benefit from more control, while their distribution is more precise thanks to the addition of a power gauge when they throw the ball, creating opportunities for new, quicker counter attacks.
Watch the games E3 Trailer below...
