Pro Evolution Soccer 2011

[FifaInspected]

It's not on LIVE yet.

Nothing listed under Pro Evolution..

[tjung0831]

It's not on LIVE yet.

Nothing listed under Pro Evolution..

Yeah...keyword there was PS3!

[toonarmy]

I played the demo last night numerous times...game feels way better than the FIFA 11 demo to me. I played FIFA 11 right after and that game felt like driving a tank compared to the PES demo. I'll be grabbing PES11 without a doubt. Gameplay mechanics felt really good and it felt lively and didn't feel canned or scripted to me. Very impressed with the PES11 demo.....very very nice.

I alternated playing both demos after I played an initial 4 matches in PES. PES feels fluid and right to me while FIFA feels kind of stiff and unnatural in terms of gameplay. I have stayed off the FIFA thread since a lot of folks over there are enjoying the game and it's pointless to point out all the issues with the AI and gameplay since PES will have its own set of issues. I guess it all comes down to how a person prefers their football to play, and PES 2011 comes closest to replicating football and at the same time yielding off-the-chart fun factor for me. I've been playing Konami soccer since the Nintendo cartridge days and this year may be my favorite iteration yet, at least based on the demo. I'm noticing so many of the little things the developer has improved that it's not even funny. Thank goodness the FIFA series has pushed Konami to up their game finally.

[FifaInspected]

It's not on LIVE yet.

Nothing listed under Pro Evolution..

Yeah...keyword there was PS3!

No kidding. The XBOX has always been treated like an open sore by Konami.

[tjung0831]

I played the demo last night numerous times...game feels way better than the FIFA 11 demo to me. I played FIFA 11 right after and that game felt like driving a tank compared to the PES demo. I'll be grabbing PES11 without a doubt. Gameplay mechanics felt really good and it felt lively and didn't feel canned or scripted to me. Very impressed with the PES11 demo.....very very nice.

I alternated playing both demos after I played an initial 4 matches in PES. PES feels fluid and right to me while FIFA feels kind of stiff and unnatural in terms of gameplay. I have stayed off the FIFA thread since a lot of folks over there are enjoying the game and it's pointless to point out all the issues with the AI and gameplay since PES will have its own set of issues. I guess it all comes down to how a person prefers their football to play, and PES 2011 comes closest to replicating football and at the same time yielding off-the-chart fun factor for me. I've been playing Konami soccer since the Nintendo cartridge days and this year may be my favorite iteration yet, at least based on the demo. I'm noticing so many of the little things the developer has improved that it's not even funny. Thank goodness the FIFA series has pushed Konami to up their game finally.

Yep....that's how a soccer game should feel to me and PES11 feels very lively and fluid. No doubt the fun factor is going to be off the charts and that's always the most important part about a game to me.

[EZSnappin]

I'm with Rod: The full PC version of PES 2011 feels like a case of same sh*t, different year. All of the same flaws that drive me nuts about Konami soccer every year are still there: Sleepy defensive AI for the human player, wooden controls, not enough fouls, too much reliance on special moves and controller combinations, horrible commentary and atmosphere, terrible defense down the flanks by the CPU team allowing almost unlimited crosses, etc.

Maybe the console version has made big strides.

I saw those same flaws playing the PS3 demo. I hope that the final product is different; the final FIFA is leaps and bounds better than the demo. Still has plenty of problems, but is a hugely improved product over last year.

The demo of PES 2011 is an improvement over last year, particularly in the controls - passing feels great, and player movement is much more responsive. However, the AI for your teammates is a game killer for me. I'd rather have morons try to dribble through places they can't (as they do in FIFA) than have them ignore the ball on defense (as they do in the PES demo).

[pk500]

The demo of PES 2011 is an improvement over last year, particularly in the controls - passing feels great, and player movement is much more responsive. However, the AI for your teammates is a game killer for me. I'd rather have morons try to dribble through places they can't (as they do in FIFA) than have them ignore the ball on defense (as they do in the PES demo).

Well said. I'm not overwhelmed by the defensive AI in FIFA, either. But at least you can make a tackle in that game instead of the AI strikers and midfielders doing the Denny Terio dance around you 75 percent of the time despite perfect positioning and a well-timed challenge.

It's a cheap way to attempt to balance AI that has existed in Konami soccer games forever, almost the same way it tries to give human players a bit of an edge by allowing them to run the flanks and cross the ball with impunity.

