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PES 2011 Preview Roundup



With dozens of media outlets getting their hands on PES 2011 preview code, there will be plenty of places giving their thoughts on the latest build of PES 2011.

PESFan and Fury posted their playtest report last night.

As usual, this article will be updated when more reports are published.

I'll start the round-up with Eurogamer
“They say the same thing every year. Pro Evolution Soccer is reborn! We've learned our lesson! We're not just slapping more lippy on the last PS2 version! So it's been quite painful to struggle through the last few releases. Last year's PES 2010 felt like a step in the right direction, but it was more tentative than it let on, building new layers of tactical customisation and a slightly improved range of movement onto what was fundamentally still the same creaky old game we loved five years ago.

PES 2011 is genuinely different and it's evident from the first kick-off. The new player models and animations aren't just an impressive iteration on last year's - they're a complete change. Players now move naturally in the majority of instances, and coupled with a greater range of directional movement the game is crisp and realistic.”


You can read the full article here.

PES die hard fans NowGamer
“Scholes isn’t the same kind of player as Essien, and so you’ll have to use them differently. It may sound deliberately difficult, snobbish even, but within a few hours you’ll be completely at home with the new system.

Better yet, it’ll set off that spark of imagination that Master League, much improved here, demands: within a few matches you’ll develop a way of playing which, beautifully, is idiosyncratic, a part of your DNA, and your minds eye will dance with the possibilities with which a new key signing could enhance your team.

As ever, we worry about how it will eventually turn out, but, pleasingly, we haven’t been this excited by PES in years.”

You can see it in full here.

CVG

“For the first half hour, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is probably the most frustrating football game we've ever played.

There's a lot to get your head around here: Konami says that all computer assistance has been removed - implying that lazy button presses won't cut the mustard anymore.

The fact that Konami's latest offering is so difficult to begin with, however, is actually testament to its new direction.

The scary new passing threat is true to an extent, but the reality isn't quite so harsh. You don't have to point the analogue stick down the line exactly to get the ball to the winger in front of you. If your thumb pulls ever-so-slightly to one side you won't find yourself wildly putting imprecise passes out into touch.”


Click here to read the full story.

Videogamer.com

“Every new version of a sports title requires hours and hours of practice before it starts to click, and with PES 2011 it's going to take even longer to work out if Konami has finally upped its game. What's for sure is that things are changing, which, considering the stagnant state PES found itself in, can only be a good thing. At the moment I'm left with the feeling that things are moving in the right direction, even if early impressions indicate we're going to get a considerably tougher experience than what's come before”

Full article here

PESGaming have posted their playtest report

“Well I’ve tried to provide a frank overview of the game as I saw it. Yes there are areas which could do with improvements, but as it stands, bar keepers and referee tweaking, I’d happily take the game as it is. We’ve got a solid foundation for the PES of the future now. I have already been formulating ideas for PES2012 which can surely build on PES2011.

I can honestly say that during play I felt that if the game code I tried was the final code, then I’d happily take it right now. This may still be my emotional inference on how the game felt, but over the course of the five hours I managed to get playing the game, there was a lot to take in, and to savour. I’m sure that another fifteen to twenty hours of solid play testing would uncover more issues and delights too, but that’s not a luxury afforded to myself. I have mentioned to Konami previously that the official testers mustn’t get complacent as they have in previous years, since there is so much riding on this version of the game for many people.

So far, Konami have done a fantastic job, and with a few more tweaks and improvements built in, we will have a stonking game very, very soon. Looking back to the games played, there were times of intense game play, battling and missed chances, as well as a few well taken goals. Fist pumping celebrations and holding my head in disbelief at chances missed or games thrown away were sure signs that the emotions that PES used to draw from us is back again.”


You can see it in full on PESGaming

g4m3

“PES 2011 not just surprised me in a positive way, but has completely blown me away with this gigantic leap forward that the game has made. The game is pure class, runs extremely fluid, is all about real skills and practicing again and is the long awaited PES game that PES fans have been looking for now for many years. It’s still not a perfect game, but the game does so many things so right that this does not matter at all.

