Pro Evolution Soccer 2018

PES 2018 is almost a carbon copy of the 2017 edition... until the start of the match. Konami has improved the gameplay in every possible way. It's a pity that game modes and options at this point are more than dated.

Whether playing online or off, there’s a huge amount to do here and a huge amount to love about it. Put the effort in and you’re repaid with a genuine sense of satisfaction and a feeling of real accomplishment. Once again, PES has set an incredibly high level of quality for other sports games to try and match.

It's as good as PES has ever been, but with enough tweaks to feel different with the ball at your feet. As always, give yourself time to get used to the new iteration. [Nov 2017, p.83]

Builds on last year's game and impresses again. [Issue#192, p.80]

PES has the best gameplay on the pitch bar none, and it feels like this year's entry has got everything spot on in game, it just falls short when the servers aren't as stable as they could be, and commentary still struggles to inspire.

The new edition of PES does not offer a revolution. But you need to remember that Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 doesn't need one - it's a great sporting game that just got a little better. Ball control improvement and additions in Master League are welcome, but the small number of licenses is not (as usual). But all in all it's still a very good game.

PES 2018 is more refined as its predecessor, delivering a smoother experience for both hardcore and casual soccer fans.

While it doesn’t address some longstanding degradation of ingenuity in certain areas, PES 2018 provides the best pure football found in a videogame, and the additions it has made only amplify that.

At times it seems indistinguishable from last year’s game, but the slower play speed and improved controls work well and make this the best PES yet.

Not only is Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 the best football game in terms of graphics, it is the best I have experienced in terms of gameplay. The level of detail and player likenesses create a game that comes as close to you'll get to the real thing. There are still a few minor issues with presentation, and perhaps a few more changes could have been made to Master League and Become a Legend, but I'm clutching at straws here. The gameplay is near perfection, the AI and goalkeepers are improved, Konami have added further licenses to their product, and the graphics are amazing. Hopefully the servers are ready for online and with just a few minor presentation improvements to be improved on, PES really has set the bar of what a football game should be.

I absolutely enjoy playing PES 2018; its gameplay elevates an aspect that was already strong. This is remarkable in and of itself, but also highlights the work still to be done in important areas such as the Master League. The franchise contains a great foundation, and will have to continue to build on it to remain at the top of the table.

PES 2018 almost reaches perfection in gameplay, but its offer of licenses and game modes is still not enough for an outstanding experience overall.

A great new entry for this legendary soccer series.

PES 2018 improves its excellent gameplay and adds interesting features, but the lack of modes and licenses still is a noticeable problem.

PES continues being brilliant on the pitch and less so off it, but it's a worthy upgrade over last year's entry. [Nov 2017, p.70]

If anything, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is on par with this year’s FIFA 18, and it even surpasses it in some aspects. The game is more than just an evolution over the previous year, it’s more of a revolution for the PES franchise. I can’t recommend it enough, and I urge everyone to give it a try because it’s the kind of title that can provide a lot of fun, even if you are a fan of other similar football sims. And you can’t get better praise than that.

A hymn to the beauty of the round goddess, PES 2018 boasts the finest and most direct gameplay to ever grace a football title alongside a few interesting additions from last year. However, off the pitch things seem to have really fallen behind the competition. It is time for KONAMI to revolutionize things like the menus, modes and licences, in order to give meaning to this otherwise wonderful and exhilarating on-pitch action.

You definitely can’t go wrong buying Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, as it plays as good as ever, but those who bought last year’s game might want to wait until next year’s installment if they’re waiting for that next evolution.

Quotation forthcoming.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is, simply, the most realistic rendition of the beautiful game so far. While the atmosphere is lacking and game modes are in need of some improvement. Konami still desperately need to overhaul the commentary and fix the licensing issues. Fortunately, the on-pitch action more than makes up for any problems you may encounter.

PES 2018 improves the amazing gameplay of last year, but it does include some things we have disliked about the franchise.

The gameplay of PES 2018 is put together amazingly well. Again, this is a game PES-fans will definitely enjoy. We do miss the usual suspects: licenses, modes and commentators.

PES 2018 puts the series on the tracks to redemption with a very good gameplay that will put pressure on FIFA 18 for sure. On the other hand, the official licences are still lacking and the UI is quite dull.

It’s easy to enjoy the advancements in the visual side of PES 2018 and the subtle enhancements in its gameplay.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 makes some steps forward for the series, but not as many as we would have liked.

While it profits from a few small improvements that make the action on the pitch that much more intriguing, the standstill in terms of mode selection and presentation are a concern.

PES 2018 offers a fun and accessible game experience. The handling and the behavior of the players is impeccable, but the game modes and the technical aspects of the game have not varied significantly with respect to the previous entrance of the saga.

Inside the pitch, PES 2018 simply rocks as it is one of the best football experiences ever made. But outside, same old problems with licenses and sound design issues prevent it from becoming a complete football game. If you just want to play football and have fun, PES 2018 is your choice.

PES stays ahead of its competition... if you don't ask for too much.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is the perfect football game on the pitch, but flounders off the pitch. It offers a lot of value to the franchise agnostic but might not be compelling enough to warrant the annual purchase.

