Pro Evolution Soccer 2015

The best in the series since PES 3 way back in 2003. [Christmas 2014, p.82]

If you can look past the superficial failings of PES and accept MyClub as a FUT substitute then you can console yourself with the beautiful game in its finest representation.

The absence of important licenses can be a big drawback for some, but there's no doubt about the great comeback PES has achieved this year, especially in gameplay and AI terms.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 on the PS4 is definitely the best PES game in years, a well designed and surprising football simulation that is better in terms of AI, the feeling of the game and the technical side, than its predecessors. There are some minor flaws but they aren't as important as the fact, that Konami's new game is extremely enjoyable.

PES 2015 is pure fun, direct and rewarding.

It embraces its PS2-era roots while offering almost everything you could want from a modern football simulation.

The pretender has had its time in the sun, its 15 minutes of fame, but the King is back, long live the King! Pro Evolution Soccer is once again the Daddy of virtual football!

FIFA and PES seem to have swapped shirts, with neither catering to the original audience they once set out to attract. Based on this year's offerings, though, it's PES that has the clearer direction of where it's headed. Perhaps most tellingly of all, PES 2015 is more satisfying in defeat than FIFA 15 is in victory.

Modes and presentation still need some work, but Konami has finally delivered with the gameplay. On the pitch, where it matters, PES 2015 has a clear edge over FIFA 15.

PES 2015 doesn’t reinvent the wheel completely, but is a noticeable improvement on its predecessor, with some brilliant new inclusions that make it feel more on a par with other sporting peers.

After several years of seemingly going through the motions, PES 2015 absolutely nails the football side of things whilst making small advances other departments. There is still work to be done for next year, but for now, where it matters most, PES is on the up.

This could be the real reborn of the PES series. The gameplay is extremely funny and fluid and from a technical point of view it’s finally something good to see.

The Germany of football games - intelligent, exciting, controlled, technically impressive and a world champion with a bright future. Every game feels fresh and exciting. [Issue#250, p.62]

Your verdict on the Pro Evo vs FIFA debate this year comes down to one of looks. If you want the gorgeous graphics and the flawless presentation, FIFA is your game -- and it looks like it will be for some time. If you're after the best possible representation of football on a console, Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 is the game for you.

The on-pitch action is arguably the equal of FIFA, but that's far from the only thing that matters. [Jan 2015, p.72]

It’s been a long time coming, but Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 is finally forcing EA to put up a fight again. Game on. [January 2013, p80]

PES is back to glory with this year's edition by delivering the kind of football experience players have craved since the days of PES 6.

PES 2015 could be more intuitive and precise in some regards, but this game as a whole represents a huge improvement over last-gen iterations and more importantly, it returns the series to a competitive standard with a defined concept to look forward to.

This is a great PES with which to kick off the new systems – it retains its heart while staking out vital new directions. It's not the largest of milestones and it has its stumbles, but it already puts the franchise on more firm footing than last generation.

The disparity between Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 and the latest FIFA is obvious. Pro Evolution has better gameplay, while FIFA has the better team licenses. It’s up to the player to decide which aspect is more important. [Jan 2015]

A top notch soccer sim that deserves your attention this holiday.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 is an improvement step in Konami's saga. This football simulator returns as a great competitor of FIFA and is the best PES in the sixth installment.

PES progressed into the elite league after years in the second division and immediately joined the battle for the title. What loses to FIFA 15 in the presentation, it makes up in the core gameplay itself. [Issue#249]

PES is back. It still has a lot to catch up on in self-promotion, licensing, and user-friendliness, but as of the matches themselves, football from Konami is again at the top after many years.

PES 2015: Pro Evolution Soccer is yet another step in the right direction for Konami – even if it’s again let down by its lack of licensing and complicated online options.

I would much rather play soccer in this game than in FIFA 15.

A thinking man's FIFA, but still lacks that variety and depth.

After a few submissive years, Konami has put forth a game that caters to soccer fans with superb flexibility for creative expression, fluid gameplay and astoundingly intelligent AI.

