If anything the menu system is better than previous efforts and it certainly looks tidier but it remains a good distance off perfect. It’s not difficult to navigate it is just difficult to make sense of because some of the terms sound odd and things aren’t necessarily grouped how you would expect. Both of them still feature an awkward menu system. In terms of stock modes PES 2011 offers up the Master League and Become a Legend options once more. Just be careful you don’t try to get too cute because being over elaborate rarely results in a goal. The trick system is now assigned to the right stick and you can chain tricks together to leave defenders flat and create enough room for a goal scoring chance. On the other hand mazy dribbles from your own half into the opposition box are not impossible. You may find yourself limited to long shots until you can get those passing movements working. It takes players more time to bring the ball under control and even speedy players will struggle to outrun the opposition with the ball at their feet. Another huge change which makes the whole game feel different is that dribbling speed has been drastically reduced. Generally this wears off with a few plays but with PES 2011 you’ll need to develop all new strategies for putting the ball into the back of the net. Interestingly the through ball has been retained but you’ll need to pick the right time to use it or it will be effortlessly mopped up by the opposition defence.Ī new iteration of a football game always has a learning curve and it often proves difficult to score at first. You can fire out fantastic diagonal long balls into space and slot high powered passes through narrow gaps to create those essential goal opportunities. This new system is a real shock at first but once you overcome the initial frustration you’ll soon find the potential exciting. You really need to pick your passes carefully now, assigning the right amount of power and getting the direction right. Combined with a truly unassisted control of the ball you can expect to send several early passes straight into touch. The gameplay has been redesigned and the biggest change is the introduction of a power meter under the player which indicates the strength of passes, shots and even headers.
For a start the speed that has always set the series apart and given it that arcade feel is gone. PES 2011 is virtually unrecognisable when compared to PES 2010. Amid EA boasting of the most successful release yet, with FIFA 2011 soaring to the top of the UK chart, PES 2011 takes to the field. Last year’s releases were written off as a mismatch with the vast majority of critics declaring FIFA the winner and consigning PES to the wilderness. There’s no doubt Konami needed to do something to combat EA’s ascendancy with FIFA.
Within a few minutes of playing Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 it becomes obvious that this is the biggest overhaul the series has had in a long time.