All the pieces are there with Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 but it feels as though many fall a little short of their full potential. PES is still a champion on the pitch where it matters most, but the series continues to fight an uphill battle in terms of licensing and feature set.

A lot has gone into changing how the game is played in PES 2018. The more measured approach is wonderful, as is Real Touch+. That's why the parts that need an upgrade stick out more than they have in years.

PES 2018 is like the Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde of videogames: troubled when played offline, very good when played online. There are some setbacks as far as AI and referees are concerned, but that doesn't seem to affect the online community. A game definitely worthy of your attention, especially if you mostly play online.

While the list of off-field changes is more than limited, PES 2018 improves upon the in-match action of last year’s title enough to get by and remain at the top of the footballing table.

While the same issues of bland presentation, a lack of in-game atmosphere, and licensing inconsistencies return once again in PES 2018, if you’re looking for a football game that plays close to perfectly, offering you the control to be precise with every touch of the ball, Konami’s game is comfortably the best option around.

All in all, the line on the graph that is PES’ progression as a series has gone up with Pro Evolution Soccer 2018. A game that might have ran the risk of deterring its loyal fan-base, the improved physicality to player animations and actions only adds another layer to the series’ already layered strategy that feels genuinely entertaining to watch as it is to play, regardless of the outcome. But while this year’s improvements are at the forefront more than 2017‘s showing, the return of series-old issues both on and off the pitch prevent this year’s iteration from reaching the same champion-level heights the likes of PES 2016 so wonderfully claimed. But it says something when even a fair handful of criticisms do little to detract from the pleasure of the core gameplay. Cliche as it may sound in the context of the sport, but it’s what happens on the pitch that matters and PES 2018 proves once again it’s the king of football titles.

PES 2018 significantly improves gameplay, animations and feelings during the game. Despite the squad license and the single player experience, it's still less attractive than the other big football game.

On the pitch, PES 2018 is almost as good as it gets. Fluid mechanics, jaw-dropping goalscoring and real precision in the controls make for thrilling matches and spinning highlight reels. Too bad the old flaws are still there – licenses are sparse and the commentary horrendous. If you can look past the errors, this is a must-buy for football fanatics.

With its peppy presentation and new lick of paint, Konami has breathed even more life into PES with its latest instalment, a celebration of everything thrilling about football. Gameplay is exciting and technical, and the selection of modes varied and replayable to the point where it's hard to see where the franchise will go next - except for fixing some major flaws in Master League and adding some more licenses. Fans of the series need not Pjanic: PES 2018 continues the series' goal-den streak.

So yes, a similar story indeed. Because despite all of this, PES 2018’s extraordinarily good action continues to push the peripheral stuff where it belongs... in the peripheries. But in the context of continuing to assert itself as the purist’s choice, there is still plenty of change needed off the pitch. Still, that football eh? Bloody hell.

PES 2018 is a solid football game, with a plethora of game modes, options and a great feeling on the pitch. Finally going online is not a problem, but the whole package is too similar to that of the previous year.

PES 2018 is a great football game that delivers a fun experience across its various modes. The actual in match gameplay can be sublime and its hardly ever boring thanks to the lack of stoppages. Konami has created a real contender for this year’s footballing crown, but issues like the simple nature of the commentary, and AI being a little silly at times hold it back from being proclaimed champion just yet. However, if you love your football then PES 18 is well worth picking up.

There's just something about the players' movement and the kinds of arcs the ball makes in the air that's just so pleasant to control--every pass, header, and shot just feels right. And when it clicks, and you score a thunderous strike from the edge of the area or finish off a slick passing move or even when you launch an ugly long ball forward to grab a last-gasp winner, it's the closest feeling you'll get to being out there scoring yourself.

I'm amazed these iterations haven't gone stale on me. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 produces a thoughtful distillation of the sport and makes for a slicker, more engrossing contest. Presentation remains held back by the struggle to maintain licenses. I feel online really shows the engine up when you're bombarded with pace and pressure from all sides. An actual game of two contrasting halves, here.

Despite minor complaints, PES 2018 is undoubtedly top-of-the-table where it counts: the pitch. This is PES back on form.

Some notable adjustments make PES 2018 a lovely football game that feels comfortable to play and realistic from the very first match. New animations, better physics and responsiveness are, along with the fact that it is quite challenging, what makes it a fun simulation that has to be considered for this season.

For the past three years, Konami has placed almost all of its focus on gameplay. That's a smart strategy, but the time has come for the developer/publisher to fatten up the other areas of their game. Were this review based purely on gameplay, the score would be much higher. As a complete package, PES 2018 is good, but still incomplete.

PES 18 delivers the best soccer experience on the market so far but it fails in bringing a complete package to it fans. Soccer fan who love to play soccer-sim will love this game, the rest who's searching for more modes like Career or Build-a-team mode better squint to its competitor.

This is the best Pro Evolution Soccer of the last years and it guarantees hours and hours of entertainment online or with your friends. However, its wonderful graphics are not enough to compensate the lack of licenses and the lack of innovation in some game modes.

PES 2018 still plays a solid game of soccer, but is unable to carry on the momentum built up with last year’s good outing. A few gameplay stumbles let down what is otherwise a largely unchanged experience.

PES 2018 is great off the pitch, but its very foundation begins to disintegrate when the whistle blows for kick-off.