@ranger_of_steel: Graphics have always been a major part of the industry, especially with the dawn of the polygon. The difference now is that technical mastery is no longer going hand in hand with gaming creativity. Take the examples of games like MGS, Mario 64, Resi 4 and so on, which were both creative and pushing the boundaries of graphics at the time.

Now, the disconnect is between graphics and creativity. What we label as indy developers are starting to push the boundaries of creativity but do not produce AAA titles and their games mostly look like something I would have seen 25 years ago.

AAA titles have the graphics but are fear fewer in number on an annual basis and consist largely of risk free gaming, i.e. fps, sports and the odd RPG.

@vespuche: I was just about to say this. Between the 2 betas, Titanfall was much more impressive, fluid and just plain fun. I sunk hours into that but with BF1 it got stale pretty quick, with the wide, boring map.

I havent bought a COD game in years but the future setting seems cool.

Are these global figures or national for whatever country you're in?

Because I'm pretty sure more people still play Crash Bandicoot on a daily basis around the world than this.

@onesiphorus: There are so many reasons but having been a PC gamer for a long time, there is another reality that many people won't talk about and that is: games just don't run as smoothly on PC, all of the time.

What this means is that if you have anything less than the best available hardware for that 6 month period, the latest games will have to be tuned down in the settings to move away from clipping, freezing, crashing etc etc etc. In consoles, that is far less likely. Yes we've moved in to the age of console patches and instability but it's still far more reliable than playing every game smoothly on the PC.

I'll give an example. I recently downloaded Bioshock 2 on my PC, which is powerful enough to run The Witcher 3 at their best settings but Bioshock 2 off of steam has a habit of crashing multiple times through a playthrough. A quick scan across the internet and you find a lot of people with the same issues. More recently, there was the famous case of Batman. Then we had the BF1 beta, while playing on PC I had all sorts of sound problems and none of the occurred on my PS4, although graphical glitches were present in both.

So to sum it up, yes a PC can deliver the highest possible graphical performance but no matter you rig, there will always be stability issues, crashes and other such issues. For me, a gamer without any hardcore alliances to uphold, I would then rather go for the better, more stable console variant. As would many other gamers it seems, even though PC gaming, in terms of buying the actual game, is far cheaper.

Ah, you mean the individual mode. Yeah, both are ok but I'm not a fan of that. I prefer guiding a team through the various tournaments. Agreed with your last point entirely.

I'll check them out later. Thanks!

So it's that time again and the most enduring battle in all gaming is back. I've had a lot of time with both these games and thought I'd make a number of comparisons. Right off the bat, I'm going to say that I would NOT RECOMMEND buying either if you have the last entry for PES or any of the last 4 entries of FIFA.

However, if there is someone on the fence with regards to buying one of these, then hopefully this helps you make up your mind.

Game Engine - Tie

Facial likeness - In all honesty, FIFA wins this one hands down. A football game has finally hit the heights of Fight Night Champions and/or the recent MLB update. Skin, hair, kits, textures, everything is as good as it's ever been. It's all helped along by beautiful lighting which really gives the players and referees an added sense of realism. PES is by no means bad but it just looks a bit flat, the players looking more like mannequins than ever before.

Animation - This battle isn't so one-sided but it goes to PES. FIFA has a weird, jerky movement to it's players, who almost seem to bounce across the pitch. PES 17 isn't as smooth or realistic in movement as last year's edition (why is that???) but it's better than EAs offering. Turns look smother and play out faster while tackles have a bit more physicality to them.

Ball Physics - You'd think a game all about kicking balls would have this down to a tee but sadly, both developers are guilty of some genuine weirdness. FIFA 12 had the best, most realistic ball movement I've seen in a football game but with EA slowing down the pace of their gameplay, the ball moves in a stop, start manner. With PES, there's always been a similar issue, especially when you watch the replays and at times, the ball just glides through the air with, completely at odds with reality. A pathetic tie.

