PES 2016 News Post

PES 2016 Review (XB1/PS4)

11:09 AM - September 21, 2015 by RaychelSnr

On the surface, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2016 looks a lot like the 2015 version which won various awards (IGN Best Sports Game of 2014 & 2015 Gamescom Best Sports Game) and received an “8.0” from this very site. It’s not until you spend a little bit of time with it that you fully realize the improvements the team over at Konami made to this proud franchise. From the initial kick-off to the final blow of the whistle, there’s a lot in between to satisfy your yearly footy fix.

Read More - PES 2016 Review (XB1/PS4)

Game: PES 2016Reader Score: Vote Now
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# 21 SpritePuck @ 09/21/15 11:38 PM

The review is fair and balanced. An 8 based on the reasons it was given is legit. To some it may be a 7 and to another a 9... My point being we are going to see the strengths and weaknesses of this game differently.

I am having fun with it... If fouls get patched it is a solid 8-9 for me.

People always mention the licensing. How on earth did anyone get this game and not already know what was and was not licensed?

I refuse to jump on the PES v FIFA thing but will say both have good animations this year. They are different games both doing what they do very well. Amazing year to be a football fan. Both games are better than they have ever been!

Great review OP! It will help people without the game make a good well informed decision before purchasing.

# 22 dema @ 09/22/15 01:06 AM

It's the defence that really annoys me, it sounds the same as the demo where i could rely on dribbling to win against a superstar ai, this kinda encourages me to not play the game properly, if they fix cpu defending i would think this is a great game, but until then it's pretty flawed.

# 23 dubcity @ 09/22/15 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dema


	It's the defence that really annoys me, it sounds the same as the demo where i could rely on dribbling to win against a superstar ai, this kinda encourages me to not play the game properly, if they fix cpu defending i would think this is a great game, but until then it's pretty flawed.

Yeah, it's crazy that the defending is just as bad in that way on Superstar. Just played a match where I literally ran from the midway line all the way to goal like I was Maradona in his prime. When they actually close down they are competent, but the defensive shape is compete shambles when you go on solo runs into open space like that.

# 24 ShaiLeGran @ 09/22/15 02:51 AM

The way I feel about this, is I love PES 2016, as a mather of fact I think graphic wise it is leaps and bounds above FIFA 16 (which to me when I played the DEMO, the graphics really took to take a major step backwards compared to the same FIFA 16 game I localized for EA in Madrid). The licences can be taken care of on PS4 for PES, but what bothers me about the game is the obvious:

- really really poor foul system
- and thus a lack of free kicks which is so important in a soccer game
- outdated in-game menus
- no stats about players in the game
- AI never misses a pass
- no sliders
- no license for the Europa League. Well they do, but they forgot to implement the official layout for in-game ticker and lineups
- less stadiums then the PS2-era

Konami wants to make a great game, but are missing out on some serious soccer related things. I feel it is incompetence from the developers. Too focusses on gameplay and missing out on all the other stuff surrounding it. And focussing on gameplay, but do nothing about the fouls, is really troublesome. Last point: they told on Twitter to take feedback from the demo and use the feedback to improve the game, but the main game plays exactly like the demo.

# 25 AnnihilusLivius @ 09/22/15 03:24 AM

Indeed. The game has true potential since those PS2 days but sadly the lack of fouls, the IQ of these god dang Goalkeepers, the lack of Stadiums, not even Nou Camp? C'mon...all these issues are troubling, besides the obvious license that can easily be taken care of for us PS4 users

I really hope Konami can patch this, either way...great review! Nails it right in the head...and it's a great time to be a Football fan for sure, great games comin' out this year. It's unfortunate that people always have to get in arguments because of FIFA or PES, appreciate both of them!

# 26 jrose57 @ 09/22/15 04:23 AM

where is j-league??????

# 27 jvalverde88 @ 09/22/15 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrose57


	where is j-league??????

Why do you keep asking for the J League? Its only available in Asian markets and I'm not even sure if they even have that license anymore.

# 28 logieuk @ 09/22/15 04:46 AM

Been enjoying PES16, I just love how fluid the game goes. Also how different teams and different styles, there are certain teams like AC Milan that I just cant play as, but others suit me great. Also makes it interesting when playing vs AI when they might be possession, counter or pumping long balls.

