FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer over the years
It's coming up to that time of the year when FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer go head to head for the title of best football game. The fans will ultimately decide who comes out on top but let's take a trip down memory lane and see how the two titles have compared to each other on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 over the years.
FIFA 07
The first FIFA released for the Xbox 360 featured a new game engine created just for the system. The move to a next-generation of consoles wasn't made without difficulty; all lower division teams were removed with EA Sports instead focusing on five main European leagues. The game was praised for improved player animations and a focus on passing instead of performing skill moves. The future looked promising.
Pro Evolution Soccer 6
Konami's first foray onto the Xbox 360 was a successful one. High-definition graphics were combined with the fluid, attacking gameplay the series was known for to create a superb football game. The 360 version also featured widescreen gaming for the first time in a PES title.
Verdict: PES 6 takes this one due to solid gameplay.
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FIFA 08
This was the first time the PlayStation 3 had seen a FIFA game. FIFA 08 had the new "Be a Pro" mode where the player took control of a single footballer on the field. Australian and Irish leagues were also playable for the first time. EA introduced a slower playing style to make it feel more like a realistic simulation of football.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Konami's debut on the PS3 was disappointing to say the least. It was riddled with a number of bugs that caused slowdown in both online and offline play. The 360 version faired slightly better but there was still a lack of new game modes and generally poor presentation throughout.
Verdict: FIFA 08 wins by default.
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FIFA 09
Featuring a revamped collision system, FIFA 09 was really stepping up the simulation aspect of the game. 10 vs. 10 online 'Be a Pro' matches were added as well as a new 'Adidas Live Season' mode combining real world player stat updates to your game. FIFA 09 was generally regarded as one of the best FIFA titles in years.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
This is when the series started to look stale. Although it was an improvement on the previous years offering, PES 2009 again failed to excite fans. A couple new game modes and a Champions League license were added but player animations lacked individuality and looked as if they were lifted from the PlayStation 2 version. 'Become a Pro' mode was added but it was just a poor version of FIFA's 'Be a Pro'.
Verdict: FIFA 09 stretches its lead over the competition.
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FIFA 10
FIFA was starting to come into a league of its own. 360-degree player control made your player's runs feel more accurate while realistic AI helped the gameplay feel even more improved. An enhanced Manager Mode focused on player development and transfers. As always EA had snapped up a large number of licenses so FIFA 10 featured 50 stadiums and 31 leagues.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
PES finally started to show a bit of improvement. Gameplay was slowed down and online play was dramatically upgraded with reduced lag. 360-degree player control was implemented and player likenesses for big name stars were superb. Konami also added more licenses but not enough to compete with FIFA.
Verdict: PES 2010 felt improved but overall FIFA 10 was still the superior game.
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FIFA 11
Manager Mode was replaced with Career Mode, allowing you to play through a career as a Manager, Player or even Player Manager. The passing system was improved and there was an emphasis on strength and speed as players fought against each other for the ball. The weather also played a big part with factors such as rain having a noticeable impact on matches.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
A slower and more difficult game, PES 2011 offered improved animations, presentation and gameplay. The passing system was altered so that balls no longer went straight to the feet of a teammate. You had to control the pace and direction of a pass and overall this gave you the feeling of being more in control of what was happening on the pitch. An Online Master League was also added.
Verdict: The closest battle for years and FIFA 11 just edges it.
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FIFA 12
EA added a new tactical defending system where players could stand off attackers and slow them down instead of going in for a tackle, adding a new dimension to matches. Another new feature was the player impact engine, which simulated collisions between two players. This resulted in a range of different animations depending on the size of the players. As usual the game contained the excellent presentation the series was known for.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012
Improved AI and off-the-ball control were added to further freshen up the PES experience. While FIFA was going down the simulation route, PES 2012 was fast-paced and frantic. Games were high scoring and fun to play but many players didn't appreciate the lack of realism.
Verdict: FIFA 12 remains the football fans choice.
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It all started off so well for Pro Evolution on the current-gen consoles but Konami got complacent and there's no doubting the superior football title over the last few years. The battle between FIFA 13 and PES 2013 will probably be the closest for a long time and we can't wait to see the outcome.