Every year, Konami attempts to dethrone its competitor, FIFA, and Western fans tend to always lean towards EA’s offering, but Pro Evolution is making a greater push with the 2014 edition, and with the focus on current-gen consoles rather than next-gen, has Konami done the series and its fans justice?
The game is currently sitting on a Metascore of 78 for PS3, 81 on Xbox 360 and the PC edition still awaiting an aggregate. Over on GameRankings, its holding down a 82.71 percentage PS3, 77.50 percentage on Xbox 360, and the PC version also still waiting for a GameRankings percentage.
What are the critics actually saying about the game?
VideoGamer: 9/10
“That intangible PES magic remains and expands with the potential of the new engine; matches take on their own personalities (helped by new player emotions – perform well and your play will visibly improve during the game) and you’ll discuss great goals for years, especially now that shooting and heading are weightier, more natural feeling. Even Master League is better. Streamlined and slicker than last year’s bizarre cut-scene driven noise.”
IGN: 8.4/10
“A step forward for the series on the pitch, and provides a great foundation for it to build on going forward. But it feels like it’s only taken one step forward rather than a huge leap.”
Eurogamer: 9/10
“In many ways it’s the same message as last year, then, despite sea-change in a lot of areas: PES 2014 is a methodical sports game with deep systems that reward practice and experimentation; the sort of game that will appeal to people who read Zonal Marking rather than Sun Sport. It’s never going to beat FIFA for glitz and polish – charms that are no less valid when it comes to how you invest your leisure time – but PES has the potential to become a very deep obsession, where even a 4-0 drubbing has meaning.”
Playstation Official Magazine: 8/10
“When PES 14 truly shines, though, it outplays its megaton rival in several key areas. If you’re willing to scrape beneath the surface and accept its technical and licensing shortcomings, then this offers a nuanced, deeply rewarding game of football. If Konami can iron out those issues next season, PES United could yet be champions.”
GameSpot: 6.0
“PES 2014 moves ever closer towards simulation, and in doing so forgets exactly what makes the series so different and so much fun in the first place.”
GamesRadar: 3.5/5
“The moments of fluid football where you feel completely at one with the game are better than FIFA. But all the strides forward in ball control are undone by the game seemingly doing everything it can to take true control away from you, leaving you with the feeling that PES 2014 is more about simulating football than it is about you playing it.”
Digital Spy: 4/5
“The action on the pitch is the best it’s ever been, rivalling and arguably surpassing that of FIFA, and setting up a tasty next-generation battle going forward”
ShopTo: No score
“PES 2014 is sure to test your football skills, as the improved A.I. is smarter, playing to real-life team strengths. One-on-one interactions require patience and attention on intricate ball movements. It’s an impressive step in the right direction and it’s refreshing to see these new ideas in action. Sure, it might not be enough to topple FIFA’s mighty hold, but this year’s installment is sure to please new and old fans of the series and it might even convert back a few current FIFA players.”
OPM: 8/10
“When PES 14 truly shines, though, it outplays its megaton rival in several key areas. If you’re willing to scrape beneath the surface and accept its technical and licensing shortcomings, then this offers a nuanced, deeply rewarding game of football. If Konami can iron out those issues next season, PES United could yet be champions.”
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PES 2014 is not too bad a representation of the sport. It can be rather enjoyable & rewarding if you stick with it since the soccer itself is undoubtedly better than anything that came before it… until you go ONLINE that is! After about 30 or so games plagued with ridiculous LAG you’re gonna run out ‘n get your hands on a copy of FIFA instead. It’s really THAT bad! Well, it’s either that or (like myself) you’ll choose to stick it out & play the best soccer game OFFLINE. (I can and will NOT again subject myself to the “mediocrity” that is the FIFA games.) I only wish Konami could’ve had their “ducks in a row” before rush-releasing this game.