Perfection is an Utopia and in the World of Football and Universe of footie games it’s all about emotion, freedom, passion, creativity and competitiveness. PES 2011 will deliver loads of this and then some more. I really can’t wait to play the final version of the game, which will be even better, more polished and complete. The future looks very bright for PES, PES fans and footballgame fanatics.”


You can read the full preview on their website.

insidegame.nl have posted their thoughts on PES 2011 as well

“PES 2011 is compared to its predecessor became less automatically. Where in the 2010 version with Messi and Ronaldo from the middle of a line can run past everyone mercilessly and eventually can produce sounds, one must be much more clicking and finding the open space. The new application system plays an important role. PES has always been a football game which revolves around automatisms which nine times out of ten balls arrive perfectly. In PES 2011 is over. The application system is somewhat less vain, but if you have him, you can make beautiful things participate. If a different player at the right speed aanspeelt, allows him to quickly turn the ball quickly and then continue playing. You play too hard, the ball jumps off his foot and that takes time, so the attack falters. If you play him limp in, then you give the opponent any room to intervene and thus a counter attack to initiate.

And finally, this all lead to that perfect goal. The pots I played, I have some ugly goals, but also beautiful rounded attack with a line in the corner. And with that kind of goals I jump over a hole in the air and I shout it out, and the rest of the editorial angry look on my side. It's a feeling I've had to miss years and finally got back. If it succeeds PES 2011 also has the annoying bugs to get out of the game, then it becomes a big party this fall! ”


The original article can be viewed here.

French gaming site Jeuxvideo

“With Pro Evolution Soccer 2011, Konami is full of good intentions. Partly redesigned, the gameplay has convinced us on many points even if the preview version is a draft of the final game released in October. He then easily forgive the few hiccups that includes cash on the last months of development to correct what is wrong. Based on a slower construction and intuitive game, PES 2011, is more realistic than its predecessors and its system of passes, if it is refined, should considerably change the experience.”


Original article is here.

Another French site, JVN, have posted their thoughts as well

“The surprise is undoubtedly the first reaction that required the player to PES 2011. The game has very little to do with the previous version. Especially because almost all events were reviewed and amended. The ball strikes the contacts (you can see the defenders try to catch the opposing jersey), spectacular waterfalls and well made, all this has been greatly improved. On the other hand, with the new pass system, it takes a few games to get used to managing very manual transmissions. The advantage is that each pass can now be sent to the desired location, whether in the feet or into space, without necessarily resorting to the deep pass. The disadvantage is that a priori simple pass, which would have normally fly, may eventually foolishly touches the feet or opposing.. We must therefore constantly applied, which gives the app a stamp more realistic and simulation than in previous years. ”


The original article is here.

Spanish site meristation have given their thoughts as well. The full preview can be read here.

German website gamereactor have also posted their playtest

“With Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 Konami could finally succeed in a big hit. Not only that can be satisfied with the new, clearly it'sa lifestyle management and fans of the competition - it is the revolution that the series for many years was simply necessary. Finally we are no longer dependent on passes from the arbitrariness of the CPU, but can play the football we want. And finally, we can again annoyed by our own ineptitude, rather than that of footballers.

Playfully will go this year for PES little wrong. There is still a bit of fine tuning with the tackle. The sound Konami must still repair in some places. Only the Setup menu to concern. Hopefully, Konami can here think of anything else. Then the revolution, nothing stands in the way.”


Original article can be seen here.

Update

curdstar has posted up his wonderful impressions of the game over on WENB

“ think what stood out for me most in my time with the game was that this did not feel like a game one year or so in the making but has been vision of Seabass’ and his team for some time, perhaps as far back as 2007 (maybe even beyond) such is the dramatic change apparent in PES2011.

I think the franchise is in very safe hands if this is the case as the quality of the game design and all it’s component parts is very plain to see in PES2011. Roll on October!”

You can read his thoughts in full here

IGN, who I know many people around these parts don't take all that seriously any more, have posted their impressions.

“Pitches are being tended, Rooney's back home in Manchester and sneaking a quick fag around the back of a nightclub and Cesc Fabregas is idly browsing for cheap single tickets to Barcelona on the internet. Yep, the football season is drawing nearer, and while it means that we're mere days away from seeing the Premier Leagues big guns rejoin battle it also brings another opportunity to play this year's console contenders, with Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 stepping up first to the plate.

