Republished on Wednesday 26th June 2019: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of July's PlayStation Plus lineup. The original text follows.
Before even releasing to the public, PES 2019: Pro Evolution Soccer is at a severe disadvantage when compared to last year’s iteration. Konami has always struggled when it comes to licensing, but after losing the rights to the Champions League, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup to its main competitor FIFA, its representation of football in the real world appears even more desolate. Attempts have been made to make up for the loss with the acquisition of even more leagues around the world, but does this really matter for an experience that puts gameplay first for the full 90 minutes?
In replacement of a smug Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the Champions League trophy for a sixth time, Konami has acquired the licenses for top-flight leagues such as Scotland’s Ladbrokes Premiership, the Russian Premier League, and Portugal’s Liga NOS. Alongside them, leagues from Argentina, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, and Turkey join the likes of Ligue 1 in having every team fully represented in-game – names, badges, kits, and all.
And if you were to pick a team from one of these nations to start a career in the Master League with, then you’re in for a good time. The atmosphere created in the stands is electric, the pre-match ramble from the tunnel to the centre circle is comprehensive, and the use of real names and shirts is enough to make your aunt do a double take. This is all well and good, but problems start to creep in as soon as you choose to manage a club from one of the bigger leagues.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool from the Premier League are fully licensed, while made-up names replace the other 18 clubs that make up the league. This creates a very strange ambience where you could be listening to the Kop belt out You’ll Never Walk Alone just before kick-off, while the away fans are there to support South Norwood. That’s Crystal Palace by the way. It’s a really bizarre disconnect that only helps to prove how much further ahead EA Sports is in terms of budget. Of course much of this can be resolved in the game’s edit mode, but that can only go so far when trying to replicate a match day experience.
But enough chatter about dealings off the pitch, let’s get on it. The Pro Evolution Soccer series has always been lauded for its gameplay, and the 2019 edition continues this streak. Passing feels exquisite, players animate wonderfully, and the simple act of scoring feels like an achievement when build-up play results in a goal of the season contender. This is all part and parcel of the PES series, and so those who simply need reassurance that the general feel of playing football is back will be satisfied.
In terms of new features and additions, this year’s iteration is a little light, however. A new stamina system dubbed ‘Visible Fatigue’ attempts to simulate the stretches of tiredness a player suffers with throughout a match, with animations that communicate their lack of energy and a weakened performance on the pitch. This can be combated with another new feature that allows you to quickly make substitutes without having to pause the action, very similar to what was implemented in FIFA 18.
One more new feature has been given the tagline Magic Moments. Essentially, this allows more creative players to show off their flair with tricks, wondrous shots, and memorable goals just likely they would in real life. Kylian Mbappé will dart down the wing and deliver a perfect cross, Philippe Coutinho takes on players and gets past them with ease, and Harry Kane just keeps on scoring. It’s something you’re only going to notice if you spend a prolonged amount of time with a player, but when it pays off, the results are worthy of replays.
One area that fails to provide anything new is modes, with the Master League once again setting up shop as the go to mode for offline play, while the Fifa Ultimate Team rip-off myClub returns for those looking to compete online. Some aspects of the competitive mode have been reworked, with a new way to sign players in the form of scouts that can search out potential players to improve your squad, and a commitment to releasing new versions of players based on their real-world performances. All of this is fine, although we can’t help but feel that it’s just a poor man’s version of the FIFA juggernaut when you compare what’s on offer on the other side of the pond.
For those looking to invest in an offline career in the Master League, the trappings of the mode will keep you hooked, but there’s some issues at the seams that hold the experience back. Peter Drury and Jim Beglin are once again in the commentary seats, and in classic fashion, they completely overreact to tame shots at goal, get too excited at the wrong moments, and are a general nuisance when you’re trying to concentrate on your play. Referees are also a little off, allowing bone crunching tackles that would surely result in a yellow card in real life, making free kicks a strange rarity during our time with the game. And while we haven’t yet noticed a 16-year-old Peter Crouch appear in our youth team, transfer fees appear to be wildly off. PES 2019 appears to be stuck in the era before Neymar’s record breaking transfer, because we were able to recruit the likes of Marcelo and Virgil van Dijk for less than £30 million apiece – complete bargains.
Conclusion
Rather than overhauling the experience, PES 2019: Pro Evolution Soccer continues to refine its gameplay loop with intricate features that fans will come to appreciate in the long term. With no major additions in terms of modes or licences, however, this 2019 edition feels a little light in terms of real talking points. What Pro Evolution Soccer is known for returns, but it’s not stocking many new bells or whistles.
Comments 27
That liverpool screenshot is horrible they look like Zombies especially VVD and Salah
Did you like the game? The tone seems like you were put off somewhat.
It doesn't matter much to me, I'll no doubt pick this up at some point as PES is my go to for football no what FIFA does.
This year i might pass. I was a fan of PES since the nineties... But the lack of innovation in the menus is really dissapointing. Maybe at some point with a good sale I might get it. But for now is a no no
I'll get it on PC this year. Konami are finally making good PES ports after years of failed versions. I prefer PC because it's more easily modifiable and I'm sick of Merseyside Blue VS Man Red.
