Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 Reviews
PES 2017: Pro Evolution Soccer is an excellent football game in which fun and realism are balanced. Every pass, every tackle, every goal feels like it has meaning, and Konami has done a great job of creating the ultimate matchday atmosphere. Master League, with its new improvements, is more fun than ever and oozes personality, while the wide array of customisation makes the game personal and prevents the game from suffering too much from its lack of licensing.
For those who are simply looking for the best football game around, there are few better than Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 thanks to additions and improvements all over the pitch from the previous entries in the franchise. However, with only a small range of licenses and a lacklustre editor, those that value authenticity, an entirely reasonable demand considering that the aim of these games is to recreate the sport to its fullest, may want to wait a few weeks to see how the new FIFA fares before making a purchase.
The realism has really been ramped up this year, making every pass, tackle and goal attempt feel accurate and worthwhile. The goalkeepers and graphics have vastly improved too, even if the more realistic referees might frustrate you at first – just as they do in the real game.
If PES 2016 was the best entry in around a decade, then PES 2017 is arguably among the greatest in the series full stop. With extra care and attention paid to improving on many of its predecessor’s strengths, as well as tweaking and fixing adhered to its issues, PES 2017 comes out of it as a fantastic football game.
PES 2017 is in many way the game that PES 2016 should have been. It shares the same deep mechanics, but the AI – especially the goalies – is so much better. PES 2017 may be a let down for those who want as many licenses as possible, for everyone else this is one of the best soccer games ever.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
PES 2017 is on the right path. The team assembled a less frenetic gameplay, and peppered the game with interesting features, improving a solid structure that continues to consolidate over time. Too bad for the usual licenses issue, even if the premium partner is a good solution that will bear its fruit in the coming years.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If this review appears overly-critical, it's only because Pro Evolution Soccer is so close to being a complete product on and off the pitch. With the base gameplay seemingly nailed down, Konami should be capitalising by improving other elements of its beautiful game: chiefly its presentation, style, and game modes. Whatever shortcomings it has before and after the whistle blows however, the pure footballing experience of PES remains second-to-none.
All of this works to take the heart out of this game, and make it feel like a slap-dash effort on PC. The gameplay is truly eclectic, but the ridiculous graphics fiasco and the lackluster set dressing bring it way down. It may well be the best gameplay this series has seen since the PS2 era, but it doesn’t look the part.
Is Konami's PES17 better than what competitor Electronic Arts will offer with FIFA17? Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, PES17 is a solid title that is as entertaining as it is satisfying to play.
While the upgrades made outside of the match this year are barely worthy of the name, the improved action on PES 2017's pitches is more than enough to warrant the asking price. Superb stuff, indeed.
Once you get out on the pitch, this is the best game of football ever made. It’s the most technically savvy, intelligent and free-flowing experience I’ve ever had on a digital pitch. I just hope that the online experience – an enormous flaw last year – holds up so that this experience can be excellent across the board.
PES 2017 is a fantastic representation of the beautiful. You could play this game for months on end and still find new ways to beat opponents while being amazed at what you just saw. Those who are brave enough to swim against the FIFA stream will be rewarded with arguably the best football video game representation to date.
Konami might not be involved in video games for much longer, but they can still put out one heck of a football sim. Pro Evolution Soccer 2017‘s Master League is one of the best career modes I’ve ever played in a sports game, and it’s backed up by incredibly solid gameplay. Once you look at the disappointing lack of team licenses, players will find one of the most rewarding sports games available.
In terms of pure gameplay, Pro Evolution 2017 is the best soccer simulation on the market. Unfortunately, truly appreciating it requires plenty of concessions.
Pro Evolution Soccer has never looked better, and with great controls to match, Pro Evo 2017’s core gameplay is incredible. However, a lack of licenses and repetitive commentary keep the title from shining as brightly as it could have.
Continuing to go from strength to strength, PES 2017 is the zenith for Konami's stellar footie series, representing all of the pieces falling into place to create on-the-pitch nirvana. There are some extremely minor flaws, but all in all, PES 2017 is wonderful.
PES 2017 is without a doubt the best on-the-pitch football you will play, and perhaps the best in recent memory.
Another big step in the right direction
In regards to gameplay, PES 2017 is easily the best in the series to date and arguably the best football game ever made. No other football game nails what makes this sport so universally loved around the world like Konami’s latest instalment. However, if this is enough to knock FIFA off its perch remains unclear. Ultimately, where PES is lacking is of course where FIFA is at its strongest – Authenticity. The distinct lack of officially licensed teams will always be a stumbling block, though, as before mentioned, there are mods available that add official kits and badges if you wish to change them.
So, it is a very good thing that core gameplay is the most important feature of a sports sim, because, playing football in Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 has never been better. The argument could be made that playing football has never been better in all gaming. While there are plenty of issues, if you’re willing to work around, or ignore them, there’s an awesome, accessible, and complex game that won’t match FIFA in everything, but may just beat it in the thing that matters most.