Pro Evolution Soccer 2011

[pk500]

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

Very well said, Doug. The more I play PES 2011, the more I think it's the best soccer game I've played.

Have you found a good option file yet for the PC version? I know a big, unofficial patch is available with new stadiums, balls, boards, rosters and kits, but all I want is a basic option file with correct team names for the unlicensed leagues, accurate rosters reflecting summer transfers and updated kits and badges.

[pk500]

Sorry, double post.

[fsquid]

I think the guys at PES Edit make an option file.

[pk500]

I think the guys at PES Edit make an option file.

Thanks.

[dougb]

PK,

That PES Edit is the only one I've seen that has been discussed much so it's probably a pretty good bet. I've not actually bothered with any option files yet as I'm having a blast with the Copa competition playing a bunch of teams I know absolutely nothing about. The tactical management portion of the game is nice and deep although in common with a lot of software publishers these days the manual doesn't provide much help in explaining that part.

Winning most of my games right now on Pro so might need to bump it up to Top Player. I've played a couple of beautiful lobs over the top to strikers running in! There are a few AI issues I think sometimes where players aren't making an off the ball run I think they should (wings in particular) but it may be something to do with the way I've got the tactics set up. Love the way they've implemented the physical aspects of jostling and fighting for the ball with the defender and shielding the attacker off the ball - little stumbles etc. It was reported that there was an absence of fouls but in general I'm finding that they're being called pretty well by the ref. Love the variety of animations when players go down - sometimes a big shove sends them flying and sometimes it looks like they've been shot after the barest of touches as they go by.

Interesting I probably won't bother getting this for a console as I'm having a blast single player and the graphics are very nice.

Best wishes,

Doug

[rhymes450]

Apparently, those who like to have the toughest possible route through Master League should be careful with editing and option files this year. The October 15 post on my favourite PES blog gives the details:

http://peschronicles.co.uk/

[dougb]

Got knocked out as Cruzeiro in the knockout stage of the Copa - having an absolute blast playing the game. There's much more tactical thinking and adjustment required in this game than Fifa I feel. And while there are still some things about the AI that look a bit iffy at times, I feel like I'm playing against a team of 11 individuals rather than a regimented midfield and defensive line in FIFA. Which is not to say that Fifa is not an excellent game in its own right - I'm glad that there are two good footie games and when I get a bit tired of one I can always switch off to the other.

Best wishes,

Doug

[dougb]

Love Master League! There's nothing like my old friend Castolo missing sitters in the 6 yard box, or Burchet racing down the wing, blazing past defenders only to realize he can't pass or shoot worth a damn Mind you I had a cracking defender from my youth squad and managed to pair him up with another defender brought in on a transfer for 50,000. Played 2 0-0 draws so far. Ordaz is an absolute pylon sitting behind Castolo so I may have to bring Huylens on.

Not many in the stands for some reason...

Best wishes,

Doug

[tjung0831]

360 demo is up

[Macca00]

Doug,

Few questions;

Where did you get the PC version of PES 2011 from? Since I've got a solid PC now I'm thinking of skipping the consoles for this one. Did you 'acquire' it or is there an online retailer selling it before the 19th?

Is it a Games for Windows Live game - i.e. are there Achievements? I do I have to sign into GFWL each time I play?

Cheers,
L

[dougb]

Doug,

Few questions;

Where did you get the PC version of PES 2011 from? Since I've got a solid PC now I'm thinking of skipping the consoles for this one. Did you 'acquire' it or is there an online retailer selling it before the 19th?

Is it a Games for Windows Live game - i.e. are there Achievements? I do I have to sign into GFWL each time I play?

Cheers,
L

Hi Lavan,

Holy s*** your asking me for advice on purchasing PES - I think I better check to see whether hell has frozen over yet!