So PES 2015 isn't quite the FIFA killer that many may have hoped, as there are many things that the current iteration of EA's footie series does better. Yet the gap has narrowed significantly with PES 2015, and the hardest part of any sports game -- the gameplay and feel of the sport -- has never been better than with this year's installment.

A rotation option, but not a primary starter.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 brings a mechanically crafted and intelligent game of football to these new consoles that even a lack of official licence or boring commentary cannot take away from its addictive and brilliant gameplay.

FIFA 15 is an excellent game of football and its presentation and modes are peerless. PES 2015, though, is arguably the best pure representation of the sport ever made.

PES 2015 offers strong gameplay and thanks to its precision and tactical gameplay it feels like real soccer. You really have to train and work for your goals, which is awesome. The illogical menus and lack of some licenses are a let-down.

On the pitch PES 2015 delivers a realistic football experience where every aspect of the game feels fluid and thoroughly incorporated. Although the online gameplay is still flawed and the lack of licenses may discourage some players, PES delivers on the pitch and that is what matters the most.

PES 2015 lacks FIFA 15's match day flair, instead letting its football do the talking. With exemplary action on the field and a much meatier online mode to get stuck into, football fans are in for a real treat.

The best PES in many years. It provides a smooth gameplay and a wonderful pace, but licenses, online and modes aren't enough to conquer the crown.

PES is getting better and better, getting closer to what it used to be. It's a good football game, but still there's room for improvement.

As a complete package, Fifa 15 still rules the roost. But where it matters – on the pitch – PES 2015 is far superior.

PES is stronger than it’s ever been, but it still has a way to go.

Even if there is some space for improvement, Konami finally takes a clear route with PES 2015. Swift and entertaining and, on top of that, it retakes it's personality, something that was gone in the last years. For the next entries in the franchise, we ask, once again, for more licenses and to keep working on its basics, because they finally found their place, something that all soccer fans will be thankful for.

PES 2015 is finally the episode we were waiting for : the one which gives hope to the fans. The game is visually uneven and Konami has still work to do on the collisions but it's a real good football game. And THAT is really new.

As we expected, PES 2015 is back in the game. This first edition on PS4 and Xbox One (even if this version is visually a bit disappointing) will please all of those who were missing the unique feeling from the series. Beautiful and incredibly enjoyable when you get to improve your skills and understand how it works.

With its right pace and more classic gameplay experience, PES 2015 tweaks the right things to be a huge leap forward over last year's game.

Most importantly, though, is knowing that PES 2015 is not inferior to FIFA 15. That in itself represents a huge step forward for a series that, for a time, looked as though it had no chance whatsoever of getting back to digital football's elite table.

A significant improvement on the last generation of Pro Evo games, and for the first time in years PES is more entertaining than the new FIFA.

If it gets patched out, then PES 2015 will go from being the best football game of this generation to one of the all-time greats. Until then it'll be agonisingly short.

PES has come a long way compared to previous versions. Gameplay has become faster and more fluid. On the other hand, lack of major team licenses and some obvious animation problems degrade the overall gaming experience.

For the first time in a long while, PES is a better soccer game than FIFA. It is super realistic and offers a new mode that is very promising for the future. Too bad the menu's are so badly designed.

PES 2015 is the best game in the franchise in years, thanks to superb gameplay and the exciting My Club-mode. Despite its good looks, its presentation is worse and the licenses are yet again incomplete.

It might be irritating that there aren't enough licensed teams, but I do think the football purists will prefer the on-the-pitch action of this game.

PES 2015 just lives and breathes Soccer. After years of decent iteration on the series' core tenets, I almost didn't expect something as impressive as this. That being said, it's just a crying shame Konami seemingly insists on confirming every single stereotype one might have had when it comes to the pathologically shaky online aspect.

If you’re looking for a PES game that vastly improves over the previous games, you’re in for serious disappointment.

This PES delivers a stability in the build-up and situative elegance – almost like in the good old PS2 era. But with an unstable online mode even a few days after release as well as a few visual shortcomings this is only one more step back to greatness. It will still take a while to get there.

Konami again delivers a solid football game, however, other than the mechanics of the football itself, the overall experience seems a bit outmoded compared to its main competitor.