Konami have tried to help regarding getting correct names, shirts etc in the game. I hear there hands were tired with sharing files as the files are linked to your psn, something along those lines.

I'm not sure what can be done licensing for PES series, its either stump up tons of cash or make it easy to edit. If Fifa and PES had the same leagues and teams, EA know what would happen

PES 16 feels a patch or two away from being perfect gameplay

# 29 SVCbearcat10 @ 09/22/15 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaiLeGran


	The way I feel about this, is I love PES 2016, as a mather of fact I think graphic wise it is leaps and bounds above FIFA 16 (which to me when I played the DEMO, the graphics really took to take a major step backwards compared to the same FIFA 16 game I localized for EA in Madrid). The licences can be taken care of on PS4 for PES, but what bothers me about the game is the obvious: - really really poor foul system - and thus a lack of free kicks which is so important in a soccer game - outdated in-game menus - no stats about players in the game - AI never misses a pass - no sliders - no license for the Europa League. Well they do, but they forgot to implement the official layout for in-game ticker and lineups - less stadiums then the PS2-era Konami wants to make a great game, but are missing out on some serious soccer related things. I feel it is incompetence from the developers. Too focusses on gameplay and missing out on all the other stuff surrounding it. And focussing on gameplay, but do nothing about the fouls, is really troublesome. Last point: they told on Twitter to take feedback from the demo and use the feedback to improve the game, but the main game plays exactly like the demo.

I agree with a lot of this. For those who've played PES, it seems to hold a special place in people's hearts and memories. I am surprised it reviewed so well for all the reasons you stated above. Even though, overall, I feel FIFA has much better graphics. Scanned faces in FIFA aren't as good as PES but at least everyone doesn't have the same looking body.

PES just feels like an unfinished product in so many ways. I remember NHL getting torn apart despite great gameplay because barebones modes and menus, yet it is overlooked in PES. Playing PES, I rarely feel truly immersed because of the graphics and lack of presentation.

I'm not saying PES is a bad game by any stretch of the imagination. It plays a solid game of soccer. I'm just comparing it to the other soccer game on the market, and sports games in general. They just seem to get a pass in areas where other sports games don't. I'll probably wait for it to go on discount to pick it up.

# 30 RonMexico1992 @ 09/22/15 12:09 PM

People act like on FIFA you can't dribble down the wing on Legendary difficulty, cut in on your strong foot and, pace past defenders into the box and knock in the ball with a power shot far corner consistently when ever you need a goal against the A.I.. Can you not? Guess it was only me.

I don't get the double standard.

ANY sports game has elements of exploits, especially when playing against the CPU and if you continuously choose to be a cheeser thats on you.

but I get it, FIFA is better. Love them Dannish & Belgian league licenses & Amazingly beautiful menu. Career mode is spot on with the ability to sign 10 quality youth products a year with that amazing Youth System. Gotta love them sliders to turn an arcade game into a sim and even then, every team plays the same & CPU players are toothless afraid to shoot. Fav part is when two players bump into each other and they fall down all mangled together, great physics. Oh & Theo Walcott is god like in fifa online universe, spot on. No flaws. 10/10. Would buy two copies.

# 31 1StUnA @ 09/22/15 02:25 PM

I love the presentation of FIFA and I love the gameplay of PES. I will admit both games have their flaws. I just think especiallycompared to a series like the SHOW we should demand more as fans from both FIFA and PES.

# 32 ChaseB @ 09/22/15 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonMexico1992


	People act like on FIFA you can't dribble down the wing on Legendary difficulty, cut in on your strong foot and, pace past defenders into the box and knock in the ball with a power shot far corner consistently when ever you need a goal against the A.I.. Can you not? Guess it was only me. I don't get the double standard. ANY sports game has elements of exploits, especially when playing against the CPU and if you continuously choose to be a cheeser thats on you. but I get it, FIFA is better. Love them Dannish & Belgian league licenses & Amazingly beautiful menu. Career mode is spot on with the ability to sign 10 quality youth products a year with that amazing Youth System. Gotta love them sliders to turn an arcade game into a sim and even then, every team plays the same & CPU players are toothless afraid to shoot. Fav part is when two players bump into each other and they fall down all mangled together, great physics. Oh & Theo Walcott is god like in fifa online universe, spot on. No flaws. 10/10. Would buy two copies.

Thanks Ron, my sarcasm detector exploded next to me, and now I'm covered in wires and have burns all over my face.

