I figured I might as well post my thoughts on the demo. Upod downloading, I was dissapointed to read that the build was indeed a July one - probably due to screening processes that both Microsoft and Sony carry out for around a month before letting anything onto there stores. Barmy.
So, it could be anything from 70%-95% finished, nobody really knows. Not really Konami's fault, they would have had to submit a demo over a month ago for release sometime in September. Still, I've played it to death today, trying to keep an open mind.
I've been playing a lot of the FIFA10 demo on 360, so migrating back to PES with a PS2 style controller was difficult. It took me around an hour to get back in the flow as it were, once I'd got beyond the frustration of trying to flick the trick stick and the ball flying away on the manual pass.
Visuals and Presentation
PES has come on leaps and bounds in this department this year, it really does look stunning. The best thing about that however is the optimization. On my laptop, which is middle of the road, I'm running at 1680x1050, High details, 4xAA forced. It looks jaw droppingly good. The player models are, as you'd expect, imaculate. Watching Torres's hair flapping around as he runs is a joy. The new lighting is mostly good, except for at corners, where the glare can restrict your view of the penalty area. Needs addressing.
The menu's look fine, all very sleek. Loved the fact that there was no loading screen, although FIFA does a better job at keeping you occupied whilst you wait for a match, with the Arena.
Tactics etc.
Very often, people who play PES a lot are very fussy when it comes to tactics. I'm just the same, I need to make sure that everyone is where I want them to be, that my players are making the right moves at the right time. I therefore love the additions to the tactics, with the sliders allowing almost perfect tweaking to formations and attack/defense mindedness. I did the most blatant changes to test the system, bumping up to 100 the option for getting forward - basically meaning that when I had the ball, men were always aiming to get in front of the ball carrier.
My next breakaway from a corner showed the system in action, with Riera streaking up the centre. A quick ball over the top into his path allowed him to eventually round the keeper. I then switched it round, getting everyone behind the ball. Men were reluctant to get forward at all, opting to find space to give support for a pass, playing keep ball. I'd say the tactical changes are some of the most important additions ever in PES. And unlike some, they actually work, and work well.
Animation and 360 movement
Konami's big test was with animation this year. I hesitate to criticise, simply because of the age of the demo. However, you can only talk about what you see. In a nutshell, it's hit and miss. When it works, it looks brilliant. Rounding a defender with a perfectly timed feignt is fabulous. Sadly, it's the collision system which really knocks PES down a few notches. Theres still only 5 or 6 tackle animations, which is grinding me already after a few hours. There's no real system in place to fight for the ball, there's no real fight for the ball in this respect. You can't really bully teams, it's easier to just run into the ball and wait for the lack of a collision system to put it at your feet.
The 360 movement is more noticeable than in FIFA10 PC, yet not as fruitful as in FIFA10 on 360/PS3, simply because the animations aren't up to the task. Whether this has been addressed in the final version, I just dont know, but skipping round men returns to that robotic look everytime. I have enjoyed been able to run at men and beat them by jinking through gaps, but that brings me onto the biggest problem with the demo.
Responsiveness
The game speed has been slowed, and as a result, a problem has arisen in the form of responsiveness of the players. I always felt it needed taming in PES, but they appear to have gone to far. WEND report that the review code has this fixed, which I think would improve the game many times over. At the moment, there's little way of getting off a quick shot, the game simply can't keep up with your input on the controller.
Ball Physics, Shooting, Passing
This is the strong point of the game, and it's such a shame the animation isn't on a par. The ball is perfect in my eyes, reacting realistically to any situation. It feels like a seperate entity, and that's an important thing to have. Shooting is excellent, long range strikes can go like a train, yet the control of R2/RT on shots in the penalty area can bring some great finishes. The game encourages you to pass around with the speed, and it's pretty consistent. However, the responsiveness issue is the main crux of the problems.
Goalkeepers
Sack the team who works on them. Now. They range from superstars to complete tits. One minute they'll be diving full length to stop a ball looking destined for the top corner, the next they'll parry a weak shot straight back to the striker for a tap in. More continuity needed in that area.
The Sum Up
I'd describe PES 2010 thus. It's taken the poise and speed of PES5, the shooting and passing of PES6, and sadly, the stiffness of PES08 and 09. However, did I have fun with it? I did indeed, I enjoyed it greatly. I'm going to wait for release, assess the changes Konami have made.
If it is a July build, it's a very good foundation.
If it isn't, and is basically what is going to be released next month, I'm dissapointed, and suggest that Konami review there strategy towards the series.
However, I remain ever the optimist. I disagree with Madman - I do not think this is anywhere near as bad as PES08, and it's quite a bit better than the often bashed yet rather good PES09.
Pathetic. It's just a shiny PES2009. Konami are still a set of complete lying bastards.
I have to disagree. It may look similar, but it plays so, so differently.
