The buzz surrounding Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 was truly unlike anything we had ever experienced in the PES franchise. Major partnerships bringing legendary clubs and players into the fold were announced all summer long and brought massive attention to this year’s offering. Retail stores, including our local Gamestop, were actually talking about PES 2018 and had high hopes for both sales and interest.
The wait is over and…..in our humble opinion, PES 2018 is the finest soccer video game ever made. It easily surpasses previous editions, including an excellent PES 2017. This is an amazing game in every regard.
First, PES 2018 feels like a real soccer game. It has an authenticity that the FIFA series has always lacked, providing footie fans with a beautiful game for the beautiful game.
Second, the marketing folks at Konami completely nailed the release date, getting PES 2018 out two-plus weeks ahead of FIFA 18. It gives gamers and soccer fanatics time to enjoy the PES series without any other options to distract them away from an amazing game.
Third, so many players and teams are now aboard the PES train, including the likes of David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Diego Maradona, Fulham, FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan. Not to mention that PES 2018 is the official video game of the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, and the AFC Champions League. All of this brings instant credibility to a worldwide audience. PES has always offered something different, but now the series is offering something superior to EA Sports and FIFA.
Fourth, the gameplay is some of the finest we have seen in any genre on any platform. The gameplay is silky smooth, providing a natural feel for casual and hardcore players alike. Passing, shooting, and even tackling feels very intuitive. Simply put, the realism shown by PES 2018 is unheard of until now.
Fifth, the graphics are absolutely incredible, world-class in every regard. The stadiums and crowds provide an electric atmosphere in every game, leaving out the artificial vibes created by some games. It also has a lively soundtrack, beautiful replays, and amazing pregame scenes.
Finally, Master League gets a serious face lift, bringing a Football Manager-esque experience to consoles. Master League now has preseason tournaments, improved transfers, and some lifelike pregame and locker room scenes. This is an area where PES 2018 shines, moving light years ahead of the FIFA 18 offerings.
2017 is the year to make the switch from FIFA to Pro Evolution Soccer. Konami has put out a superior product weeks before EA Sports, giving them an edge in every category imaginable. That’s why we have no reservations in saying once again that PES 2018 is the finest soccer video game ever made.
