Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (PSP)

Main review

Let’s get this out of the way: This review won’t be centered like many other yearly update games are written about. It will be perceived through the eyes of a casual player’s eyes and focus on the game itself, rather than have a history and comparison go on between several annual iterations.

Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2012 on a handheld plays a lot like any other version, scaled down to fit the smaller needs. This comes with the needed scaled down visuals as well, even though the short cutscenes themselves look amazing. This is also noticeable in audio parts, with very repetitive and mismatched commentary. Though, luckily, those can be lowered to a minimum and aren’t nearly as annoying as the soundtrack from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; not the movie, but the band that brings shame to its name.  But the most irking feature would be the animations, which are a serious step back and look like hooked, robotic gyrations at times. Luckily, it is still some of the best available on a handheld. The ambiance coming from the smaller scale is still impressive and some modes offer an incredibly immersive vibe, but don’t expect a top notch presentation by any means.

The controls too display a few quirks due to lesser options available, certainly since PES has a ton of variety concerning gameplay. In any position, it is possible to make a wide array of tactical decisions and choose from many skills and variants to just kicking the ball around. A shot on goal can be fierce, curved, controlled, soft or lobbed over the goalie and that’s just one set of options. The issue in this is that there aren’t enough buttons to pull off every shot easily and, in particular, a controlled shot will often become tricky, as it requires multiple inputs. Additionally, a kick’s strength is determined by holding the appropriate button for it, but the time given for it is so minuscule a shot will either be very low or full force, but nothing in between. The sensitivity on it could’ve used a bit of tweaking. Still, thanks to the many available varieties, this can be circumvented with some good old ingenuity.

Luckily, PES offsets these indiscretions by implementing excellent artificial intelligence (AI) on both sides of the pitch, even if far from perfect. Yes, there will be inexplicable errors on more than one occasion, but throughout gameplay, it is still the AI that makes this game. This also makes for a challenging, if not difficult game, even in easier modes. Players close down on space quickly, apply ample pressure and find and exploit holes anywhere they can find it. Defenses run down swiftly and getting a shot in the box will always be as exciting as in the real deal. And even after getting accustomed to the game’s pace, keeping up will still require intense focus, as any 1 flaw will get brutally punished.

It is also this challenge that really sells the game, as it is this trait that keeps gameplay exciting. By practicing and improving, it is definitely noticeable to advance and make better plays, but the AI is this well-balanced that it will rarely occur to win or lose with monstrous results. If this does happen, it’s simply time to advance to a higher level and unlock an even fiercer challenge. Also, the gradation of skills in players individually is extremely realistic and that is a great addition when it comes to making the sport more than just a team effort. Star players will shine through their exquisite dribbling or shot ability and lone wolves will never pass the ball around. Also, keeping up as a mere scrub against top tier players will be an intense battle, which adds even more to the satisfaction gained from beating tougher opponents. If anything, PES 2012 weighs down many individual traits that make a football game great and combines those perfectly in any player individually, making it more than the sum of its parts.

To add even more to that, PES 2012 also has a ton of enticing game modes, from the regularly known ones to some more exotic choices, such as the Champions League and the Copa Santander Libertadores. Each feature has its own appeal and offers something new to explore and to improve in. In particular, League, Master League and the modes concerning Become A Legend are, in fact, quite legendary indeed.

League is pretty much what it states to be: Choose a team in a certain division and make sure to play through an entire year of fixtures in order to win the league. While this only limits to managing the roster properly and playing well, Master League takes this to a new level. Similar to its pupil brother, this mode allows players to immerse themselves in a good, basic managerial position. It isn’t nearly as elaborate as actual manager titles, but it offers most basic introductions, such as sponsors, training, scouting and any other option needed in order to run a club. The team can grow, expand its horizons and eventually become a powerhouse by the decisions made by the manager, but while still allowing to play games actively, rather than just watching them. These modes alone will have dozens upon dozens of hours of gameplay and be virtually endless in replay value with each team separately.

It is therefore only fitting to conclude with the icing on the cake, being Become A Legend. This mode trades in control of an entire team to center gameplay to 1 player. This enables players to personify with one football player and follow his dreams of a professional career, with all the details this brings with it. In a gameplay style comparing to an old classic, Libero Grande, when selected for play, the camera can be fixed to portray the view of that player and follow its exploits on the pitch. It’s both an innovating idea and the most immersive option that this game has. The only downside to it is that it’s sort of limiting and doesn’t offer any gameplay when the chips are down and the player in question isn’t selected or is subbed out.  Still, there is immense satisfaction into personally making sure a victory for the team is delivered from one’s own foot. It doesn’t get any more personal than this.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is still a powerful title, with plenty to offer. It lacks severe polish in a few key points and can get frustrating at points, but when compared to all it does well, many flaws can be forgiven. The handheld doesn’t logically offer as much as its bigger brothers and brings a few quirks of its own, but the many modes and excellent balancing make this a football game that is hard to pass on. Through personifying with many positions in the world of professional soccer, this game knows how to keep players interested and that makes PES 2012 a success.

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)