We've been in turn both excited and cautious about Konami's latest effort, which promises once and for all to bring the series kicking and screaming into this generation of consoles, and another, extended hands-on gives us a new chance to assess how successful this reboot will be.”


It's short, but sweet, and can be read here. Reading the first few paragraphs I thought it was in for another slating, but then the PES magic kicks in!

Spanish Eurogamer have given their thoughts on the game. Google translate makes a mess of the article, but you can read the original here.
Another Spanish site vandal.net have published their preview

“The impressions that we leave this Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 are good, and definitely a great renewal of the series, the highest in many years and far more radical than the previous year, better than born. The key will lie in how much they achieve polishing Konami game in the remaining months of development. There are very promising aspects that depend on a final touch to work properly, whereas others almost definite that we liked a lot, as the system of strategy or the placement of the power bar.

The second question, assuming that Konami refine and polish the game all his mistakes, is whether this new initiative will be sufficient to counter what FIFA 11 has at hand, on the already excellent base last year. The initiative is now in the EA, as well as most of the public, although in some countries, very few, Pro Evolution Soccer is still leading in sales. . There will be some players who, coupled with the dynamics of FIFA, do not give a second chance to Pro, just the opposite happened for years. But those who do not engage FIFA finish, or who still maintain the "faith" in Konami thanks for those long afternoons at the helm for years hooked PlayStation 2, might be reconquered by this new installment of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011. ”


You can read it in full here

Gameblog

“Let's say it bluntly: PES 2011 looks set to restore its credentials to the series of footballing Konami , the few games played at the Learning Center almost always gives rise to a rematch. Do not think this is due to a heightened sense of competition among your editors: reason is eminently due to the pleasure one feels again, playing a PES which has the look. Revised and corrected, the new gameplay of PES brings new sound basis for the series, this episode decorum and providing care (finally) a real depth of play Not brutal or bestial, pes 2011 still gives back in style a serious boost to license. It now hopes to be able to say, in all simplicity in its final version:”


The full preview in French is here.

Another French preview courtesy of gamekult

“Come on, even if a little early stage preview , as far as things are clear: yes, PES is back to business!”


Full Article.

One of the authors of the Piggyback PES guides has published his thoughts on the game on WEarePES. It's very detailed and can be viewed here. Level7 has posted their report on level7. Another PES fan, Caniggia, has posted his report here.

Gameswelt

“Another innovation that falls after a few games in the eye, are the diverse tackles. Each ball is on PES 2011-fought realistic dynamic. The players push each other to push away, of running an opponent or beharken to other ways. This results in a lot of fouls, which is not the typical speech that is used. The preliminary version of the very meticulous referees whistled often bump or milder offenses. This will not necessarily flow to the game, but with the realism. Finally, even in a real game a lot more small fouls penalized as a wild slide tackle.”


The full preview can be read on their website

Gamersglobal have now published their preview. Translation courtesy of YBNB

“The Japanese designers have succeeded with the simple, futuristic menus. Straight away there are a few things to note: though the passing play is initially irritating, players will quickly be rewarded with the most beautiful animation that we have ever seen in an Xbox-360 or PS3 title. Wayne Rooney in taking a shot may almost threaten to fall over and might pull a muscle; such things lead to regular real "wow" moments."

"Based on the preview versions, PES2011 looks clearly more elegant than FIFA 11. Konami has put more effort into the atmosphere this time round - confetti rains down on the players, fan's chants ring round the stands and the fans celebrate - a real stadium mood is created.

"A successful revolution?"

You will already have guessed, we have good and bad news for you. Firstly, the good: with PES2011, Konami has succeeded with the promised revolution. The bedrock is more solid, the game harder to master than PES 2010. Anyone ready to invest lots of time in the game will profit from the new passing system. For example, the feared Spanish short-passing game leads to more goals.

"And now the bad news: the positive innovations really do only apply to the pros, who have either already known the PES series for years or for those who are ready to invest a lot of time in the learning of this simulation. However anyone who has never tried out a football game on a console will be better rewarded this year with FIFA. Moreover, Konami still refuses to talk about the annoying issue of licenses. Will the Bundesliga be in the new PES? We will see."”


You can read the full article here.