Presentation - Winner: FIFA

Ok, so FIFA wins this hands down...like, it's not even a competition. In it's heyday, you could make excuses for PES's lack of team licenses, stadiums, players and just general lack of real world presentation but in recent years, with how far sports games have come, it's no longer an excuse to be like this. In fact, it's plain lazy. Can't afford a license? Fair enough but then, at least put together better player kits rather than the orange and blue that seems to be thrown together (wtf) and every kit having the same damn stripes...again, wtf? How lazy can one team be.

FIFA on the other hand is a juggernaut in this category. Every game looks like it is being presented by Sky, the transfer deadline day is actually fun, commentary is better and (surprise) not so repetitive. PES literally recycled 99% of everything from last year when it comes to the men in the box. The Master League menu has been improved but it's still just as static and just as...stupid? Yeah, that's the right word. It's still a hassle just to see your entire calendar, something so simple should not be so obtuse.

I know I'm shitting all over PES in this section but they deserve it. It's 2016 not 2002.

Gameplay - Pick your poison

So, the most important category of all and it's the toughest one to judge. As with last year, FIFA is better on the defensive front whereas PES is a supreme attacking game with better passing, although that smoothness is nowhere near as good as PES 2016. Much like FIFA, the players seem to be heavier, slower and lesss receptive to quick passing. EAs game has gone full "let's slow everything down to a crawl" but Konami's still maintains a sense of pace. I like that.

Having said that, with PES, it seems like we have time traveled back to 1998-2006 era of FIFA games where you can get your player, at an angel, just at the edge of the box and power a shot into goal. EVERY DAMN TIME. No matter the difficulty. It really is that easy. There were similar complaints about that last year and we were told that it was down to simplistic goal AI. Supposedly that's been improvement, however I haven't seen the improvement. Marketing speech?

With regards to FIFA, it's a more measured approach bordering on being too slow and too...boring. I know, that's a bad word for any game. Players seem to move and receive balls at a snails pace and everything gets clogged up in midfield. Where's the beautiful game? It's like watching an Italian side from the 90s. However, to their credit, you can, with patience, put together intricate moves resulting in much more satisfying goals than PES.

So, I guess it boils down to, what you prefer. Fast, attacking football or a slower, more defensive game that isn't as attractive. I personally pick the former, just.

Bang for your Buck - Winner: FIFA

Now, there's one big addition The Journey and it's a lot of fun. The story is predictable but handled well and the objectives presented throughout each match had a new dynamic to everything and shows EA really did try this year in giving us a different experience. For the addition of The Journey, a brand new mode, I gotta give this section to FIFA. There's just so much more to do in EAs game then on PES.

Online

I know this is a big point for a lot of gamers. I haven't had a chance to play much of either so can't give a genuine opinion just yet. Having said that, from what I've read elsewhere, there doesn't seem to be much of a change on either side. FIFA has the better match making from what I remember.

So there you go folks. Both are subpar sports/football games with better iterations in the past but if you want graphical updates, team updates, play the latest version of the card games and continue online, then you might wana buy one of them. I'd say FIFA edges it just because of the overall package but if you can do without the teams, players, presentation and modes, then you could easily go for PES. Just be warned, you will be annoyed.

Overall Winner - FIFA

thats actually a great idea and not difficult to implement!

I think ME2 did the best job of any game...ever, yes thats right, ever! In terms of depth to characters. U hardly feel emotionally connected to video game characters as I did in that game, especially considering most missions revolved around said characters and gaining their trust etc.

Oh and in terms of sexing, thats all up to you man lol

I never liked the Fifa games from 03-7/8. Pes was not only at its peak, EA were so lazy with the Fifa brand. They really upped their game from 09 and never looked back.

I remember 06 being too easy to attack (a bit lake later PES games) and just ugly.

Agreed!

They should have included that in ME3 considering the stakes in that game.