Pro Evolution Soccer 2012

This year's PES title won't change anyone's mind about the series. It hasn't gotten any less complex, but it also hasn't lost any of its brilliance. In that sense, its success is all its own.

Tighter, playable and surprisingly deep, only the stilted visuals and ability to explain its intricacies prevent it from becoming the XBW favorite again. [Dec 2011, p.106]

It's been a terrible year for Konami, they had to suffer through incredible hardship during the catastrophic tsunami-events and were under constant critique for the disappointing PES 2011. But instead of despairing they just gave it all all and returned with the most precise, most fluid and most ambitious PES in years. What the game lacks in terms of licenses and presentation it more than makes up for by sheer supremacy on the pitch. Forget last year's letdown, Konami is back in the race, PES 2012 will give FIFA 12 a serious run for its money.

A lot of last year's elements remain but this is ultimately a move away from sim and closer to classic PES on PS2. It's something PES fans will welcome with open arms but FIFA players will have no reason to defect.

A polished evolution of what we saw last year, as if PES 2011 was midway to the goal PES 2012 has achieved. It changes some of the controls, and greatly enhances AI, although it still has its flaws, especially with the goalkeepers. But, above all, PES 2012 is a really engaging and fun football game, with much more variety and charm than previous entries.

It is very motivating to feel the progress while playing PES 2012, but it is also very frustrating that the progress comes so slowly. A very good soccer game, but the trophy goes to FIFA 12 this year.

PES 12 is a great soccer game that shouldn't be compared to FIFA 12. PES 2012 is different and is a lot better than other recent games in the franchise.

From a gameplay standpoint, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012's minor enhancements add up to a reasonable improvement over last year's entry. Refined AI, improved realism both on and off the ball, and a better sense of pacing add to the depth while maintaining the franchise's fun, addictive spirit.

PES 2012 is more than just an update for the forgettable PES 2011. It's a huge step forward for the Konami series. The best Pro Evolution Soccer game this gen.

A solid simulation of the sport, PES 2012 is a good addition to the franchise. With a few tweaks, PES could return next year as one of the best soccer games available. For now, it will have to settle as just being a pretty good one.

It may sound strange but, where FIFA might be the better football game this year, there's an argument for PES being the better videogame. [Nov 2011, p.115]

But for instant pleasure, a deep and meaningful career mode and constant fan-pleasing cosmetics, such as the little camera men turning where the action is, PES 2012 is back on song. Looks like there is room for two top football games this season after all.

But for all of its glaring eccentricities, PES 2012's emphasis on fast-flowing attacking football over stodgy defensive play is still capable of winning us over.

PES 2012 is a step further into the soccer simulation but not so far away from last year. In particular poor animation and goalkeepers AI ruins the entire experience.

As a long-term PES acolyte who has favoured FIFA for the last four seasons, I'm heartened to see Konami's series finally approaching something close to its best form – even if it's not the domineering force it was in its glory days of 2004/5.

PES 2012 plays an extremely entertaining brand of football, largely sweeping away the complaints of the two previous versions in the process. There are problems for sure, but it's nice to know that whichever of the football titans you choose this year, you'll get a decent result.

PES 12 may lack new modes, but substantial improvements to its AI, speed, and controls make it an exciting football game that's a lot of fun to play.

If you're looking for a more entertaining game of attacking football - and you can laugh about it when one of the game's many remaining rough edges fires a moment of absurdity into a finely poised multiplayer game against a fierce rival - then PES 2012 is well worth investigating.

The online options are still a little wonky in that they work, but with the Champions League license, we'd like more depth and options in how fans can compete with each other. Nevertheless, the style and impressive ball-movement physics help PES maintain its impressive fidelity.

Back in good shape last year, PES now confirms that it is a very good football simulation again. Of course, there is still some flaws here, but we will above all retain its increased AI, its improved and fluid gameplay, its new modes... and the challenges of the training mode appear to be a really nice touch.

PES 2012 looks and feels a lot better than it has in a long time, and has certainly closed the gap on FIFA. The only problem now is the often frustrating randomness of the game, which is both a blessing and a curse really, and the fact that the whole experience still seems rather light on alternative options to counter FIFA's glittering presentation. Back of the net – but via a three yard toe poke rather than a twenty yard rocket.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is definitely an upgrade from last year´s version but some of the new features are a mixed bag. For example much waited teammate control is way too complicated to master. AI is a tough opponent but as a teammate it still has some issues especially in defense. [Nov 2011]

A solid update - it's not quite championship standard but heading the right way. [Dec 2011, p.80]

PES 2012 fails to fully persuade, especially if you're looking for a more realistic and simulative play style. The game introduces some welcome features like the on-line fair play system, but fumbles on the ball physics and defense management, with an overly high speed of the actions. Suited for those looking for a more arcade soccer experience.

But as I stated initially, I feel like PES 2012, while still a pretty good soccer game in it's own right, has fallen significantly behind the FIFA series, like a player past his prime who has lost a step... and he knows it.

Genuinely a fun game to play, and includes some nice features like the Active AI and Off the Ball controls. Most importantly, it is a step forward from last year's game, but is still not up to the standard that the FIFA games have set.

PES 2012 offers no remarkable new features, no amazing new teams, no real advancement to the soccer game genre. This is a problem if you're looking for something else, or something better than last year's version, but it's still as fun as PES always has been.

The improvements in AI and excellent online modes are a solid basis to continue re-building PES to its former glory, but the weird physics and newfound lack of weight are a concern. It still feels like PES just isn't 100% sure where it should be going.

That being said, PES should still be top of your shopping list if you're after a game that takes the most exciting elements of the beautiful game and concentrates them into one package.

While the core game is arguably as fun as FIFA's it just lacks the depth to sustain the challenge. The gap has closed. Can PES regroup and build again to really challenge for the top honours next year?

No two matches -- even between the same teams -- ever feel quite the same, and it's that element of surprise that just might, at least offline, make Pro Evolution my go-to soccer game this season.

The simple act of controlling your player is fraught with issues. [Issue#77, p.85]

The frantic and occasional flawed action on the pitch harks back to older PES games. Fifa 12 is the more complete football experience but PES 2012 can still deliver in short hectic doses.

Another disappointing instalment of the once great franchise. Inconsistent level of realism, poor presentation and too few positive innovations.