Sadly, FIFA 11 pushes my aging machine to the limit. I can run it with everything turned down, but it's still sluggish and looks like an Activision cartridge from the 2600 days.

Maybe I'll give PES 2011 another go, as it runs well on my machine. Or maybe I'll just skip a footie game this year.

[10spro]

When I played the European demo a few weeks back I mentioned that I was 'meh' about it. After playing through a couple of matches, I was left with mixed emotions. There were some elements that annoyed me, such as how players run. There seemed to be some kind of stop-start problem, and it felt like players were being weighed down by some kind of invisible force. Messi was caught up by the average Joe defender while the ball dribbling seemed redundant and overdone.

What I did like was the revamped passing system. They don't always meet the intended target so users have a larger degree of control now as it's effectively a toned down manual pass from previous games, so things like deflections looked more organic and natural.

I am having a god time with Fifa so far other than the server issues over the weekend. For the last few years, Konami made baby changes to the playing engine that were marginal and the in-game modes weren't inspiring either.

However, in terms of ball possession of ball I do enjoy the middle play with Pro Evo as tactically speaking, it always had an edge over EA. With Fifa the gameplay seems to go through the Wingers and through balls and it's almost impossible to build up plays in centrefield. Still, I think the AI on this demo is suspicious and until the final product is out, this maybe the fist time in years that I may just skip this title.

[ScoopBrady]

I checked this demo out over the weekend and went right back to playing FIFA 11. I thought the pace of the game was way too fast (maybe there's an option to slow it down, I didn't check) but the game did feel fluid. Both games have good and bad things about them and when it comes down to it FIFA has way more licensed teams and leagues as well as OTP and Be a Pro. I just think it offers way more value for the price than PES 2011.

[pk500]

I checked this demo out over the weekend and went right back to playing FIFA 11. I thought the pace of the game was way too fast (maybe there's an option to slow it down, I didn't check) but the game did feel fluid. Both games have good and bad things about them and when it comes down to it FIFA has way more licensed teams and leagues as well as OTP and Be a Pro. I just think it offers way more value for the price than PES 2011.

Fair enough on OTP and Be A Pro. But PES has a MUCH more vibrant mod community. I can guarantee you that current team names, jerseys, rosters and stadiums will be available for just as many teams as in FIFA within a couple of weeks or so.

[Rodster]

I checked this demo out over the weekend and went right back to playing FIFA 11. I thought the pace of the game was way too fast (maybe there's an option to slow it down, I didn't check) but the game did feel fluid. Both games have good and bad things about them and when it comes down to it FIFA has way more licensed teams and leagues as well as OTP and Be a Pro. I just think it offers way more value for the price than PES 2011.

Fair enough on OTP and Be A Pro. But PES has a MUCH more vibrant mod community. I can guarantee you that current team names, jerseys, rosters and stadiums will be available for just as many teams as in FIFA within a couple of weeks or so.

Yup that's why PES is superior to FIFA because of the mod community. Stadiums, Kit's, boots, balls, adverts, and leagues are a plenty in the PC version of PES. I wish I knew how to import that stuff but i'm so lazy I just go after the supermod instead.

[ScoopBrady]

I checked this demo out over the weekend and went right back to playing FIFA 11. I thought the pace of the game was way too fast (maybe there's an option to slow it down, I didn't check) but the game did feel fluid. Both games have good and bad things about them and when it comes down to it FIFA has way more licensed teams and leagues as well as OTP and Be a Pro. I just think it offers way more value for the price than PES 2011.

Fair enough on OTP and Be A Pro. But PES has a MUCH more vibrant mod community. I can guarantee you that current team names, jerseys, rosters and stadiums will be available for just as many teams as in FIFA within a couple of weeks or so.

I should have added that I'm strictly talking about the console versions where there are no such mods. That would definitely add more value to the title for my tastes.

[JRod]

I checked this demo out over the weekend and went right back to playing FIFA 11. I thought the pace of the game was way too fast (maybe there's an option to slow it down, I didn't check) but the game did feel fluid. Both games have good and bad things about them and when it comes down to it FIFA has way more licensed teams and leagues as well as OTP and Be a Pro. I just think it offers way more value for the price than PES 2011.

Fair enough on OTP and Be A Pro. But PES has a MUCH more vibrant mod community. I can guarantee you that current team names, jerseys, rosters and stadiums will be available for just as many teams as in FIFA within a couple of weeks or so.