I purchased via electronic download from http://uk-konami.gamesplanet.com

In typical Konami fashion, it had actually been posted as available when I ordered it and then had been indicated as pre-order. So what I got was the download link but then the serial, which you need to install it, wasn't sent at first and I got an email indicating that i had pre-ordered and that the serial would be sent a week later. If you want to see that sorry spectacle head over to Operation Sports Truly a marketing department that the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation would envy.

However, I did eventually get my pre-order and my sense now is that if you order it you want run into the same problems a bunch of us did since it's now officially released.

It's not a Windows Live game so no you don't have to bother with that nonsense (at least the download version isn't). Nice thing is that it automatically handles patches and content downloads - it'll indicate that these are available and then all you have to do is click on the icon and it downloads and installs automatically.

I'm getting very good performance with my duo core 2.13 cpu and my Geforce 7950 GT - there's the odd slowdown on replays but that appears to be a problem with the software than any framerate issue resulting from hardware. Love the graphics and atmosphere which I think is very good - particularly the lighting which looked incredible in 1 game I was playing where the sun was setting.

The old issue of just being able to run it down the wing unobstructed due to the idiotic play of Sb's has been dealt with effectively. I love the way passing is implemented - good passers are absolute killers and some of the crosses are absolutely whipped in!

Game is well worth it and has completely rekindled my enthusiasm for the series which had been waning a bit. Now if I can just figure out the management screen

Now I've got to see whether Castolo and pull his head out of his arse long enough to pot me an equalizer after Dodo decide to put the ball into the back of his own net - my first goal of any kind in 3 games!

[Jimmydeicide]

LOL Dodo suck balls did you miss the transfer window?

[dougb]

Figured I needed help on defense more than I needed to replace Dodo - probably a mistake there!

Ended up losing my game as Dodo couldn't hit a barn crossing the ball. Drew Ac Milan in the Italian Cup so might need an ambulance to take the squad away after the game.

Best wishes,

Doug

[dougb]

1st round of the Italian Cup

PES 2 AC Milan 0

Castolo heads in 2 second half goals for the shock result of all shock results. Will a 2 goal lead survive the trip to Milan?

[Macca00]

Thanks doug! Am downloading it now. Hopefully they send me my confirmation code!

[dougb]

And after beating AC Milan we returned to second division league action where a horrible goal keeping howler (ball ended up lying behind prostrate keeper and was kicked in by an on-rushing defender) was largely responsible for a 2-1 defeat. Actually Castolo tied it up with his 3rd goal in 2 games on an absolute scorcher from just outside the box but ultimately lost on a defensive blunder that led to a strike with the keeper rooted to his spot.

Great fun!

Best wishes,

Doug

[FifaInspected]

It's going to be very interesting to see how the online component of the new versions will work. I'm crossing my fingers that come Tuesday night this question will be answered.

Anyone here planning on picking it up for the 360?

[dougb]

Thanks doug! Am downloading it now. Hopefully they send me my confirmation code!

Of course I later looked at the pdf manual I received and they had windows games on the front cover - however the on-line portion didn't appear to have achievments or GWFL sign in.

Amazingly after a few inept league performances I headed up to Milan and managed to hold them to a 0-0 draw to take the cup tie 2-0 on aggregate. I played a defensive formation with only 1 forward up front and was badly outshot but played reasonably well defensively and rode some luck (ball hit defender on the line, popped up, and then was grabbed by the keeper reaching behind himself.

I've not been manually mucking about with the tactics too much and I love how the AI preset tactics change as the game and score change. I notice that when I'm down a goal my midfielders are more aggressive hopping into the play.

Best wishes,

Doug

[FifaInspected]

I just played a silky smooth game of PES on XBOX LIVE. Wow. it's been a long time since i've been able to say that.
Granted, it was one game, the next 20 could be a laggy mess...

