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A very exciting mobile version of a soccer game that delivers some seriously fast action

A very exciting mobile version of a soccer game that delivers some seriously fast action

Vote: (1,030 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: KONAMI

Version: 4.6.2

Works under: Android

Also available for Windows

Vote:

Program license

(1,030 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

KONAMI

4.6.2

Works under:

Also available for

Android

Windows

Pros

  • Characters are officially licensed and highly personalized
  • Decent amount of teams and stadiums to choose from
  • Intuitive controls with a decent amount of depth

Cons

  • Missing some major soccer leagues
  • Character graphics are a little rough around the edges

Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 delivers one of the most authentic sports experiences available as a game. While it's missing some of the key licenses that FIFA can boast, the moment-to-moment gameplay and the overall feel of the presentation makes clear the developers' love for football and their skill at creating button presses and joystick twists that actually feel what it's like to be lined up on the pitch.

That doesn't mean that all of the characters in PES 2019 are at all generic. Konami still has the licensing rights to 15 leagues, and they have official partnerships with around two dozen clubs. They've really made the most of what they have here too. That means authentic stadiums, colors, as well as players. Players from partner clubs have been folded into the game through the use of full facial scans that do a pretty great job of capturing the likenesses of big names.

But that level of authenticity really excels when it's integrated into the gameplay. This happens most notably through the Magic Moments system. Magic Moments. These skills attached to different legendary players are more than just stat boosts. They offer a creative range of buffs and can even add new moves to a player's arsenal. Rather than feel like superpowers, they do a great job of making legendary names play as they do in real life - and it encourages players to think about exactly who they're squaring off against.

This sense of personality is reflected even when the player isn't directly controlling a player. PES assigns unique traits to each player so that they perform differently than one another even when thrown in the same situation. The animations are certainly up to reflect these features. While PES isn't the prettiest soccer game around, it still has a lot of charm - and the detail is finely honed to the level of offering unique shot animations for different players.

The core here isn't a big break from PES fundamentals, but that's a good thing. Controlling the ball, blocking in the offense, or lining up a shot all feel natural - but this is a game that is deeply invested in the technical aspects of the sport, and it's a system that rewards strategy. You can play this like an arcade-style sports game, but you'll really get the most out of the gameplay if you already have a firm grip on soccer fundamentals.

That's generally true of Pro Evolution Soccer as a whole. It's arguably the most genuine soccer game available today, but the devil's in the details. Those details may look unimpressive to a casual player, but they reveal layers of experience that chip away at significantly greater depth. It's a game made for soccer fans by soccer fans, but you can still pick it up and have a good time.

Pros

  • Characters are officially licensed and highly personalized
  • Decent amount of teams and stadiums to choose from
  • Intuitive controls with a decent amount of depth

Cons

  • Missing some major soccer leagues
  • Character graphics are a little rough around the edges