PES 2017 Demo: First Thoughts

GAMEPLAY
If the gameplay in PES 2017's demo is replicated in the main game, fans are in for a treat. I was worried when I heard that the gameplay was going to be slower, with less focus on attacking movement and counter-attacking with pace and precision. In reality, the pace of the game is spot on and it replicates a top flight match. Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona felt like a big game, as the team style and player likeness was uncanny. Barcelona pressed as a unit and were unrelenting. Playing against Atletico, they set up in their 4-4-2 and were hard to break down, akin to Diego Simeone's real life tactical approach.

One issue in the previous game was how little the CPU would tackle or foul your players. Already, in the demo, opposition players put far more pressure on the ball, and they give away free kicks with more regularity, but just enough to make it feel realistic and contextual.

GOALKEEPERS
An issue of concern in last year's game was the stark regularity to which goalkeepers were beaten by finesse shots, one-on-ones, and were prone to mistakes was frustrating. Even though it is only the demo, the keeper's look to have improved significantly. Facing Manuel Neuer actually feels as though you're facing a world class goalkeeper, as is should do.
Scoring goals is definitely a harder task, but using a striker's body position and angle to bluff the goalkeeper gives you greater satisfaction when you do slot the ball into the back of the net.

TACTICS
The tactical approach within this game is nothing short of brilliant. I fell out of love with FIFA a few years back when the game started feeling like a re-hash of its predecessors, but the 'evolution' in Pro Evolution Soccer makes every match you play feel special.
There are attacking and defensive tactical approaches that you can select from. Not only can you select these tactical approaches pre-game, but you can switch tactics at the drop of a hat within the match itself.
You can elect to play the 'gegenpress' style - made famous by Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund side, utilise attacking full-backs or aim long passes to a target man, among others.
Defensively, you can opt to play a deeper line, and you can swarm your own box to try and prevent the opposition crossing the ball into your box, although it will allow your opponents to be able to shoot from distance with greater ease. Each style has a upside and a downside to it, but it's how you implement them that will change the game. To see such a level of detail is nothing short of amazing. PES 2017 gets top marks in this sense.

GRAPHICS
The graphics are certainly a step up from last year's instalment. Player faces are so realistic and detailed, especially during a game. The likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Paul Pogba and Mesut Ozil have been magnificently captured. You can see the finer details in their faces, their hairstyles and body shape being replicated with razor sharp precision. The crowd feel more alive with the inclusion of the Nou Camp in the demo, and the whole presentation looks a lot smoother.

The pitch looks vibrant and detailed, with the floodlights of the Nou Camp really bringing the game to life. Crowd participation looks greater, as do the animations when you celebrate scoring a goal. Every slight detail has had a major influence on the game, and you can see the team at Konami have taken great care in developing this masterpiece.

PRESENTATION
Now, while this is just a demo, it is more limited than last year's demo. For instance, you cannot alter team formations or edit the positions of the players on the pitch. That will be available in the main game, just not the demo. You can however play 10 minute games against the hardest difficulty CPUs.
Once again, there is no commentary in the demo, but that isn't a major issue. Commentators Peter Drury and Jim Beglin were in the same booth for commentary, so I'd expect that to be a step up when the main game is released.

VERDICT
Just brilliant. I could not find a fault within the gameplay, even with the stricter referees. Goalkeeper animations are the best I've seen in a Pro Evolution Soccer game, fluid gameplay is the main unique selling point, and tactics are intuitive and they actually affect the course of a game. It may be a bold call but I do believe that PES 2017 will push all the boundaries and become the best football game of all time.