Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 review.
Developers PES Productions
Publisher Konami
Platform PS4, Xbox One, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Release Date 13th Nov 2014
Note: During the review period the online portion was not active so this purely focusses on local play. we hope to add more on the online mode once we’ve had a good look.
Every year I say the same thing “I hope this year is different, that this year PES recaptures the magic it once had”. Even after years of slow steady improvements had it back on track, it still lacked that certain “feeling” only PES players understand. A feeling that is so hard to pin point and put into words, but so evident when it is not there.
During the first few matches you play it is noticeable, not immediate, but you get the impression that there is more to come. The more you play the more it reveals, the slick passing, the ball control, the player ID which gives the players their real life nuances all feels like you are playing, not watching a match. A clean smart interface, easy to navigate menus and substantial editing options ensure this suits those who wish to dive straight in and those who want to invest huge chucks of time putting their own touch on it.
Off the ball: Here is where PES shines, off the ball defending is smart and natural. Defenders actively read what you are doing and cover space, check runs, and intercept through balls. You are really forced to think about how you attack when playing against smart defenders. Chances come and go in the blink of an eye, but as good as your defenders are the attackers making runs are just as intelligent. They will continue to make runs in behind defenders, into the channels, dropp deep, anything to try and gain that vital yard. This intelligent off the ball mechanic controls every player on the pitch so they act as individuals in a realistic fashion not in a pre-scripted way.
The FOX engine and Next Gen tech ensure the game looks amazing, players likenesses for the big players is very good but some of the lower level players might not be instantly recognizable. Crowd animations are solid, although fans often look to be all doing the same motion they do look like a crowd and the stadiums are spectacular. …Although not something I should really care about but some of the player’s hairstyles are shockingly bad!
Player ID is not a new feature, previous versions used this to give each player their own individual identity. This not only means players look and run, pass and shot like the real thing but it means players who naturally have incredible skills are the ones that will make the difference just like in real life. This works both ways however and while the better players can change things, the poorer players are likely to cost you dearly by getting caught out of place, missing simple passes and putting easy chances into row Z especially if the crowd is getting on their backs.
Refereeing is pretty good, the ref will allow you to get away with a lot as long as it is not too over the top. He won’t blow for every little tip or trip. Due to this the game flows as it should, there were no daft straight reds because a player tripped over my leg after saving a shot because the engine still just registered a collision.
Live Updates will continue to update the game with transfer and player ratings throughout the season so if a player in real life is playing out of his skin you can expect to see this reflected in game. You can also change things like the length of the grass and the amount of watering it receives to slow the ball down or speed it up to suit your play style.
If you do find the game is a little bit too quick for you there is an option to speed it up or slow it down to be a bit more realistic. There are a host of editing options available in game to update and alter players, teams, stadium etc. You can change player likeness, names, team names, crests and kits as well as limited options to alter stadiums like changing the nets and colours around the pitch.
Master league is for most old school PES players the area they will sink the majority of their time and effort into. As always, you can choose to start with the team’s real player roster or you can start with the default squad of “made up” players. Be warned that starting with the default players involves a long slog to get them to a decent level. I would advise if you are new to the series to play with someone like Barcelona outside of Master League to enjoy everything PES has to offer before you have to endure the donkeys on your new Master League squad. 20 games into a season so far and it is very enjoyable and thoroughly engrossing.
Although the Master league has seen some improvements to transfers it still lacks the depth it should have when you are involved in negotiations and a missed opportunity to really make this their unique selling point.
During the review I thought it was important to see both ends of the spectrum so after a number of 1V1 friendlies locally I played through a full Champions League as Barca and around 20 matches into the first season of the Master League. As this is where I will spend most of my time I wanted to get stuck in and not waste any time working towards promotion, but in reviewing the game using a poor “starter team” is kind of unfair to the experience. Both ends have their charms I love the challenge of a Master League that gives you those punch the air underdog moments, but I still enjoy taking Bayern or Barca for a spin too just to get to use the best players for those spectacular moments.
The game is not without its issue though, a slight stutter is apparent once or twice a match, I also encountered a black screen for about half a second twice. These are very little twitches and are likely to be ironed out in the day one patch, but needed to be mentioned none the less.
Overall: After a good 40 – 50 matches it feels like I have just scrapped the surface of what is on offer, with the prospect of “My Club” and other online modes yet to explore and of course pushing on to glory in the Master League I am looking forward to this season with PES. If the online holds up PES fans are in for a real treat.
SCORE 4.5/5
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