The next generation of PES gameplay has once again moved into the top spot of the footballing league...
“More goal mouth scrambles than a dodgy dentist”
First off the passing has been improved, but only for good players. It seems that for the less talented players their passing is still frustratingly bad at times of critical scoring opportunities. For the players that are in the top leagues it is huge increase in the positioning of the passes. They have improved artificial intelligence and have a slight bearing on where the other players are. This and the direction you press for the pass combined usually ends up in the perfectly positioned pass. No more is that annoying tendency to pass and the ball ending up at the feet of the opposition. Also the through pass feels more accurate and inline with the player. Overall the battler in midfield has become more of a passing game and less of a hit and hope attitude.
“Now it comes as second nature, you basically can’t score without it”
The game, despite what some reviews have said, has had in my eyes a big redesign. Of course the background classic PES is still there and nothing absolutely game changing has been transformed. The ball physics for example, when shooting it swerves more smoothly and swerves more. You used to franticly push the analogue stick as tough as you can without much success in the way of curve. Now it comes as second nature, you basically can’t score without it. Shooting has also become more interesting. If some used to say it was to “easy” or the defence was to “slow” at stopping your shot, they can’t anymore. Even on the easier difficulties it is easy to not focus and shoot the ball straight at some defenders legs. The difficulty levels have been renamed from just stars to the more FIFA like approach of armature and professional which may make it easier to decide what to play against.
When you are playing as some of the lower down teams you can really feel the effort you have to put in to get the players to do what you want. Realism is the key to PES6 and with different gameplay styles to suit different teams and variation of styles from team to team; boy do they know how to have it realistic. The players feel more real, they react and act to different situations more vividly. A penalty against them and they will be and look angry and argumentative as well as the player that fouled holding their head in shame. If they “commit” a foul and it obviously was a close call between a dive and a foul they would become very angry towards the ref and will wave their hands franticly. The opening scene feels more real as well and the goal celebrations are highly improved.
“When the referee walks up to you, expect a card”
When you are on the defensive there feels a more frantic feel around your team to retrieve the ball, and when you do loosing it again can result it a lot of lack in possession which will result usually either a loss or draw if you’re lucky. You heavily need the possession to win a game now and you also need to be ready to use this possession wisely across the field. But expect there to be much possession in the penalty areas as now there are more goal mouth scrambles than a dodgy dentist.
The referee doesn’t stop the game for “just a warning” as much anymore, so when the referee walks up to you, expect a card, or hope he didn’t see the foul right. He also doesn’t give a foul as much, he will let play go on if he see’s any hope of an advantage and will only stop play if it was a really dangerous tackle or looked a really dangerous tackle, to be realistic the ref still isn’t perfect and this ads to the realism and it is a good thing it is like this.
“There isn’t that annoyance of waiting, staring at a black screen”
The loading times in this version have been sped up vividly. When waiting for the game to start you barely have time to take a bite at one of your sweets before you hear the whistle go. In the game the loading times are sped up also. There isn’t that annoyance of waiting, staring at a black screen whilst it loads for the subs to come on or for the throw in screen to load. This leads to you being able to fit in more games per hour, and that’s always a good thing, more teams to play, more teams to beat, eh.
Probably the biggest improvement in the game that’s the obvious is the commentary. They still do have some of the classics like, “That one is intercepted” but there has been loads taken out and even more added in. Instead of just saying just, “Rooney” they will say, “and Rooney” or, “here’s Rooney”. They will also shout their name as they go for a shot which really improves the atmosphere and tension. They will comment on everything that happens and won’t miss anything out if they can. Every little detail will be talked about and this adds even more realism and TV style feel. The commentary is so good in this one it really does feel like Trevor Brooking is talking about a real live game.
"If FIFA07 is “the season” then PES6 is “the century”"
Overall this is a must buy for anyone that lives football, or just likes it. Taking it to the next step you can really “Express Yourself” and try out new things in every match until you have got to grips with a style of play that suits you, with over 150 individual moves, techniques and tricks at your grasp. PES is boldly at the top of the football games league and will remain there on its unbeaten run for sometime to come. Every year it gets better and better with more sponsors and moves than ever seen in a football game this realistic, its almost as good as real life only your thumbs down ache after player for 90 minutes in real life… you have to get this game and fearlessly show off your talent on the football field. If FIFA07 is “the season” then PES6 is “the century” as its game length is more than just one season… Please remember to give me a positive vote if you agree with this review but clicking on the button just below \|/.