FIFA 13 vs. PES 2013

Each year, EA and Konami’s respective football titles go head-to-head with another for soccer superiority, with the momentum for each franchise swaying back and forth.

As the release dates for both games near and the competition heats-up, we take a look at what each game is bringing to the table.

New additions

FIFA 13

FIFA’s new additions include an improved player impact engine from FIFA 12, allowing for more realistic collisions. Also on the cards is a new skill system (borrowed from FIFA Street), which lets players pull off more intricate and fluid tricks.

PES 2013

The new features include PES FullControl (PES FC) which allows for greater freedom of movement, dynamic first touches, and full manual shooting and passing, giving players the precision to control the height and strength of every shot or assist to a team-mate.

Visuals

Visuals have always been a comparative factor between the two series.

FIFA 13

FIFA 13 looks to be a gradual step-up from its predecessor, with the new kits and animations of the players being the standout differences.

FIFA’s new and improved Impact Engine should introduce a new visual spark to the one-on-one battles.

PES 2013

PES 2013 is priding itself on authentic visual qualities, as the game is attempting to recreate the characteristics and attributes of players visually and in terms of gameplay with the Player ID feature.

A number of selected players, such as Ronaldo and Neymar, will run, shoot, look and react the way that their real-life counterparts do.

AI on the pitch

While both games have their fancy additions, what matters is how it plays on the pitch.

FIFA 13

While some players have always struggled against the opposition AI, the artificial players on your team have in the past seemed to lack a bit of creativity. A new positioning code improves how players analyse space and select lines to run. AI will scan a larger area of space on the field, as opposed to close proximity around the ball.

PES 2013

A complaint with PES 2012 was that the AI defense always sat too deep and never really manoeuvred their way into the game in order to help you. This time around, Konami says that the AI will have a much higher work rate and actively work to open up opportunities or provide defensive countermeasures.

The inclusion of 360-degree movement on attack also created a need for AI to be upped in order to cater for the new running lines.