We've had the annual PES/FIFA battle for nine years now. But which one is getting the simulation of football right? We could talk about it for ages, but there's nothing quite like seeing a direct comparison in video. As luck would have it, that's exactly what we've got for you here...
Free kicks
Both games have custom animation routines for free kick specialists. The way Ronaldo stands over the ball, Beckham's bow-legged kicking style... it's all there. But on this evidence, it seems like FIFA really moves the ball based on the player's foot, whereas PES' ball trajectory is quite a surprise when it starts to move, pinging off to the right much more than you'd expect. Observe:
Again, the player animation is superb in both games, although PES gets Ronaldo's trademark stop/start run-up exactly right. Also, PES' motion blurred replays and cutaways look absolutely gorgeous and, coupled with the more responsive net physics, actually make the penalties look more authentic. It's just a shame it doesn't have the atmosphere of FIFA - EA's kickabout really looks like a football match, whereas there's still a hint of sterility about PES' wide shots.
So what do you think? Which game gets the balance between realism and videogame fun right? Let us know in the comments.
29 Oct, 2010
