Konami announced its next contribution to match day action earlier this week with Pro Evolution Soccer 2012. An overhaul of the AI engine is seemingly the focus this time around making for a more realistic experience.
While we liked last years attempt in a lot of ways, we ultimately felt that it was making strides in a direction that wasn't what fans of classic PES were really looking for. Words like 'realistic' and 'immersive' are all well and good to an extent, but ultimately don't flag up the strengths of the series for us.
Here are the things we want to hear in the next Konami team talk that'll make us run to the shops inspired come release day.
COMMENTARY
We don't know about you but when we're playing PES with mates the first thing we do is turn the sound right down. We just can't stand the standard of punditry smeared over the beautiful game and that's a criticism which, unfortunately, we've fired without remorse all the way through the series.
Granted there are some culprits who are worse than others (we're looking at you Lawro) but by and large the men behind the mic in Pro Evo, from Brooking to Beglin, have been shocking.
FIFA has had this nailed for years (if you'll excuse repeated phrases after a significant amount of hours) with natural, flowing, anecdotal conversation between the two commentators that sounds incredibly authentic.
At its best the PES commentary has sounded flat and out of place, at worst its sounded like Mark Lawrenson is auditioning to play the part of himself in a spoof film about his own life.
We don't know exactly what technique EA Sports uses to get the most out of whatever commentary team it's using (they can't be the best of actors) but whatever the key is Konami needs to work it out this time around since punditry is such a crucial part of the televised football experience. At the moment the PES match day experience is suffering.
LICENSES
The other aspect of Pro Evo that gives the series a major dig in the kidneys of authenticity is names like 'Manchester Bluebirds' and 'The Chelsea'. Okay so we made those names up, but we're not exaggerating too much.
In an ideal world we'd like PES to be as rich in licenses as its main competitor, which we know can never happen because of the stranglehold EA Sports has on that little nugget. We also know that for many, hearing a fake name or two is no biggie. It's just, for us, hearing a clearly fake name screamed from the commentary box on every shot is another reason for us to turn the sound down, and we're tired of spending weekends changing names or searching for update files.
We have to say though that things have significantly improved on this front in recent years and we're hoping to see developments in license acquisition continue at a rate. Most key players have managed to win back their names and hopefully that trend will spread further..
Comments
15 comments so far...
richard99 on 14 May '11 said:
A mayan apocalypse mid season would be a nice touch
OckMc on 14 May '11 said:
real names they should have sorted it years ago if they had i would never have switched over to Fifa and realised it is actually a better game oh well too late now...
burnsyboy2004 on 14 May '11 said:
Bring back 'scenarios' they were awesome. Liverpool 3-0 down vs AC Milan at half time in the CL Final would be a good one. Make the comeback in your own way.......
And sort out trying to win headers when you are off the ball. When a goalkick/freekick is made, who ever is closest out of the players will win the header unchallenged. Let the players wrestle to win the ball like in FIFA.
rickstamaru69 on 14 May '11 said:
Positioning your player using super cancel means you can challenge for any headers. Last years PES was the best for years but a lot of gamers nowadays are used to the pick up and play nature of FIFA so dont bother with PES.
Fifa is for the kids but the mans footy sim is PES and always will be.
Ali_ on 14 May '11 said:
Penguins. On mopeds. With RPGs. And an a giant kangaroo called Brian.
Zubee on 14 May '11 said:
Does PES still have random selection matches? Those were awesome.
EDIT: and when you could spend your pes points on your players riding ostriches... I can't remember if that was pes 5 or 6 or both.
mitch91 on 14 May '11 said:
I think this article has missed the #1 problem with PES- animation. Compared to FIFA it just looks robotic and feels 'jagged' to play. I'd be willing (and had been willing up to this year) to put up with the eccentricities if it looked and felt like real people playing football.
Noobsaibot on 14 May '11 said:
As for licences.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX9fWNRBXyM
PS3 & 360 - No console mods or cheats necessary
The_Jaster on 15 May '11 said:
I want the training games back like practicing your dribbling skills through the cones & long range passes on to the marked bulls eye targets etc.
rbt2 on 15 May '11 said:
I wanna be able to play as The Mighty CPFC as it's the only way, as with Fifa, that we can win The Prem, Champs League and FA Cup.
GoonerMan on 15 May '11 said:
hopefully pes will be back to its free flowing best soon. fifa is good but is more pick up and play for anyone where'as pes was always for ppl with a football brain.
Eclipse Dj on 16 May '11 said:
I'll be getting PES 2012 on my Wii and 3DS for that very reason - the old PES engine is far more enjoyable to play.
The move towards simulation on my Xbox 360 version of 2011 resulted in me losing interest in it after a few months (this has never happened previously, I usually play it until the new version is released) Luckily the Wii version of it still has that PES magic - fun, exciting matches that are a joy to play and make you want to have "just one more game."
Commentary surely isn't that hard for Konami to nail. Just get them in the studio and record them commentating naturally on a series of different matches and situations. That way it won't sound scripted or corny, with dodgey wooden acting and should flow much better.
Animations improved massively in 2011 and should be matching FIFA's in 2012.
Licenses aren't a huge issue for me (option files are great and easy to implement) but Konami has improved on them each year. It like to see them retain the Champions League/Europa licences and add to them with other licenced tournaments such as FA/Carling Cup. It would be nice to have a Championship Division too.
For the Wii and 3DS versions of 2012 I'd love to see Scenarios brought back (they were excellent single -player challenges), better editing options, more save slots for editing and replays. Allow you to view your option file kits when playing online like 360/PS3 do. I'd like to be able to use play-maker controls against a classic control in 2 player local matches. Play-maker controls on 3DS touch screen. Online voice chat.
360 PES 2012 - once commentary, animations, online play - goalkeepers, advantage rule and other bug fixes are sorted. I'd like to see improved editing options and more save slots, Manager likenesses with editing and team registering options.
hull_boy22 on 16 May '11 said:
Commentary, licences, the other add-ons are irrelevant. All that matters is they fix the gameplay. If I get another CVG review for 2012 that is anything other than a top score, I'll continue my boycott that began with last years version. If I wanted an average game, I'd of settled for FIFA all these years.
Antibody on 16 May '11 said:
For now, nothing, they said rebuilding the PES franchise will take some years. So when they're ready to bring PES back to its old glory. I will make the jump, but for now, not.
conde on 17 May '11 said:
If you looking for the best soccer game, don't wasted your time on this new crap that konami and fifa putting out every year. Go on ebay and look for the game call "Winning Eleven 7: International" for the PS2 and you'll see what I'm talking about. Yep this game is more than 10 years old already, but it kick all the new crap ass.