I hate to say it but it seems PES is dying. Yes it is way ahead in terms of gameplay but I can't keep overlooking the lack of any meaningful progression everywhere else. To lose the Champions League etc. is a massive step backwards. Even the menus- which aren't really that important- are still as ugly as ever; surely this is like a morning's job for someone to update them? Get a temp in to do it! And I'm so bored of Master League being exactly the same each year.
I love football games and hold PES in such fond esteem, but- and this pains me no end- FIFA will probably get my money this year.
@Mergatro1d The menus - no matter the complaints Konami ignores and makes them still look like something from the 90s. I think their aim though, is faster load times and a smaller game data file as always.
And losing the UEFA license is just sad. I thoroughly enjoyed PES 2018 though the limit on Option File imports and missing PL, LA LIGA kit fonts etc still makes licencing a big deal but it seems Konami don't think it is. FIFA will keep winning 99.9 % of the market share at this rate.
Some of my best gaming memories are from iss/pes on ps1 and 2. Wish konami would just invest in this. Gameplay was always PES strong point but fifa has closed the gap.
Hopefully some of you guys will know this.
I was able to install the option file but it only works when using single player.
Is this normal?
When I play with coop at home or online I sitl get MAN BLUE .
This has happened in all the previous PES games.
Thanks
I read 5 reviews and this is the one with the lowest score. There's already a file that solve the license problem if you play offline so I'll wait a few weeks to see if they improve the fouls system.
Just get FIFA
@fabisputza00 You need to unblock user generated media in Parental Controls in the PS4 settings
@JohnnyShoulder Thanks!!!
I like the fact you've factored in the lack of atmosphere in non-licensed teams, lack of improvements to ML and the commentary, most sites seem to just base their reviews of for gameplay alone, which is the back bone to the game but there's a whole lot more to it than that.
Didn't actually plan on picking this up so early but with the game being so cheap and me getting an itch for editing I thought I'd pick it up.
I'm loving the demo at the moment. But if I pick this up, it'll be after Christmas when it's cheap.
The commentators are the first thing to get muted when I play Pro Evo, I haven't heard their voices since Pro Evo 4
Is it better than the ps2 pes games, the best football games ever made?
@AFCC
No Thanks!!
Wow, that's the worst review so far. It appears as though you were a FIFA fan before you even set off on reviewing this. I mean, your closing comment is that there are no major additions to licensing. You literally said yourself earlier in the review that they've added 9 new fully licensed leagues!
You've made the usual whingey "but Man Blue and South Norwood" comments as well. I mean, are we STILL going on about that in 2018? Everyone knows PES can't compete with EA to secure those licenses. I can understand you moaning if you were playing on Xbox, but you are writing for a Playstation website. Just install an option file for christs sake. It takes half hour and voila, everything is licensed. I can't believe these things still need pointing out.
You made no mention at all of the improved graphics and lighting which make this the best looking iteration of PES ever. You skimmed over gameplay which is so far ahead of FIFA. What is a football game if it isn't about gameplay?!!
The gameplay is so far and above FIFA in every way. I can't wait to see what score FIFA gets because the gameplay is worse and they too have made no adjustements to game modes as far as I can tell this year. So in theory it should be a 6? Or were EA paying quite a lot/Konami not paying enough this year?
Honestly, Pushsquare has gone down in my estimations a bit after this review. This game is a million miles better even than last years PES 2018 in terms of gameplay, graphics and licenses, and you scored that an 8.
@SakuraHaruka D: PES died after Pes6, change my mind
@AFCC how about you sell FIFA to us?
@Crazybuttocks198 ok so...Fifa has a football, and players kick it to a net!
@AFCC not happening this year I played fifa18 and can say hand on heart that game is scripted with no soul what so ever and it hurt that last year I decided to go fifa this year im going pes I think the game will be better for no UEFA licensing but that is going back to the days where nothing was licensed in PES
@Ypmud Yeah I understand why someone wouldn't like FIFA 18 but honestly I think that it's still superior
I been started playing Fifa Since for
The Lat couple years But Im going back to PES. Fifa Is Good for Online play. but it is so frustrating, reason being Fifa is turning it into Fifa Street its not real football, mind you im season rank2 online which is pretty dang good. Im done they can keep All the License & tricks. I miss My Good Old PES real Football.
Question to PES18 owners or someone that Has 19. can You still Modify the team Name Like Man red, Ect?
Too much Liverpool. 2/10.
Haha.
@G35blaze you can use an 'option file online' to add everything. Kits (real kits) names badges competitions etc.
Really why would I want FIFA? I don't play online, I comes out a month later, so it's already I month out of date if you play FIFA 18. Then there are 'entitled' people who play it. Don't forget it's not really improved on the pitch, where it counts.
Thanks @crazybuttocks198 Im downloading PES19 now 🙌🏼Yeaa buddy
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