[Jimmydeicide]

Got it for PS3.
First game Man u v Spurs on pro the defending was horrendous players just watch the ball go by on both teams that was really disappointing giving me the 65 bucks for this feeling , the next game was better Liverpool Blackpool lost 2-0 how sim is that? not changing to defenders right away and it was a little better but still gonna keep my eye on it as i feel its bad, really noticeable on replays.
Played Roma Shakter in champions just now and it was an awesome game no glaring issues.
Some odd fouls being called with aggressive tackles where the ball is clearly won first but still called (both ways)

Graphically its not great on ps3 noticeable jaggies and now finding out it may be easier to edit on xbox now than ps3 so thats disappointing as thats the reason i chose PS3, trying to edit now and its not going well gonna search some more.

Its not as revolutionary as i was expecting demo seemed more freely controlled than the full game to much ai assisted stuff going on still but when everything goes as planned it plays a really good game of footy .
I guess its more of the same really with better passing but nowhere near as good as fifas passing system.

Early impressions.

[FifaInspected]

For the last few years i've not enjoyed anything about Fifa offline. The game basically puts me to sleep.. I can't really explain it other.. it simply doesn't have "it" and the "oh my" moments are rare or non existent. I find it boring.

Last year I picked up PES 2010 and played 4 ML seasons and had a blast. Every game gave birth to multiple "wow" moments. Was the PES package as good as Fifa top to bottom? No... But PES 2010 had "it" and that's the reason I played it.

I feel the same about Fifa / PES this year. Once again Fifa is a great package, Online is amazing..However, halfway through my Bundesliga season the offline game play is leaving me bored and disengaged and that is where PES fits nicely into my rotation. I also feel as if there are moments where PES feel like a better representation of how the game is played on the pitch. I'm not sure who said it earlier, but their post was spot on.. Something about "feeling like i'm playing against 11 other players unlike Fifa's scripted, predictable shut down back line" (something like that) PES just feels real open and free flowing to me. Right or wrong, I assume I can put the ball wherever I want and expecting the unexpected is part of the fun of PES... I also like the space / spacing that is evident in PES. There's typically space to operate. I also think the attacking AI of the CPU is brilliant at times.. and very unpredictable. They actually try to score where i'm seeing so many obvious chances in FIFA where the attacker chooses to do nothing with the ball. I also don't like how easy it is to dispossess the ball carrier in Fifa (offline). PES has it's issues as well.

As soccer is my favorite game to play, I can justify having both games and will play them both a lot. The addition of more fluid PES games online last night is an added bonus. There's always going to be flaws with both games and that is where we need to remember that they are just that.. games.. to be enjoyed.

Option files via USB is a nice addition as well.

[Jimmydeicide]

Got the edit to work, still room for more as it comes. Mrgamtights or something.
I like the game but i find im having to press super cancel for the simplest of things as the ai assisted player seems to want to run away from the ball more than go at it and being in good position only to have the ball go right by my player i mean an inch away from him and he just watches it or runs along side it is killing any enjoyment im having at times as it sure seems im not in control of even the player with the cursor over his head.

Definitely got buyers remorse so far, and here i was waiting for Fifa to drop in price im just not gonna pay full price again.
Rodster keep me in the loop ill send you a list of games i want you do the rest

[Naples39]

You guys have really talked me into it, although there's probably something wrong with me if the idea of taking over a team of hopeless imaginary players sounds appealing . Kind of takes me back to NES sport games days, but I digress.

Like Fifa, I have really tried to get into FIFA a few years in a row, buying then selling 08, 09 and 10. I just don't have that much fun with it. Gameplay just feels wooden, and playing several games of the FIFA 11 demo and not seeing either team score a goal didn't help the matter. That and I hated manager mode in FIFA 10.

Played around with the PC version a little bit, and it's definitely disappointing that, as several people have pointed out, your CPU defenders are pretty dimwitted. Hopefully I can adjust to that.

Playing offense and doing things like timing the release of through balls to players making runs though was such a joy.

[Jimmydeicide]

There is something wrong with you if i talked you into it lol.

[10spro]

That and I hated manager mode in FIFA 10.

I don't think it's enough to change your mind but 11 is much improved in this mode.