It’s that time of the year again when we get our annually release of one of the two biggest football gaming franchises in the industry, its PES vs. FIFA and as often is the case, Konami are the first to get their team through the tunnel and on to the pitch. Trying to get one devoted fan to buy into the other, is a near impossible task, unless that person is in need of something new, but sometimes, we can enjoy the best of both worlds, however, we’ll save the PES vs. FIFA topic for another day. So let’s get to the point of this review and let’s get talking about Pro Evolution Soccer 2018.
It’s getting to that stage in this genre, especially with the big two, that its getting increasingly difficult to improve upon already top notch games, where in most cases, if it’s not a big change with a new mode or campaign (as seen if FIFA’s Journey mode), we have to accept that subtle tweaks here and there will just have to do and to be honest, I’m happy with that, because PES 18 is an absolute joy to play.
The gameplay is a little slower than last year’s outing and this is a change that I welcome. In comparison to FIFA 17, PES 17 was always that little slower paced, while FIFA was faster paced. However, the subtly slower pace of PES 18 is a welcomed tweak indeed, because it allows for the game to have a more natural flow of pace during the match. It gives you time to think about your next move, to perhaps make a more decisive decision that could change the balance of the game. While you will still need to combine the use of the triggers and analogue sticks to pull off some silky skills, there are some ‘subtle’ (yes, that word again) improvements made to the dribbling via the use of both analogue sticks. You won’t be pulling-off top-end Ronaldinho sticks by just using them, but you will have more control when on the move.
Using the analogue sticks, you will also pull-off moves such as shielding the ball away from a defender in the hope of dropping the shoulder to get a shot in on goal, shimmy, a jinxing step-over or wrong footing a player for an attacking advantage, or as a defender, shield the ball away from the opposing attacker. It may not be all that noticeable at first, but you will find yourself pulling-off these moves without even really thinking about it as it feels like a natural use of the analogue sticks whether you’re attacking or defending.
The AI has also been improved upon, with your team mates anticipating your next move as they signal for a pass, make a well time run off the game awaiting that perfect through-ball or even double-up in defence as you and your AI counterpart do your utmost best to box-in the likes of Eden Hazard in the corner of the pitch. With improved AI, also come improved animations. You may not notice it during real-time, but when you have time to appreciate a slow-motion replay, the facial expression on a players face will reflect the on-pitch predicament with uncanny emotion and detail. Players will also collide with one another in a realistic fashion,, use various parts of the body to control the ball if needs be, even when Luis Suarez attempts to con the referee holding his face in immense pain as he desperately tries to win his team a penalty (which may even result in a booking for simulation).
However, arguably the biggest improvement made to the AI and animations comes in the form of the goalkeepers. In PES games of past, an on-going issue has been with the unreliable and frustrating goalkeeping that will no doubt cost you many a match, usually in the CPU’s favour. Now after hours of game time in PES 18, I can safely say that goalkeepers no longer feel like a liability (unless you’re playing as a low-end team). So if you have the likes of the legendary Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, you can bet your bottom dollar that we will be every bit the world class keeper you expect him to be and more animated then a steroid induced Mr Motivator. In the unlikely event that he does make an error, it feels far more natural, rather than botched AI screwing you over cheaply late on in the match.
Aside from all the on-pitch improvements, the ever popular Master League has also had somewhat of a mini-overhaul. For example, its User Interface is a little easier on the eye with a more inviting layout and colour scheme, making it more pleasurable to navigate through its menu system. You can also participate in pre-season tournaments, as well as one-off friendlies. Giving you an added insight as to how you want to prepare your team for the big season ahead. While PES 18’s modes is way-off from the likes of FIFA’s Journey from a narrative and storytelling perspective, cut-scenes have now been introduced into the Master League, making you feel even more invested with your players, press and any outgoing/incoming transfers. It’s still got some way to go to ever compete with FIFA in this respect, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
MyClub and Become a Legend has again returned, with MyClub being the PES offering to the immensely popular FIFA Ultimate Team, giving you the chance to build your perfect dream time to take on the CPU or other players teams from across the globe, which now has a co-op feature. Path of the Legend offers more of the same as seen before, but after sampling FIFA 17’s Journey and now with its story follow-up in FIFA 18, Journey has left me feeling spoilt and has me wanting Konami to up their game from a narrative perspective with next year’s instalment of Become a Legend, fingers crossed they make that happen.
Despite having licenses such as the UEFA Champions League, the EUROPA League and many of the world’s top club cup competitions, PES continues to lack in terms of official licenses, especially when compared to the FIFA franchise. The official league licenses in PES 18 include Ligue 1, Ligue 2, Eredivisie, Campeonato Brasileiro and the AFC Champions League. Italia’s Serie A is partially all licensed, except from Juventus. In terms of England, Spain and Portugal, only Arsenal, Liverpool, Fulham (yep, Fulham), FC Barcelona, Valencia, FC Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are licensed. The Bundesliga is also absent and that includes once more giants Bayern Munich, with only Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Schalke representing Germany.
PES 18 does have 15 official partnership which means that players, kits and stadiums have all had added attention to detail and care, such as Alianza Lima, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Colo Colo, Corinthians, Flamengo, Fulham, Independiente, Inter, Liverpool, Palmeiras, River Plate, Sporting Cristal, Universidad de Chile and Valencia. However, there is a fantastic work around the lack of licenses and that comes in the form of the awesome folks over at PES World. Keep an eye on their website and Twitter; because soon they have a free access to downloads that will update players, kits, competitions and more. While they’re all free to download when available, you can also give them a kind donation for their hard work if you wish.
It’s another year and it’s another PES, and the chances are if you’re a PES diehard, you will already have your copy secured. Should you be on the fence as to whether or not to re-invest again this year, rest assured that with PES already being a mighty fine experience on the pitch, developers PES Productions have made enough tweaks and subtle enhancements needed to already improve on an already stellar football game, whether you indulge in its officially licensed club tournaments, the Master League or MyClub, online play or some good old couch co-op with a friend, PES 18 is a sublime football game and will forever more having you say “one more game”.