# 33 dema @ 09/23/15 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubcity


	Yeah, it's crazy that the defending is just as bad in that way on Superstar. Just played a match where I literally ran from the midway line all the way to goal like I was Maradona in his prime. When they actually close down they are competent, but the defensive shape is compete shambles when you go on solo runs into open space like that.

Just tried to score a goal with Buffon in the demo and was successful on superstar difficulty quite a few times against Bayern and Roma. I can't buy this. They keep talking about player individuality in reviews etc, which at first looks great because of the playing styles which work really well. The problem is that some attributes have little to no meaning, such as ball control and passing because the cpu defense is so bad. If i can run the field with Buffon, what's the point of having a good dribbler, if i can pass through bayern with corinthians why try to upgrade my team at all. Pes has really awesome game mechanics and controls really well, but the cpu ai lets the whole experience down.

# 34 RoyceDa59 @ 09/23/15 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dema


	Just tried to score a goal with Buffon in the demo and was successful on superstar difficulty quite a few times against Bayern and Roma. I can't buy this. They keep talking about player individuality in reviews etc, which at first looks great because of the playing styles which work really well. The problem is that some attributes have little to no meaning, such as ball control and passing because the cpu defense is so bad. If i can run the field with Buffon, what's the point of having a good dribbler, if i can pass through bayern with corinthians why try to upgrade my team at all. Pes has really awesome game mechanics and controls really well, but the cpu ai lets the whole experience down.

Bad thing about the stats is the guy the does them seems like he just copies FIFA's stats; it is so lazy it just lets me know that some of the team members don't even know what every stat contributes to.

# 35 dema @ 09/23/15 06:32 AM

This is a video of someone else scoring with Neuer on superstar difficulty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnMlwzqJ-xs

# 36 DBMcGee3 @ 09/23/15 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfp


	I don't see how a football game can receive a "great" review when it: * lacks any satisfaction scoring goals unless playing with manual settings; * has serious referee/foul issues; * has some major issues with defensive AI; * every goal is spectacular that it becomes repetitive; * one-touch passing is ridiculously easy; * R2 shooting is really, really OP; * legacy issues with animations, automation, and player awareness; * still very limited library of animations compared to other AAA sports titles. And that's just gameplay. What about: * horrible commentary; * lack of licenses; * lack of stadiums; * lack of proper rosters; * lack of updates stats for many players; * horrible menu system; * technical issues with online play. PES 2016 might be the best PES ever, but that's not saying much considering what this franchise has done over the past decade, and the only way you can consider this game deserving of an 8 is if you grade PES only against other PES titles and disregard what other games, including other sports titles, are accomplishing with the current technology. Relative to other PES titles, PES 2016 could be considered great; relative to what we should be expecting in 2015, this game ought to barely receive a passing grade.

Well played sir, couldn't have said it better myself. I feel like a lot of people are giving them a pass on things that I've seen other games crucified for.

I've enjoyed playing the game, but in my opinion it's only the best PES ever, not the best footy game ever.

# 37 TheDutchDad @ 09/23/15 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBMcGee3


	Well played sir, couldn't have said it better myself. I feel like a lot of people are giving them a pass on things that I've seen other games crucified for. I've enjoyed playing the game, but in my opinion it's only the best PES ever, not the best footy game ever.

I'm not going to argue whether it's the best or not, but certainly the best PES game we've ever played is always better than the best FIFA we have ever played, therefor PES16 would be the best footy game ever...

# 38 Simaofan-20 @ 09/23/15 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfp


	I don't see how a football game can receive a "great" review when it: * lacks any satisfaction scoring goals unless playing with manual settings; * has serious referee/foul issues; * has some major issues with defensive AI; * every goal is spectacular that it becomes repetitive; * one-touch passing is ridiculously easy; * R2 shooting is really, really OP; * legacy issues with animations, automation, and player awareness; * still very limited library of animations compared to other AAA sports titles. And that's just gameplay. What about: * horrible commentary; * lack of licenses; * lack of stadiums; * lack of proper rosters; * lack of updates stats for many players; * horrible menu system; * technical issues with online play. PES 2016 might be the best PES ever, but that's not saying much considering what this franchise has done over the past decade, and the only way you can consider this game deserving of an 8 is if you grade PES only against other PES titles and disregard what other games, including other sports titles, are accomplishing with the current technology. Relative to other PES titles, PES 2016 could be considered great; relative to what we should be expecting in 2015, this game ought to barely receive a passing grade.

