Pro Evolution Soccer 2016

 Xbox One
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 15, 2015
    90
    Finally, the great one is back - it looks cheap, but it plays exceptionally. [Issue#130, p.72]
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  2. Brash Games
    Sep 29, 2015
    90
    There is still room for improvement of course, but while EA continues to chase the tangible recreation of Sky’s Super Sunday coverage, Pro Evo has instead attempted to capture the more elusive essence of the sport itself.
  3. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Sep 16, 2015
    90
    This year’s PES has improved its game in all the right areas of the pitch, resulting in a pulsating, best-in-class football sim – although there’s room for improvement presentation-wise.
  5. GameSpot
    Sep 14, 2015
    90
    All that truly matters is what unfolds in those virtual ninety minutes, either against a friend, an online stranger, or the computer. On that test alone, PES 2016 represents the best game in the series since the PlayStation 2 era.
  6. MondoXbox
    Oct 5, 2015
    87
    PES 2016 proved to be the best and more mature game in the franchise since may years, resulting to be highly enjoyable even by non PES fans. Anyway it still retains some historical problems like too few official licenses and ease of scoring a shoot from the distance.
  7. GameCrate
    Sep 29, 2015
    87
    PES 2016 lives up to the hype and is a wonderful tribute to 20 years of hard work from Konami and PES Productions.
  8. LevelUp
    Sep 18, 2015
    86
    PES 2016 sets the franchise on the right track. However, after so many years, PES Productions is still unable to correct those issues that, historically, have hampered the experience such as the lack of licenses and some hiccups in terms control responsiveness and pass precision.
  9. Xbox Achievements
    Sep 22, 2015
    85
    PES 2016 is undoubtedly a great football game, as good as it’s been in years. Sure, it’s better on the pitch than PES 2015, but it’s let down somewhat by some cavalier keepers who couldn’t catch a cold.
  10. Pelit (Finland)
    Nov 5, 2015
    83
    Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 resembles more real soccer than FIFA 16, but loses on other features, like license. [Oct 2015]
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  11. games(TM)
    Nov 15, 2015
    80
    PES 2016 is inconsistently superb, but it can no longer be ignored. Football fans have a difficult choice to make this year. You can follow the money and glamour of FIFA or embrace the grassroots love of the game in PES 2016. Neither choice seems wrong to us, but neither is perfect yet either. What we do have finally though, after a decade or so of waiting, is a real contest.
  12. ZTGD
    Sep 28, 2015
    80
    While not for everyone, PES 2016 is actually a very well done game. I learned a good amount, but am by no means an expert. I was able to get a good feel for the game and was able handle some matches on the easier difficulty. This is still very much a soccer fan’s game, and while it has the tutorials, the game is not very beginner-friendly. At the same time, what it does, it does very well and looks great while doing it. Any fan of the sport should definitely check it out.
  13. Game Revolution
    Sep 22, 2015
    80
    It is safe to say PES 2016 is one of the best sports releases to the genre in recent years.
  14. Softpedia
    Sep 22, 2015
    80
    Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 is a big step forward for the series and manages to show the complexity and the beauty of football while also emphasizing the hard work that's required from a team looking to put together a string of victories.
  15. Pure Xbox
    Sep 20, 2015
    70
    This means that your time with PES this year will be spent playing for an hour or two and then putting the controller down in frustration. It's to Konami's great credit that it somehow always calls you back to it.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
61
#61 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
45
#45 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 152 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 152
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 152
  3. Negative: 50 out of 152
  1. Rhume91
    Sep 18, 2015
    9
    First of let me start by saying since PES 6 on the Xbox 360, i've always been a Fifa fan & still am a huge fan.

    The above makes it even    First of let me start by saying since PES 6 on the Xbox 360, i've always been a Fifa fan & still am a huge fan.

    The above makes it even more surprising to me how much I enjoy this new release. Konami have made massive improvements across the board.

