PES 2017 Review: Better than FIFA?

If you are as football-obsessed as the majority of the population of this planet, then there are really just two recognized ways to sate your soccer fever – FIFA 17 and PES 2017.  These two rivals have long been waging their own secret and footy wars on each other. And excitedly kicking us, our money and emotions back and forth between them with their spiked boots. With their battle arena being in magnificently fulsome online and print ads, video gaming consoles, and PC devices. Nor does the fast-and-furious battle show any sign of drawing to a close or even being negotiated to something resembling a weary draw anytime soon. Instead, the show – and war – must go on.

Ardent fans of both sides have additionally never lost the opportunity of deriding the other and mocking them as heretics who know about as much of the beautiful football game as a donkey knows how to solve algebra. With the launch of this year’s PES 2017, fresh battle lines have been drawn, reps feverishly buffed and weapons honed and readied for battle. Next year, expect the cycle to repeat itself. So, here we are reviewing PES 2017.

What’s inside the PES 2017

Well, is the new PES all it’s cracked up to be? Should the likes of FIFA and EA start worriedly looking over their shoulders at the approach of their bitter enemy arraigned in finery and seeking to steal new fans for themselves? Maybe. And maybe not. For 2017 the great guys at Konami have presented us with a grandly reloaded game, the stuff epic dribbling orgasms are made of. But the jury is still out on whether or not it’s much of an improvement over last year’s ultra-magnificent series. Still, we did notice some improvements. Here they are:

Rad New Goalkeepers

Well, yours truly have never been a fan of goalkeepers being liable to making outstanding whoopers now and then for no obvious fault of mine. Or theirs really. It’s just the result of some coding gone grievously wrong. As sometimes happened on PES 2016 to my everlasting mortification. Especially when seeking to school my mates in the science and art of sweet soccer. Only to see the tables quickly turned and get my ass handed to me on a silver platter.

Luckily, among the first things you get to notice about this year’s game is the much-improved quality of goalkeeping. In fact, the goalkeepers seem to have been gifted a new and better brain and are thus better able to react to the ever-dynamic on-pitch action. And also assert a charming personality and individuality all their very own. They spectacularly pull off all manner of acrobatic saves and show more than enough intelligence and foresight for you to really start thinking of them as actual flesh and blood people rather than some obscure if brilliantly tweaked lines of code.

More Realistic Opponents

For this year’s PES edition, Konami has really outdone itself with its AI and its abilities. When facing them, expect to get in the fight of your life as they will seamlessly and ultra-flexibly react to your tactics, substitutions, and pretty much every little thing you do in a bid to make you bite the dust. They are not infallible, nor will they throw a game to please your ego. Similarly, the graphics have been ramped up, and you get players who actually resemble the real deal rather than looking like dressed-up robots.

Gameplay

This football game overall has been made much more interesting and engaging. Dribbling, shooting, and tackling all feel nearly effortless. However, your moves will depend on the skill levels of your player. So, don’t be expecting miracles or a player who has never pulled a stunt in real life to suddenly get magic feet just because that is what you want. More, this well might be the year and the game that Konami has chosen to showcase how awesome dribbling can be. The controls to do so are now easier, both to execute and memorize.

Few Licensed Teams

Sure, it really makes no impact on how the game is played. But there is no denying the thrill we feel when controlling the likes of Man City. Or the Red Devils. However, that is not going to happen, at least not on PES 2017. With bitter rival FIFA 17 hogging the vast majority of licensed teams and leagues, all you get in PES 2017 is the poor man’s imitation, with familiar teams given outlandish names. So, don’t be expecting to see most of LaLiga and EPL teams. If that’s a deal-breaker for you, my condolences are on offer. Still, you are considerately given the option of importing self-made ‘Option Files’ to keep your teams as up-to-date as your mother-in-law’s tongue.

Online Woes

Slowing down the beautiful soccer game online is patchy connectivity, which is a real pity as it offers you the opportunity of testing your skills against other equally rabidly-fanatic players. While you can use myClub – which mimics the Ultimate team of FIFA 17- to determine if your friends and fam are really as football-savvy and skilled as they claim, it might be best not to bother.

During the time we tested the feature, it often worked as advertised and often did not. To the point of making us want to slug the first Konami rep, we might come across. More, expect to wait nearly a century for opponents to show up and even if they do, most games will invariably be laggy and will occasionally and unexpectedly disconnect you no matter how Hercules-strong is your connection.

Authentic Stadium Atmosphere

The atmosphere of a real football game is quite accurately recreated in the game. In response to the actions taking place on the field, the spectators chant, cheer, and jeer. It delivers an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re part of a genuine football stadium when combined with authentic sound effects.

Impressive weather and lighting effects

PES 2017 has stunning lighting and weather effects, which further enhance the game’s realism. Dynamic lighting technology creates realistic shadows on the field by faithfully simulating various times of the day. Additionally, weather conditions like rain and snow have an impact on the game, changing how the ball moves and how well the players execute.

Exciting Game Modes

1. Become a Legend

You can create and control a single player in the “Become a Legend” mode, taking them from their early career all the way to football stardom. This mode offers a distinctive viewpoint and lets users experience the struggles and victories of a football player’s journey.

2. Master League

The beloved Master League mode is included in PES 2017, allowing users to manage a team and lead them to victory. As you take part in leagues and tournaments, you can control the team’s different facets, such as transfers, training, and tactics.

3. Edit Mode

The extensive Edit Mode in PES 2017 is one of its best features since it enables users to alter and modify several game elements. The Edit Mode provides countless opportunities for personalization and creativity, from modifying team uniforms, emblems, and the player looks to designing unique competitions and leagues.

4. Online Multiplayer

Players may compete against friends or people from across the world in PES 2017’s extensive online multiplayer capabilities. The online multiplayer feature extends the life of the game by introducing a social and competitive component, whether it be a friendly match or a competitive tournament.

5. MyClub

You can create and manage your own dream squad with PES 2017’s MyClub game mode. Players can get recruited by scouting, auctions, or in-game money. You may take part in a variety of contests and challenges as you assemble your team to evaluate the abilities and strategies of your squad.

Modding Support and Customization Options

With the support for modding in PES 2017, gamers may further improve and personalize the experience. A variety of fresh material, such as updated player rosters, enhanced aesthetics, and new stadiums, has been produced by the modding community. With this modding support, players have the freedom to customize the game to their taste, and this keeps the game vastly more engaging!

Verdict on PES 2017

PES 2017 feels like a work in progress, rather than an actual finished product out to really take the fight to EA and halt its massive sales success. Overall, there is a lot to recommend over the opposition, but they just are not powerful, addictive, and entertaining enough. If you like your football with all the bells and whistles, you would be better advised to go the EA route for it. If, however, you like the game with no frills, don’t currently desire online gameplay, and want all the emphasis to be towards on-pitch action, then you are in luck mate. Because PES 2017 will take good and footy care of you!