Video Games Thread

PES2015 won Gamescom Best Sports Game.

Looks tremendous in it's graphics. Players are far superior to FIFA particularly the player ID. Animations are top notch. Gameplay looks pretty decent better as usual than FIFA. However other issues such as online, modes (is there anything comparable to Ultimate Team ?) and certain aspects of the AI are still troubling. FIFA presentation wise as with the PL is superior along with commentary but the gameplay looks exactly like that of 14 and pretty sterile. The goalkeepers have been worse than PES as well for a change despite the supposed new animations. Most of the animations as they have been dissected appear in previous versions.

PES at least has modernized their user interfaces to a newer sleeker look inspired by FIFA.

Unfortunately PC users will only get a PS3 hybrid port rather than the PS4 award winning version showcased at Gamescom .So the advanced lighting and certain textures will be absent along with some animations for those like me in the past have done extensive modding for the whole community. Demo for the PS4/X1 on the 17th September with release across all platforms on the 17th November. The game also now includes the full Copa Sudamericana release.

I normally pan EA Sports but their NHL15 title might persuade me to get a PS4.

[video=youtube;vbskn16gpQE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbskn16gpQE[/video]

Not much gameplay in the trailer though. So fingers crossed it is more than the normal style over substance EA provide.

 

Body models are all wrong not just for Silva in FIFA. Overhead gameplay for NHL15.....the commentary is pretty tired when compared to real life broadcasts. Some of the animations look as if they were there from the last time I played NHL06. But the other graphics and presentation is excellent along with some of the puck physics. Looks tasty. But will it last more than a month or so ?

[video=youtube;9Kklp7UzMiE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kklp7UzMiE[/video]

 

Unofficial trailer from one of the PES France team who I have collaborated with in the past on OF's. He is now off to join Konami as his trailers have always been superior to what the Japanese team have come up with (not that was too difficult):

[video=youtube;BVcLO-rM1x0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVcLO-rM1x0[/video]

Graphics superb. Body models are differing for all players and true to life unlike FIFA which is shambolic. Faces are the best in terms of accuracy. The Fox Engine does a great job with lighting as well and sweat textures (PS4 only apparently). And rain is back along with dynamic pitch wear.

All the issues with passing and shooting appear to have been resolved ie floatiness as well as the response of players. Goalkeepers have been upgraded a great deal from the mess of the last few editions. There is a new intuitive close dribbling control as well.

Best of all having watched several videos from Gamescom player ID for numerous players is spot on in the way (ie Pirlo layoff at 1:00)they run and move and shoot and apparently the biggest teams club wise and nationally will play as they do in real life.

Commentary is an unknown but fingers crossed it is less scripted than before. The user interface has been streamlined to bring it closer to the standards of FIFA.

Serie A, La Liga, Ligue Une, the Brasileirao, Argentine Primera and Eredivisie are fully licensed as are the CL/EL/ Supercup. Only 3 teams from the PL and Bundesliga are available due to EA's deal with both countries. Not a problem for PC players with OF's but more problematic for those on the X1/PS4. The Copa Sudamericana joins the Libertadores in being licensed along with the Asian Champions League.

Issues ? Still the odd issue with player awareness at times. Also player inertia which is an issue in both games. Far too many players want an ultra responsive ping pong game. They tried going down the inertia route in 2014 and were criticized by the arcaders and so this year have gone back to PES6 responsivity. Also a lack of aerial battles which you do get in FIFA and there still remains the issue of using a proper collision system. There is a real effect of mass as opposed to FIFA but it looks rather messy when it happens and unrealistic.

And the first touch seems to be too perfect each time. However given the teams in the demo that might be expected but even the best players are likely to mess up a touch here or there. This needs some tweaking. Personally I play manually and try to play football as opposed to those who often play ping pong always forward football which you find in FIFA and PES.

Other than that it looks to be shaping up tremendously for a return to form. However until we get the actual game judgement will be reserved given the fiasco of last year. However many former critics who did savage 2014 prior to release have been very positive in their judgement of the game which is cause for encouragement.

 

Another trailer from Konami France:

[video=youtube;JkI22f4_P18]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkI22f4_P18[/video]

Just a few other thoughts. The AI appears to have been upgraded substantially. For the last couple of editions they have attacked in a pretty similar fashion irrespective of the team and no matter the level with a substantially smaller percentage of possession. They now look to attack in differing ways and are aggressive and inventive.

They also look to drop off in defence as opposed to the rabid pressing. However still no idea if a proper stamina system has been implemented which is a must to handicap those spammers who constantly abuse it. Still no ability to alter the setpiece.

Referees. They will whistle fouls this time and use the advantage rule. However as with the World Cup they are less likely to blow up than before. Some managers have also been licensed and will apparently be shown in cutscenes. Unlike FIFA there is still no overall continuity but I like the cutscenes in terms of their relation to a television presentation.

Player statistics will now be updated weekly via online updates. However this we have been told will not affect installed OF's which has been a curse with all Konami updates in the past. The statistics team has been expanded worldwide but it might have been better to go into collaboration with Football Manager.

A combo of PES gameplay and graphics, FIFA presentation/commentary and Football Manager modes would be ideal. As yet no information on the Be A Legend mode or indeed Master League which does need a huge overhaul to compete with Ultimate Team.

The real challenge

 

Where did you see them?