Yup that's why PES is superior to FIFA because of the mod community. Stadiums, Kit's, boots, balls, adverts, and leagues are a plenty in the PC version of PES. I wish I knew how to import that stuff but i'm so lazy I just go after the supermod instead.

Like Scoop said, it's an advantage for the PC. The PS3/360 will have limited mods. But it's not superior because of the mod community. Ultimately, if the gameplay isn't right it doesn't matter how much modding is done.

[Feanor]

The editing features available on the PS3 version are pretty extensive, even if proper modding isn't possible.

[10spro]

The editing features available on the PS3 version are pretty extensive, even if proper modding isn't possible.

And for that reason alone, I would be inclined to buy the PS3 version if indeed I end up buying the 11 version this year. I may just be content with FIFA.

[toonarmy]

The editing features available on the PS3 version are pretty extensive, even if proper modding isn't possible.

No doubt, not to mention there is a stadium editor to go along with the kit, badge, etc editors. The option file I used for PES 2010 was great. I'm sure there will be a really good option file for 2011 within short order.

[pk500]

PES 2011 on the PC may have its flaws, but the more I play it, the more I really appreciate the new passing system.

It almost feels like assisted manual passing. You can put the ball into space without using the through-ball button, yet you often must control your player to chase down the ball. Plus no pass is guaranteed to land perfectly at your teammates' feet.

This passing system makes the game on offense feel much less like pinball or a hockey video game. If you can think one play ahead or see the start of a run by one of your teammates, you can create some beautiful offensive flow.

It's a very different feeling from what I'm accustomed with video game soccer. I dig it.

[10spro]

If you can think one play ahead or see the start of a run by one of your teammates, you can create some beautiful offensive flow. It's a very different feeling from what I'm accustomed with video game soccer. I dig it.

See, for me that's a big IF from what I've seen. I appreciate the new passing system. The AI is still a lot to be desired. My dudes rarely ever make useful runs off the ball, and if they do, they're to positions where you'd have better luck finding a needle in a haystack than actually completing the pass. I've also noticed that the D is tougher in the PS3 demo in terms of being very linear, holding down their positions religiously which is rare in a lengthy game.

[pk500]

If you can think one play ahead or see the start of a run by one of your teammates, you can create some beautiful offensive flow. It's a very different feeling from what I'm accustomed with video game soccer. I dig it.

See, for me that's a big IF from what I've seen. I appreciate the new passing system. The AI is still a lot to be desired. My dudes rarely ever make useful runs off the ball, and if they do, they're to positions where you'd have better luck finding a needle in a haystack than actually completing the pass. I've also noticed that the D is tougher in the PS3 demo in terms of being very linear, holding down their positions religiously which is rare in a lengthy game.

That's odd, James. I'm enjoying more runs into space for nice chances than ever before in a PES game. But there is a catch: Most of the runs are coming off simple passes to space without the through ball, and I'm taking manual control of the player immediately after I pass. The strategy works really well, and it feels like soccer. I'm playing at the medium of the five skill levels.

It took me quite a few games to stop hammering the through ball button and realizing this tactic works. Again, PES 2011 is forcing me to rethink how I play video game soccer. I like that.

[FifaInspected]

the 360 demo can drop any day now....


I hope they iron out the online performance issues. WE9 seemed to be the last strong online outing for this franchise. Seems like it's been all downhill since. I had to quit more games than complete in PES10 due to lag.

Crossing fingers..

[fsquid]

Gaming Access should be releasing their patch for the PC today. Will rename players, add some players and stadiums, etc.

[fsquid]

and here it is

http://www.gamingaccess.com/Pro_Evoluti ... y_Patch_10

[dougb]

God I'm loving this game - reminds me what I loved about the Classic PES versions before the screw ups began. Dynamic gameplay where teams vary their attacks. Playing the Copa with god knows who and won 1-0 on a free kick that deflected off the wall and wrong footed the keeper. Lovely pace to the game.

Best wishes,

Doug

[FifaInspected]

Still waiting for the US 360 demo to arrive. I've tried multiple times to build a silver UK account and I get an error when it attempts to finalize the account, After i've selected a GT.. I'm using a UK phone number (Fulham's ticket office) Anyone have any ideas what's keeping the silver account from working?

[FifaInspected]

The Demo has finally arrived on USA XBOX LIVE marketplace.