Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 PlayStation 3
Metascore
82 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
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  1. PSM3 Magazine UK
    Sep 29, 2012
    91
    Tweaked in all the right places, 2013 is the finest PES of the PS3 generation, delightfully recreating the ebb and flow of the modern game. [Nov 2012, p.102]
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  2. Eurogamer Portugal
    Oct 3, 2012
    90
    PES 2013 gives fans what they want. More control over the ball, more autonomy in the pass and shot, and more power and more characterization in well-known defensive players.
  3. Gamereactor Denmark
    Sep 28, 2012
    90
    Konami's back in the game, and they are fielding all their starters.
  4. Eurogamer
    Sep 18, 2012
    90
    Wake up, everyone! With PES 2013, Konami has finally pulled off the excellent game it's been threatening to release for the last couple of years. On the scale of dramatic football comebacks it's not quite up there with That Night in Barcelona (© Clive Tyldesley) or The Miracle of Istanbul, but it surely comes close.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Sep 17, 2012
    90
    PES 2013 has made huge strides forward in how it plays over last year's game.
  6. Vandal Online
    Sep 16, 2012
    90
    PES is back with the best episode of the HD era. It's still one step behind FIFA when we talk about technical aspects, but it brings back that little 'something' we loved on PS2 that made it special. The new additions to the control system and the detail put into every match to make them different are some of the key elements we feel are worth mentioning. PES 2013 is finally able to fight the supremacy FIFA has this generation.
  7. Play UK
    Oct 2, 2012
    88
    The PES game we've been waiting for since 2007. [Issue#223, p.82]
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  8. Game Informer
    Sep 25, 2012
    88
    In the great football war, Pro Evo may come up short to rival FIFA when it comes to an across-the-board feature set, but I think the gameplay is better in Konami's title. With this iteration Konami is inching the franchise forward by both refining its product while not being afraid to try new things.
  9. 4Players.de
    Sep 21, 2012
    87
    You will need training. You need skills and lightning fast reactions. But in return you'll get magical moments that only Pro Evolution Soccer can deliver – even though the engine and overall presentation need an overhaul.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 9 out of 27
  1. thamightyboro
    1
    Much better teamwork, better online play, best of the PS3 generation.... Then Konami decide to remove the league option stopping you from playing with friends in 1 location unless you want to go back to the days of writing a league table on some paper. For the simple fact they removed a core mechanic behind playing with friends and organised tournaments PES 2013 gets a 1 as it is simply unplayable and has 50 of us involved in North East England PES tournaments and buy our own copies for practice during the week are now having to look at the enemy in FIFA which would still allow us to play in the manner we have been accustomed to. Whoever made that decision at Konami should be sacked and never work in gaming again as they quite simply have zero grasp of the games target market.… Full Review »
  2. DougFlix
    10
    It seems that Konami had finally able to put a title Pro Evolution Soccer franchise on top as the most beloved by most players. If that does not happen with version 2013, which still suffers from distrust of those who "migrated" to FIFA, upcoming releases should heat up this dispute - in which the winner is the gamer. If you missed the news for game modes, technical improvements have created a fun environment and refers to the history of PES, joining new details, but without losing the essence that established the franchise. The retouched graphics, the highlight even higher for Brazil and complete control over their actions in the field ensure three points for Pro Evolution Soccer.… Full Review »
  3. Mark1987
    7
    Finally Konami have something to cheer about, they have made a decent game (although let's be honest it has taken a while). I am a long time fan of the PES series, since the ps1 and ps2 days. I always purchased PES above Fifa due to more depth on the pitch, which overall is what matters in a football game - the gameplay. Between Fifa 09 and Fifa 12, I think Fifa was undoubtedly the better game and I did get some enjoyment from Fifa, without ever being fully satisfied. Fifa is a decent game but it has always been a generic game. There is very little player or team individuality in Fifa. So when I tried both demos this year I decided that Fifa 13 was probably worse than Fifa 12 (I especially dislike the defending system) and that PES 2013 was decent. So ahead I went and purchased the full version of PES 2013 and not bothering with Fifa. Every year I have tried PES but have been disappointed - until this version. Every year some one has said "PES is back" and then when I tried it I questioned who was saying this, was it the same people who enjoyed the game on the ps1 and ps2? However this year, on the pitch PES 2013 is a very good game, no doubt about it. As ever, the game can still be improved. I would say that in terms of the gameplay a few tweaks could be made. Long shots seem slightly too easy (only slightly) and as ever things like animations could still be improved. Perhaps on the harder difficulty settings the CPU should be more aggressive and not let you pass it around as easy. Also, I would prefer refs to be more lenient only in terms of slide tackles. Many times you can do a hard but fair slide tackle where you get the ball and a foul is given. One of my complaints is atmosphere, this could drastically be improved. Konami have designed nice looking stadiums but why are they always empty? Fair enough for friendlies but for league games etc it should be full and the game could create a better atmosphere. I have noticed that in Champions League mode the stadiums are full but this should also be the case in Master League. I have to admit I only really play offline Master League, I don't particularly play football games online much and I have never really enjoyed playing as just one player. I have tried playing online and it is better than it was, but as with all football games it is a totally different game when you go online. I am not too convinced by the online but that is just me, I get more enjoyment from football games playing against the CPU. I enjoy the ML and by the way licenses are never a problem I downloaded an option file to get the Championship teams and it is easy to do. The best thing about the game is on the pitch, it has more depth than Fifa, goals are rewarding and different, you can really tell a players stats out on the pitch. Overall rating for players are a bit deceiving, you should look at the individual ratings themselves. For example with the default players (or duds as I call them) there is a player call Rustwyth who is a striker, his overall rating is poor but he has a good shooting accuracy stat (whatever it is called). You can really see this on the pitch. As with all the duds he is not an amazing player overall, he is quite poor but give him a chance and you can see his finishing is better than other players. The same goes with other stats, you can see these have an effect on the pitch. On Fifa it has always been a generic game, they have tried to introduce individuality but, for example a CPU League 2 team would be able to pass the ball around like Man Utd or another Premiership outfit. It is generic. Fifa will always appeal to the younger generation but if you want a more in depth game on the pitch then go with PES this year. I did find PES unplayable until 2013 version so for me, PES 2013 is a huge step in the right direction. I always knew that when Konami got it right, I would prefer PES again above Fifa. Lets just hope that they can keep making progress with the game now. And next gen they need to get it right from the start. I am quite happy with PES this year and it the first time since PES6 that I have enjoyed the series. Finally PES is back as the number 1 choice for football purists. Fifa will always have some things over PES and vice versa. For example I am a Sheff Utd fan and currently they are in League 1. On Fifa Manager Mode I can play as Sheff Utd and try and get them to the Premier League etc. Whereas PES does not have all the lower league teams either in England or other nations. However, a better game on the pitch is what counts most of all. And Konami have done a good job with PES this year. I have only give 7/10 as there are always things that can be improved. In terms of on the pitch a few things I would suggest - less fouls for clean fair slide tackles, harder long range shooting, a new dink shot or improved chip shot to allow easier little lobs over the keeper when 1 on 1 etc. Overall this years PES is a significant step in the right direction.… Full Review »
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