After choosing to only make a current-gen version of PES 2014, it was clear that Konami wanted to channel all of their next-gen energy into PES 2015. This move was no doubt in response to the terrible mess they got themselves into with their transition from Playstation 2 and Xbox, to Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
Having been the undisputed daddy of football games on the older consoles, PES saw a shocking fall from grace that it never really recovered from, allowing EA Sports' FIFA series to completely take over the market. Clearly Konami didn't want to make the same mistake again, but will this extra year of development give them the push they need to re-kindle the magic from the glory days of PES 4, PES 5, and PES 6?
Only time will tell, but today we can bring you the first images and details of Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 on Xbox One and Playstation 4.
The focus from the press release is on realism, so perhaps an image of Michael Carrick winning a header over Dante wasn't the best choice of photo to use, but Konami are trying to get the atmosphere of the match-day back to it's brilliant best after some dull recent outings.
Control is another area of focus, as the success of the Pro Evo games of the past was built on it's brilliant responsiveness, and the jump to new consoles saw a sudden sluggishness in passing, dribbling, and tackling. The PES team are determined to ensure this doesn't happen again, and are citing three areas of focus to bring total control back to the player.
By looking at 3 key tenets of the modern game, the PES Productions Team has completely reworked the in-game shooting and goal-keeping mechanics
Excitement Of Goals:
A new shooting system allows a variety of unrestricted shooting styles with precise control over the direction and power of all strikes. Countering enhanced attacking options, goal keepers intuitively close angles and are capable of an incredible number of ways to react to any situation, including altering centre of gravity.Final Pass:
Likewise, passing options available to players when delivering a final pass have been expanded, allowing for little knock-ons or searing low passes that use new physics routines to ensure the ball behaves realistically across every situation, providing unique and differing outcomes decided by user actions.1 on 1:
The final key element that has been totally reworked centres around the degree of close control on offer. Positioning is vital, but the ability to dribble into space and beat your marker is now hugely improved and opens up PES 2015 as the definitive on-field experience.
Video game developers have always struggled to get to grips with Wayne Rooney's "unique" image, but it's definitely getting closer to the real deal. Shinji Kagawa on the other hand looks almost perfect, perhaps some Japanese studio bias there?
The other main changes to the gameplay come through Konami's new "FOX engine" which will make it's debut in PES 2015 and a whole host of promises have been made as to it's impact:
FOX Engine Benefits
Next-gen editions of PES 2015 also mark the first full implementation of Kojima Productions’ stunning FOX Engine within the PES franchise. Having debuted last year in an embryonic form, the power of the new wave of consoles has allowed a level of visual acuity and in-game advances that were previously impossible. All graphical features in-game from players, to crowd and stadium now benefit from a single source of real-time lighting naturally bringing the game to vivid next gen life
Behavioural Patterns: PES 2015 now boasts a huge array of players that both look and play like their real-life counterparts. KONAMI has faithfully recreated over 1000 players this year, with bespoke animations and playing styles across its extensive player roster. They run like they should, play the way they do in real life, and react emotionally as they would to fouls, goals or referee decisions – with their frame of mind actually affecting how they play!
Poetry in Motion: The individuality of the players is further enhanced with seamless animations. No sacrifice to animation has been made in the pursuit of fast response, yet the movements flow effortlessly calculated in real-time and dependent on the player’s position in relation to the ball and its speed.
Bring the Noise: PES 2015 mirrors the atmosphere of a top-flight match. The crowd animations have been hugely enhanced, and the ebb and flow of a match is met with context-sensitive crowd effects and movements.
Let There Be Light: Real-time lighting is used across the entire stadium, with the enhanced visuals bathed in the changing light of a changeable day or the stark glare of the floodlights at a night match.
We sincerely hope to see a return to form for Pro Evolution Soccer. FIFA needs some competition and Konami have a special place in our hearts for the joy they brought us back on the PS2, so fingers crossed they get it right this time.
PES 2015 is marked for a Winter 2014 release.
via Konami-Europe.
