When news began leaking out about PES 2016, most fans looked to the usual: gameplay enhancements, tweaks to Master League, and of course, online stability. Become a Legend (BAL) sadly fell by the wayside once again. For a mode that was once the torch-bearer for single player footy career modes, the mode has become stagnant and is in dire need of a makeover.

Disclaimer: Become a Legend is my favorite PES mode. The hours I have pumped into it over the years have been more than almost any other mode/game combined. I vividly remember my first PES 2011 BAL goal as a young French prodigy. The thrill of scoring a goal has always been magical in PES, and in this mode it was magnified even more. With that said, let's take a look at a few ways in which PES' single player career mode could improve.

Player ID

PES is a franchise that prides itself on individuality and player tendencies. While PES offers a larger player appearance database than FIFA, the ability to say, run like Cristiano Ronaldo or Arjen Robben is noticeably absent. Not only how your player moves but the stats given to your created player should be random and pre-determined.

Ability to Play for a Club of Your Choosing

A few iterations ago, the Become a Legend mode used to start off with a training match where you would showcase your skills in front of an empty stadium and presumably, some scouts. Depending on how you performed, you would receive up to three offers from various clubs. Sadly, this has all been stripped away, and in its place is an automatic assignment to a random club in the league of your choosing.

I would like the ability to have my agent invite clubs of my choosing to watch the training match, and then from there I would receive offers following the match. Even if the battle to the starting 11 at a club like Barcelona or Bayern Munich might be tough, knowing you're on the books at one of these prestigious clubs would be an accomplishment in its own right even if it means you have to play in some reserve matches or for a low-tier side.

Training

While you can still assign points to training specific areas like "learning a new position," the training games that can be played offline are curiously omitted from this mode. Unlike FIFA this year which implemented a new in-mode training mini-game, PES still randomly boosts your stats based on the archaic player ratings that still only accrue in implements of 0.50.

Another added feature could be in the area of assistant coaches/physios instructing you on where you need to improve. For example, "you're a wide player and we rely on a lot of crosses into the box. In order to become a first-team regular, you will need to work on your crosses."

Wages/Salary

Like FIFA, wages are virtually meaningless in Become a Legend. There's no place to spend your virtual currency anymore as the ability to purchase better agents is another odd ommission. Sponsorships are also huge in soccer. Most fans would be able to tell you that Ronaldo is a Nike guy while Messi is with Adidas. A battle for your signature and even a signature shoe (Create a shoe in a design center?) would go a long way towards announcing your arrival on the world footy scene.

More Interaction

When playing BAL, I often feel isolated due to of a lack of interaction. Where are the cutscenes with the manager or coaching staff telling you what they need for you in training, or even when you're coming into the match as a sub? Where did the interactions with the teammates go? There used to be a cutscene telling you something akin to "we feel that you have settled in and are becoming an integral part of the team..."

Also gone are the agent interactions. It would be a welcome addition to have your agent check in with you before the transfer window to see how you're feeling, or even see if he should make some inquiries on your behalf.

Goals

Lastly, what's expected of you should be made very clear when you sign with a new club or start a new season with your current team. Most professional players, regardless of sport, meet with coaches prior to the season to set expectations. No decent manager is just going to throw you to the wolves with no instructions at the start of the season.

I'd like to see realistic goals set based on last year's performance as well as your current attributes. Wouldn't it be cool if your manager wanted you to win the Golden Boot since you finished in the top five the previous year? Short-term and long-term goals for your player would give your player something to work towards apart from getting the call-up to the National Team.


Gameplay features aside, what would like you to see added to PES' Become a Legend Mode for PES 2017?