Is it going to be better than FIFA this time?

It’s impossible to say at this stage. In fact, it’s very difficult to say what’s going to happen next with PES. It’s been disappointing for several years in a row now, but there’s always that faint glimmer of hope that it might recapture former glories.

Hope based on what?

Mainly based on the fact that it used to be awesome, but Konami’s also announced some more features and improvements for PES 2011, for what it’s worth.

Like what?

There’s the new power gauge system that allows you to determine the power of every pass, there’s 360-degree control so you’re not just limited to pointing the stick in just eight different directions any more (although we thought that was added last time), a new customisable trick system, 1,000 new animations and, perhaps most excitingly of all, Stadium Edit mode. Yes, Stadium Edit mode.

Doesn’t sound like they’re focussing on the all-important basics…

Well, they might be working on them too, but that kind of stuff doesn’t make for very good press releases, announcements and trailers. “PES 2011 – Now with defenders that stay in position” isn’t very punchy even if, when you think about it, it’s a pretty strong selling point.

Maybe it just wouldn’t be true anyway…

We have to admit that in the gameplay footage featured in the trailer, the apparent effectiveness of various new on-the-ball skills was enhanced greatly by the fact that most of the defenders present made absolutely no effort whatsoever to intervene. But, y’know, we can’t really judge the finished game on those little clips.

Guess not. Does PES 2011 have any features FIFA 11 doesn’t?

Er… it has the official Copa Santander Libertadores licence.

The official what?

It’s basically the South American equivalent of the Champions League. It’s very popular.

But all of the best South American players are at European clubs, so it’s not exactly a major licensing catch, is it?
It might help the game shift a few more copies in Argentina.

Bueno. What else? What’s PES’S answer to FIFA’s Be A Pro mode?

That would be Become A Legend mode, which now has a great deal more depth and detail than before. Instead of just playing the exact same role in every game (stay in position and try not to balls everything up), you’ll get specific instructions that’ll vary depending on what tactics your manager wants to use.

You even get immersive dressing room cut-scenes. Yeah, dressing room cut-scenes and Stadium Edit mode in one game. It’s almost too much.