Pro Evolution Soccer 2014

It deserves a wider audience, with Konami clearly having a corking engine on their hands in the Fox. Still, minor issues aside, this is a great way for the series to bow out on the current hardware.

The best PES in years is intricate, addictive, and brilliantly realistic. [Dec 2013, p.60]

PES 2014 really challenges the world of video game soccer games by implementing revised gaming mechanics and some impressive use of physics. It's a shame that the game does not have full licensing rights but if you're a fan of soccer, you really need to check this game out, especially for its local and online gameplay.

Even though some long lasting problems -like the poor AI- are still here, the new edition of PES is one of the best representations of the "beautiful game".

The game isn’t perfect, but it certainly comes recommended. To borrow one of football’s many clichés, PES 2014 is a great base from which the series can kick on to bigger and better things.

The new Fox Engine gives birth to a deep and engrossing soccer game. This is the best PES ever, but it still suffers from the comparison to its arch-rival FIFA in terms of licensing and options.

And while that new foundation presents some huge benefits, particularly in terms of visuals, PES 2014 gets very close but never fully capitalises on that potential.

It sacrifices little of the feel while introducing some new concepts that I hope stick around. While aspects like the bid to introduce emotion to players remains inconclusive and I'd like the developer refine its control scheme, for the first time in a while the future of the franchise is more exciting than its past.

PES 2014 may not be the game that has the biggest advertisers, or the official licensing of the sport, but there is something very special and riveting about it. When other franchises are changing things just to change them, PES is holding onto tradition and, as any “Hooligan” will tell you, tradition matters most.

PES 2014 leaps back into the conversation of where your soccer dollars should go after a few down years. With a bold new control scheme and a solid foundation based around the Fox Engine Konami will be a force going into the next generation.

While it's still not quite at the same standard as FIFA, the Heart mechanic is an inspired addition, and if the franchise continues to follow its current trajectory, it could yet topple EA's giant in the years to come.

PES still isn’t ‘better’ than FIFA, but by the golden boot of Beckham it’s the best one yet. [November 2013, p78]

If you like that in-depth type of football/soccer gameplay, then you're going to find a lot of fun with Pro Evolution Soccer 2014. Just excuse its outer wrapper, which needs some major work.

The debut of the Fox Engine signals exciting things to come for the series, already showing off some unique and realistic physics here. With improved player handling, new collision detection and the best visuals of the series, PES 2014 is simply another great soccer game.

A slight step forward for a franchise that has struggled just behind the competition for almost a full console generation. Better ball and player physics plus improved player graphics for the top tier players brings something extra. Arena atmospheres are also great. Sadly the last PES of a generation is slightly marred by choppy frame rates.

Kojima's Fox Engine makes PES 2014 look pretty, but won't keep FIFA from crowning itself "footie of the year". The main culprits? An unhealthy amount of framedrops and once again a sore lack of licenses.

It's almost tragic, really. Because, awful loading times and some smaller technical quibbles aside, on the field, this PES looks and feels just plain excellent.

The MASS and TrueBall elements make the on-pitch gameplay feel authentic, while Heart makes games much more tense and interesting. It’s the things off the pitch that let down the game, as the commentary needs work, and the framerate issues need to be resolved.

Calling it a simulation doesn't quite feel right, but this captures the look and action of a football match better than anything else I've played.

Off-field issues remain PES 2014's biggest problem, lacking that one killer game mode needed to overtake its main rival. However, the action on the pitch is the best it's ever been, rivalling and arguably surpassing that of FIFA, and setting up a tasty next-generation battle going forward.

The evolution is there, but we really feel like Konami could have used a couple of months to polish the product. Still, we believe this is the way for PES to be back, and we hope next generation versions will be what we expect from such a franchise. But, please, stop changing things compulsively.

The reality of the situation is that if you want a fully featured and licensed affair, there will be those of you that will just go with the new FIFA offering, and that’s fine I guess. But there are those who like a purer experience, and it’s undeniable that Pro Evolution Soccer has that.

The best Pro Evo has been all generation and, for players looking for a more in-depth and grounded game of football, a genuine alternative to FIFA.

When PES 14 truly shines, though, it outplays its megaton rival in several key areas. If you’re willing to scrape beneath the surface and accept its technical and licensing shortcomings, then this offers a nuanced, deeply rewarding game of football. If Konami can iron out those issues next season, PES United could yet be champions.

Producing a game like PES for a new engine brings huge challenges, it would be impossible to have the same level of tuning of the prior version using the previous engine, but it is truly amazing what was accomplished on the first time.

The addition of the FOX engine has been a dangerous but necessary leap of faith. With PES 2014, Konami made the jump, but hasn't landed safely yet. It shows many positive things, such as the renewed gameplay that feels deep and strong, new tactical options that really add something and a human aspect. Unfortunately, it still doesn't feel like a finished product.

On the field we run into a more complex and deeper game, in which it’s all about patience and steel nerves. This is partly because PES 2014 is more a soccer simulator than a game and partly because the game part of it still has many flaws. It’s a promising step for the next generation of PES-games though, that much is obvious.

Finally, Konami sets the route of its soccer saga. With Fox Engine's help, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 absolutely changes the last year's franchise direction, offering an excellent playing basis that allows the product to evolve. However, there are some flaws which are clear and, although understandable, can't simply be brushed aside.

PES 2014 shows that Konami knows exactly what they're aiming for and what to do to catch up with EA's FIFA. FOX Engine doesn't provide exactly what we were expecting from it, but it offers a real good physics engine. No need to say it will probably reach its peak on PS4 and Xbox One. This all new PES is a true football simulation, with some problems and glitches, but also with some good ideas like the Emotion system. These kinds of ideas, added to gameplay features from FIFA, could make the difference in the next ten years.

Unfortunately for Konami, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 doesn’t have the benefit of coming at a highly reduced price tag. Konami is working against a stream of influence and licensing deficiencies, but has failed to work what it does have into a good product. Unless you are dying to play two soccer games, or have the burning desire to customize, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 is best left on the shelves.

I realize this has been a fairly short review (especially by my standards), but frankly there just isn’t that much to say about PES 2014. It feels like a slightly shinier version of last year’s installment.

The foundation is promising, but although PES 2014 is not a bad game, it's still far from the elite of the genre.

The best footie is FIFA 14. PES 2014 is better than last year's version but still has a lot of problems, like framerate issues and the game is constantly loading.

The bases for the future are definitely in place with PES 2014, but there are also many frustrations.

I did not enjoy the new PES. Players are unresponsive, their AI is weak, refereeing is sometimes questionable and the automatic passing system often annoying. Match commentary is simply awful. There is almost nothing new in the modes department and as usual team licenses are a problem. But there is a good new engine at last (along with new physics system) and I see some hope for the series in the future. [12/2013, p.50]

Not quite as well-rounded overall as last year. [Issue#140, p.106]

A fun arcade experience that goes all-in hoping that all you want to do is kick a ball around. No depth, lack of licensed leagues due to exclusivity deals, and slow menus keep this from being a legitimate challenger to FIFA's undisputed throne on console soccer.