Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (PES2012) Xbox360 version

 Part 1

This is the first part of 2, from my review of the latest PES football game.

Gameplay:
• Konami has in this year's version improved the physical engine so you really feel that you play on a football team. Its especially in duels and infights, shooting tackles and other actions that you feel the difference. It feels now as if there is a lot more juice and power on the play.
• They have apparently also got the better of the many dubious off-side orders experienced in the 11th version, and the players is to quicklier regain its footing after tackles, which makes the game much more alive and fluid.
• The new initiative, off the ball control, really makes that you can now play free balls in the holes you see in the game and is probably one of the best approaches Konami has created this year. You almost feel you're right on track. It works really well thought out, but requires a lot of practice and not a knowledge to master in full overnight. But it's great when you get in touch with it, it's great to watch your back come into overlap and then throw a perfect post.
• But this and the fact that the actual gameplay level or severity has gotten a little pinch up, makes that even players who previously found it easy to win, now has regained a good challenge in the game.
 

Tactics:
• In this year's edition tactics really something to say and you can clearly see when changing your teams formation from a defensive 4-5-1 to a more offensive 4-3-3. You can see clearly that it puts more pressure on your opponent.


Penalty:
• Konami has this year changed the penalty system as it's now is even greater to kick and act goalkeeper. In the 11th it was extremely difficult both to kick and be the goalkeeper, but with the new system it seems to be more in the player's own hand, how the settlement takes place, than pure chance. So a penalty decision in a match can now again be great fun.
 

Referee:
• The referees in this year's edition has improved a lot and they are more into the game and have a good line in the way they referee. For example you can see that they give the goalkeeper a red card if he is the last man and are "pulling the emergency brake", and if you haven´t used all your replacement yet, you will immediate go to this menu. Simultaneously with the improvement on the yellow cards, where you previously could easily get some questionable rulings against one, there is now better balanced and much smaller number of cards. Of course it is also a clear advantage for a smooth gameplay.
 

AI:
• The computer's men have improved a great deal, they think and act more real, and adapts to your style of play rather quickly.
 

Graphics:
• About the graphics in PES 2012, Konami has refined some details about the course and in the stands. Additionally there is a clear improvement compared to last year's version, with regard to player animations. I can almost certainly say that there are no better in other football games. They are super vivid and resemble replicas to everyday top players.
 

The soundtrack:
• Sound engine has been upgraded and improved in step with the times. One of the cool thing is that you feel the difference in sound when playing at small versus large stadiums, which provides an extra rush in the big matches.
 

Menus:
• They are super easy to navigate, and the changing background makes a delicious and more vibrant menu.
 

Game Modes:
 

Training & Drills:

• Are super delicious and gives good entertainment. There are 3 levels in each category, so there is something for everyone. There are defensive and offensive drills and free/penalty kicks.
• Master League has also improved on several points, there is now more information available to you.
• Become a Club Boss, is part of the Master League where you can coach a team. Excellent if you don't bother to play the mathes themselves.
 

Online:
• Have not tried it so much, but seems to be clearly improved compared to last year. I'll be back in the second part and write more about this. It is the part of the game that I spend most time on, namely playing fun with friends online, so I am very pleased that we has gotten to the release date.
 

Licensing of teams:
• Konami has this year been licensed in the Spanish league and the Portuguese league. On top of this they has brought some new teams to the series teams Liver cunt, Genk mm.

General:
• Overall, one must say that this game is the best in the series ever, and the changes that Konami has made this year is really clever, this gets PES2012, in my opinion to emerge as the best football game to date.
 

Causes for complaint (There is unfortunately still a few bugs left, that I hope Konami fixes in a patch soon):
• It is as if that in some games you feel that it is impossible to put the ball in and it is also much harder than normal for defensive players to reach/tackle the attacking player, the first reaction is despair and this is soon replaced by anger / irritation .
• There is also the famous "sprint BUG" Where you experience a free-rider or neck after an attacking player at the other end, suddenly seeing your player stop up shortly, just to move again. The result is that you are being tackled or whipped or not reaching the attacking player, unfortunately. The reaction is the same as above, at least in my case ;-)
• In both cases, it´s the relic of earlier versions, but it's my great hope that Konami give it some attention and find a solution to the problems. Because if they succeed, PES will not be challenged as the best Soccergame ever accross all consoles