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FIFA 16 vs Pro Evo 2016: Which game has the edge?
Get ready for kick off and an all-out fight for supremacy later this year. Which team are you on?
At first, it all went FIFA’s way, but after Konami’s ISS emerged, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for EA. Pro Evolution Soccer ruled the PS2 er, with superior gameplay making it the football sim of the second gen.
Despite having all the player names and teams, it’s FIFA's massive gameplay overhaul that has made it the gamer’s choice for the last few bouts – although Konami has closed the gap once again in the last year. FIFA is still the fully licensed powerhouse it’s always been – but now Pro Evo’s gripping gameplay and upgraded graphics make it stronger than ever.
Come September, it’s all going to kick off again. First details for both titles are starting to emerge: FIFA 16 should bring even more to the pitch, but will it be enough to stop the slow re-emergence of Pro Evo? Let’s take an educated guess, like a studio pundit before the advert break.
Graphics
An area where FIFA has always had an edge. Where FIFA was able to reconstruct teams and players with Premier League-like quality, Pro Evo’s graphics have always looked a bit, well, League One.
That was until last year, anyway. Pro Evolution 2015’s FOX engine – the same one that will power the lush-looking Metal Gear Solid V – finally made it a near match to FIFA, with sharp animations and player likenesses finally looking next-gen. Pro Evo 2015 also added proper light-sourcing to games, so stadia and action on the pitch was more faithfully created – and truer to life. And there’s every chance that Pro Evolution 2016 will be able to build upon the strides demonstrated in 2015.
As for FIFA? Every year, it makes a slow, incremental upgrade, so it’s up to EA to respond to Konami’s recent improvements.
Last year EA added around 50 new animations to goalkeepers, and even let players get dirty during games for the first time. Off the pitch, atmospheric stadia and energetic crowds also made games more convincing, but EA will need to do even more to keep FIFA ahead next year. The latest trailer for the FIFA 16 looks nice enough, but will it look better than Pro Evo 2016? We’ll have to wait to find out.
Gameplay
This one will go down to penalties. Back in the heady days of the Playstation 2, Pro Evolution Soccer was gameplay king, with each fixture a hard-fought battle to get on the scoresheet. You had to work on battles through the defence, midfield and final third of the pitch, and a goal was the result of clever passing, use of space – and often a little luck. At the same time, scoring on FIFA used to be as straight forward as giving the ball to your best player and tapping R1.
That all changed a few years ago, however. For the last few titles, FIFA has upped its gameplay levels, with more realistic ball control, less super-human players (Messi excepted, obvs) and better AI all adding to the experience. What’s more, EA’s AI goalkeepers also got a much-needed overhaul last year, so they only fumble the ball once a match now instead of once a half.
Pro Evolution 2015 however, marks a massive return to form for Konami's football sim. Thanks to more cerebral gameplay and far more intelligent AI, winning a game at Pro Evo 2015 requires even more focus and control than FIFA. It’s all about getting space and using it efficiently, and even when you get everyone right, you're only occasionally rewarded with a goal. Pro Evo 2015 makes you work harder for goals – but it’s more rewarding when they come.
Although players don’t always look 100 percent like their counterparts, Pro Evolution 2015 also introduced PES ID, a feature that at least makes certain players behave like their real-life counterparts. By giving the world's Neymars and Messis their own animations and style, Pro Evo makes gameplay even more fun. It gives your team a unique playstyle, and makes you adapt your tactics to the superstars at your disposal.
Last year was the closest things have ever been with FIFA and Pro Evolution, with many believing Pro Evolution Soccer finally reclaimed its title of “gameplay champion.” In 2016, it’s likely that Konami will build upon its success, and make further strides in the gameplay stakes. Pro Evolution has always been the king of playability, and now that it's on the right track it’ll be hard to stop. Of course, FIFA has turned things round before – but it’s going to be difficult.
Licensing and presentation
As certain as a Ronaldo goal or a high-profile manager sacking, every year FIFA brings a fully-licensed game to fans. In FIFA 15 there are over 25 licensed championships, as well as the Premier League – and the attention to detail is off the charts.
In contrast, Pro Evolution Soccer has always been a mixture of hilarious names like Von Mistelroum and epic battles with North London FC and Merseyside Reds. The only relevant competition Pro Evolution 2015 has the rights to is the Champions League, and although it’s better than nothing, it’s nowhere near enough to tempt casual players. Pro Evolution Soccer has always required players to suspend their belief or go crazy in the name editing suite, and unless there’s a miracle in Konami’s licensing department, 2016 sees the trend set to continue.
Interestingly, the gap between the two games may actually get wider this year, with FIFA 16’s introduction of international women’s teams, announced just last week. So far EA has 12 teams on board, and it’s just another example of the developer's thorough approach when it comes to football.
Depth
A game is more than just how it looks on the surface, and Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 promises to offer the richest playing experience yet. PES 2015 featured impressive AI, while myClub, an overhauled version of the mighty Master League was even more rewarding. Players could complain based on team performance, while even Team Spirit had a part to play in your team’s success. On the field, Pro Evo 2015 was also more immersive than ever, giving every player-manager the chance to tweak tactics to their heart’s content. There were a wealth of menus and formations on offer – something FIFA simply couldn't match. Although there’s no details yet, you can expect Pro Evolution to do even more this time round, and it’s going to be awesome.
Ultimate Team is still one of the most absorbing modes you can play, but FIFA 16 will have to go deeper this year if it’s to match Pro Evo’s level of tinkering.
Multiplayer
Regardless of what your opponents will tell you, FIFA has always been known for its solid online experience. Thanks to EA’s tried and tested knowledge with everything from Battlefield 4 to Need For Speed, finding and playing games in FIFA is easy – and that looks set to continue in FIFA 16. While Pro Evolution Soccer 15 made some ground last year, it still lacked the refined nature of FIFA – but Konami knows that, and will be looking to improve things this time round.
Finally...
Although it’s still hard to say which the best game will be – our money’s on Pro Evolution 2016 lifting the cup this time. Although FIFA 15 is just about the best game around, this year Pro Evolution 2016 should continue its upward trajectory and edge it. Building upon its advances in graphics and its already superior gameplay, Pro Evolution just needs some tinkering here and there to overcome FIFA once again. Of course, a few more licenses wouldn’t go amiss.
