Before this review goes any further, let’s get one thing sorted: if you’re expecting a Pro Evolution Soccer 12 (PES) versus FIFA 12 review this is not the place. I state this for the very pragmatic reasons that: a) FIFA 12 hasn’t showed up yet for said comparison to occur, and b) it’s never fair to a publisher to judge a title on anything but its own individual merits. (Thank you TAGS PR guru for a reminder of point B.) That’s not to say, however, that combining said reviews Ken versus Ryu style didn’t cross my mind.

Now back to scheduled PES 2012 review.

You gotta’ hand it to Konami: it’s a gutsy feat to pit David vs. FIFA Goliath year after year, knowing the big bad football giant has an enormous marketing budget behind it, likewise a prized license to all major football leagues and players.

Courage, however, has its merits. PES owns a loyal and vocal fanbase, individuals quick to arguably advocate for what is a truer representation of the sport, a title devoid of many of the gameplay exploits so common to FIFA online matches. Fact versus fiction? Solely depends on the individual. As someone who dabbles in both titles, this really does break down to an overly simplistic matter of personal preference.

PES 2012 features a whole lot of the same from its 11 offering, albeit with a few noticeable twists. This year’s model touts improved graphics, collision mechanics, and artificial intelligence (AI) upgrades aplenty. These additions are very welcome, as PES 11 certainly showed its age in the visual sense, also bloated with far too many slip-throughs past seemingly tight defences.

Don’t expect miracles. While PES 2012 is certainly not lipstick on a pig in any sense of the analogy (close-up and/or replay segments are clearly upgraded), graphics still remain a bit behind the curve for a next generation sport title. Player animations persist as forced and jaggedy, likewise movement flow up and down the pitch. Sadly, PES 2012 feints and fancy dribbles lack visual panache, even when executed picture perfect. Ditto for crowd and stadium models that – while a bit prettier – remain flat and devoid of true atmosphere.

PES 2012’s collision detection upgrade is a bit more noticeable, especially when surrounding players with multiple defenders. It’s now a great deal more difficult – and thankfully so – to break through proper marking, especially in the midfield. This improved AI produces a much welcome, increased emphasis on touch passes and backheels, also smarter counter-attacking versus end-to-end drives.

Combined with better collision nuances, this improved AI shines. While my football knowledge doesn’t extend to naming obscure players in the Bundesliga, I certainly appreciate the beauty of setting up proper offensive strategies and/or defence tactics.

To elaborate, your teammates – while not perfect – are brilliant in spacing and adjustment to player-controlled movements. Cheat a little too far forward sans offsides trap and watch in helpless horror as the computer smartly lobs passes to streaking strikers and/or through balls to open wings. Viva la realism.

On offense, take your time, scope the field, and work slowly and steadily. PES 2012 punishes the impatient attacker, so much so that’s it’s almost sadistic watching computer AI score in bunches against reckless passing strategies so common to FIFA titles.

Teammates cleverly wrap around to create cycling movements, likewise react to overloading the box and/or corner lobs via proper positioning. It’s also lovely to see your computer-controlled buddies covering your backside following ill-timed player pinches by defenders. Guilty as charged, your honor.

Thus, upgrades are alive and present in PES 2012…and much welcome. Still, several unwanted carryovers from PES 11 unfortunately persist. For starters, I despise the damn menus, perhaps the most non-intuitive of its kind in any title, period. Even after matches galore across several iterations of PES, it’s still cumbersome to navigate through these cursed entrees to gameplay, ditto locating pre and mid match adjustment tabs. Better branching of menus to include cross-listing selections, link-backs to other sub-menus are sorely needed. NHL 12, in comparison, has this down to a sweet science. With this being said, I’m guessing the menu problem is a by-product of poor translation from PC to console interface. For example: player tactic menus, where positioning adjustments seem natural for mouse movements…but cumbersome galore via DualShock.

Also – and while prettier – PES still struggles from what appears missing framerates in player movements, also a sluggish feel to overall gameplay experience.  It is however, good to see that the delay between button hit and move execution is shortened a fair bit in PES 2012. (Admittedly a major pet peeve in PES 11.)

Perhaps the most damning carryover in PES 2012 is its most unavoidable: the absence of true teams and players. It’s almost comical to witness masked attempts to hide player identity but clearly distinguishable skill characteristics. Thankfully, custom rosters remain but a download away, also unique chants for leagues and players.

On the audio front, music, crowd noise and commentary are a bit ho-hum…although some default chants truly stand out (i.e. country cheers). Building plays (per above) on offense also produces an intelligent, cool crowd excitement buildup. For those with a proper sound system, treat your ears to these occasionally terrific goodies.

Game modes are near-carbon copies from PES 11, to include creating players, championship runs, and online contests. PES 2012’s online community is logically small at the moment (being a brand new title), but one that should eventually be as robust as previous PES offerings. The first download update is alive and well, but relegated to a few custom cleats for use in player creation mode. (Why PES employs a Peer-to-Peer system for downloads is a bit peculiar, but at least it works.) And  - as always – install the game from its deeply hidden menu option, or suffer the consequences of slow loads aplenty via BluRay.

In sum and in closing, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 remains a wonderfully playable football title, albeit a bit dated audio-visually and not all that different from previous iterations. Still, boosts to AI and collision detection tighten an already solid gameplay engine, one PES fans of yore will no doubt recognize and embrace. For those new to the series, survive the occasionally confusing menus, and enjoy the ride.