A lot of your gameplay complaints are complaints about FIFA as well. Not that it excuses it but its still an issue there as well. Though, FIFA has a better foul system . Finesse shots in FIFA are just as OP , it isn't anything new in football games.

New commentary this year and it sounds better but of course FIFA has always been better in this regard

Lack of license is due to EA having more money to acquire exclusivity with leagues. That isn't PES or Konami's fault at all and if you didn't know about the lack of license, then thats yoru own fault for not doign any sort of research. Remember, PES had La Liga entirely licenced almost, the next year? EA took all the stadiums away and have barely used them since. PES had 20 La liga stadiums...how many are in FIFA now? 8 maybe? Lack of stadiums goes down to having little money in comparison to FIFA though I do believe they should create stadiums but remember this , they got a law suit threatened for stadium creator if I recall too so basically , its an EA monopoly

Proper rosters I understand being an issue but Konami has a fraction of people at their disposal in comparison to EA. It isn't entirely their fault that they have a lot less people to work on their roster updates and stats . I don't remember how many people were working on the game but I remember it being a very very small team doing it

Menu system is fine , if you can't navigate the menus then I don't know what to tell you. They're pretty straight forward and you even have a main section where you can pin all your main sections to if you want. Kind of like xbox OS

Online has always been a problem for PES and I don't get how they haven't fixed it but the only thing I can say is its probably due to being a small team behind the game. Now that Konami is claiming that PES is their only AAA title going forward, one can only hope that they put more people and money behind PES to fix their issues.

FIFA is a more well rounded cleaned up game in comparison and there's no denying that, but to complain about certain aspects that is essentially out of their control is unfair.

# 39 KG @ 09/23/15 10:52 AM

I agree with A LOT of what you're saying Simao but there are a lot of ways that Konami could get around these issues that they're not pursuing.

College Hoops 2K8 had an online roster share and that was nearly 8 years ago. Surely Konami could implement something that as other games have it (NBA 2K) and it works well. An easy way for people to get up-to-date rosters, kits, created players, etc... would only increase sales as some are turned off by having to put in the time.

Previous PES' used to have Stadium CREATOR, not editor.

Edit mode, while I'm stoked it has returned, is limited by slots when they initially told us it wouldn't be. Just think how cool it would be if there were no limitations on slots except for your internal/external storage. People could and would create retro kits galore. I'd love to use a Samsung or Auto-Glass kit and I'm sure Arsenal fans would be happy to use JVC, Dreamcast, or O2.

Konami isn't some mom & pop shop. They have money, lots of it. They just had 2 games in the Top 5 UK charts last week.

Like you said, maybe with PES being their only AAA title moving forward they will throw more resources into but as of right now there are so many little niggles that set it back. Legacy issues too.

# 40 RoyceDa59 @ 09/23/15 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG


	I agree with A LOT of what you're saying Simao but there are a lot of ways that Konami could get around these issues that they're not pursuing. College Hoops 2K8 had an online roster share and that was nearly 8 years ago. Surely Konami could implement something that as other games have it (NBA 2K) and it works well. An easy way for people to get up-to-date rosters, kits, created players, etc... would only increase sales as some are turned off by having to put in the time. Previous PES' used to have Stadium CREATOR, not editor. Edit mode, while I'm stoked it has returned, is limited by slots when they initially told us it wouldn't be. Just think how cool it would be if there were no limitations on slots except for your internal/external storage. People could and would create retro kits galore. I'd love to use a Samsung or Auto-Glass kit and I'm sure Arsenal fans would be happy to use JVC, Dreamcast, or O2. Konami isn't some mom & pop shop. They have money, lots of it. They just had 2 games in the Top 5 UK charts last week. Like you said, maybe with PES being their only AAA title moving forward they will throw more resources into but as of right now there are so many little niggles that set it back. Legacy issues too.

PES being more accessible in the edit department was one of the reasons why I fell in love with series. If Konami doesn't see how important the lack of sharing option files will hurt them than I don't know what to say. You listed all the solutions to those issues; I would like to see the stadium creator re-introduced with the potential to have custom adboards for all stadiums and a file share server. The possibilities would be amazing, just imagine all of the potential classic rosters that would be available.

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