Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 - Review

The standards of Konami's football series last year was absolutely below-par, forcing the developers of Pro Evolution to renovate the entire game and shift to a new game engine. The Fox engine had previously been used in Metal Gear Ground Zeroes and P.T, displaying visuals of the topmost quality. Hence, the news of Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 also running on this magnificent new engine, sure made expectations run high.

Graphics and Animation

Speaking of high quality visuals from the new engine, lets head straight to how the game looks. There are over 1000 real life players that have been recreated in the engine, in terms of not just their resemblance, but even their emotions so that the players in the game will have reactions which are similar to the real life player. The game has spectacular lighting with the real time shadows adding a whole new level of realism, scarcely seen before in the series. Along with the players, the 13 stadiums are also wonderfully detailed, including the spectators who have unique animations and are modelled in 3D. A few drawbacks in terms of visuals are that the pitch on the stadiums is simply a flat grass texture, and at times, some things lend to look slightly look out of place. However, all-in-all the visuals of the game are excellent and is likely to have you quite satisfied.

Pro Evolution games always give high priority to animations and this time Konami brings even greater animation. Apart from players just moving like they should, there is great detailing in terms of player to player collisions. Players fall in a realistic manner with account to speed, direction and movement. Even in terms of the ball, wet weather makes the ball skid and bounce quickly, while stodgy grass slows play down.

Gameplay

Apart from the highly satisfactory graphics, the gameplay is great too. It is designed to suit all types of players, such that both amateurs and professionals can have fun with it. You can choose from five difficulty settings and get the sufficient amount of challenge you want. The highest is the “Super Star” setting where the AI is quite intelligent and plays like real life players. They make quick passes and capitalize on your mistakes in very realistic manners.

The AI works hard to retain your shape and care should be taken not to reveal unnecessary gaps. You should also be careful with each pass and opening your body up to receive the ball remains key to creating space. Manual control is easily applied, although sloppiness with or without will be punished.

Players have impacts relating to their stats, such that the likes of Cristiano will run straight through defences, while Robben will cut inside and finesse it around the keeper. Attempts at goal are not as satisfying as of FIFA 15, but the reaction of the crowd keeps the thrill intact. Goalkeepers are also quite intelligent and decisive. They will catch or punch the ball depending on the nature of the threat and also get their body behind the ball to limit any spillages. There have been improvements in ball control too, especially with penalties, free-kicks and corners. You get full control of the direction and curve to the ball, although a lot will still depends on player statistics. It will be a lot easy to score with player such as Cristiano or Messi.

Game Modes and Online play

Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 has considerably improved load times, and matches start way faster than they previously used to. The game also has a well designed main menu which includes all the modes that are expected from the last few games along with the addition of a new mode called "My Club". Here you can select your team and any changes or transfers that occurs in reality will be emulated to adjust your team and their stats.

There are improvements in the online gameplay too, which now has a "Quick Match" button which allows you to play online matches really fast. There is also a 11v 11 lobby where 22 players can each play as a certain player on the field. You can also get into matches more efficiently with a new home screen on the menu, that puts in front of you the latest and most commonly selected modes.

Drawbacks

Pro Evolution Soccer still does not have a fully licensed roster, although it does have a fully licensed soundtrack with artists such as Calvin Harris, Avicii and Imagine Dragons (just to name a few). The commentary isn't all that impressive either. The game is also rather quite difficult if you are a total newbie as the training modes cannot fully teach you what needs to be known.

Overall, Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 is a vast improvement on the previous instalments. The lack of licences is probably the biggest setback to the game, which is otherwise as good as FIFA. I think FIFA is still a little ahead, but PES 2015 is still a great comeback into the competition. Fans of the series can stay optimistic.