    Pros:

    Terrific feel - The game is the most lifelike feeling football game i've ever played, the movement and touches feel authentic, when scoring a goal you have to work the ball around, passing/moving players. It is a joy to play.

    Improved Presentation - Not even a hardcore PES fan will disagree, FIFA has by far the better UI however that doesn't mean Konami haven't taken a huge step forward here. The menu's are more streamlined, the small cutscence's in Master League are enjoyable and the small changes to the team's coming down the tunnel etc are very nice.

    Champions League - Very nice presentation i.e. if you have a match in Master League or just Exhibition

    My Club - Again another mode similar to Ultimate Team which isn't as good (No auction house) but has improved over previous editions.

    Cons:

    Goalkeepers - I can't quite put my finger on it but something seems to be out of place with the movement of the keepers (this is what is stopping me giving the game a solid 10). They will make reasonable saves however sometimes they just seems to let the ball roll past them. Hopefully Konami can address this with a patch but even on 'Top Player' I have found myself scoring/conceding goals that just don't look right.

    At the end of the day, gameplay is the most important thing and PES gets it almost perfect. No match feels the same, online/offline matches are totally different but equally enjoyable.

    The game does have 1/2 things letting it down which stops it being a perfect 10 in my opinion but hopefully Konami can iron these out as time goes on.    … Full Review »
  2. asifh
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    Everyone knows that PES completely fell apart in the last generation. It's quite surprising to think that the creator of arguably the bestEveryone knows that PES completely fell apart in the last generation. It's quite surprising to think that the creator of arguably the best football game of the 2000's PES 6 on PS2 could fall so heavily for the next 8-9 years. I was lucky enough to jump ship at just the right time to Fifa 09 and enjoyed many years of superior gameplay whilst the diehard pes fans continued to argue that pes is still king.
    The story is similar to Arsenal FC, brilliant between the years 98-04 but utterly disspointing for the next decade.

    It's important to note that in FIFA 06, EA introduced a new game engine and it took about 2 years for them to get the best out of it and deliver FIFA 08 which was exactly the point at which FIFA became widely regarded as the best football game. The game engine was developed specifically for next-gen consoles in mind and was key to the success of FIFA for the next 7 years

    In 2013 Konami introduced the Fox Engine to PES 2014. Although not a great game, PES 2015 saw a good leap in gameplay and many pes fans once again started to beleive that pes was once again back at the top. Now, exactly 2 years after first introducing PES built with the Fox Engine, Konami seem to have finally nailed it. The gameplay is finally a joy and absolutely fluid, and graphics are no longer previous-gen looking. Unfortunately for FIFA, they are making the same mistakes that PES made between the switch from PS2 to PS3 and that is, to not change much and expect to remain on top. This is clear in the new feature set being promoted by FIFA. Clearly if women's football is the biggest change since FIFA 15 then someone seems to have run out of ideas.

    For those who have not yet made up their mind, I would strongly advise downloading the PES 2016 demo and having around 3 or 4 10 minute games with a friend. Then compare this with the FIFA 16 demo. Unless you are very accustomed to FIFA, i am certain you will find the PES gameplay better.

    I have not spent a penny on PES since PES 2008 but I can gladly say that the king is finally back and I won't be returning to FIFA this year.    … Full Review »
  3. Musicdiscover
    Sep 27, 2015
    10
    This game gets a 5.8 user score??? That's just crazy. Gameplay in this game is pure heavenly. Much and I mean MUCH better then last yearsThis game gets a 5.8 user score??? That's just crazy. Gameplay in this game is pure heavenly. Much and I mean MUCH better then last years version. Every match is different and each player has it's own qualities you can exploit. My Club is getting better, also because of the new leveling system. You can really make your own team now: but yes, you need patience :). Great game and really enjoying the gameplay, but also the graphics are much improved compared to last year. Great responses by all players in the field when talking about emotions. You see emotions in the field with the players, what makes it that you really are into it when playing a match. Can't get enough of playing matches and that seems a very good starting point!… Full Review »
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