Even with the assistance turned up to the maximum (and holding L2 to show the pass direction), many of my passes went straight to an opponent’s feet. Pass assistance is also much less forgiving in PES 15. But not everything is streamlined: calling for pressure in defence requires a double-press and then hold of the circle button in FIFA 15, this requires a single button hold. Generally, movement on the ball feels fluid and exciting. Skill moves can be semi-automated-all the benefits of flashy tricks and feints without the complicated button pressing. Dribbling feels impressive and gives a sense of control. In terms of gameplay, PES 15 does a good job. But the smattering of official teams and players in PES 15 seems to only highlight what is missing, and a bland graphical style doesn’t enhance that deficiency. This has always been the uphill battle for PES: FIFA is the official, licensed product, so it can use actual leagues, teams, and players. Photorealism doesn’t make it any easier to recognise players that nobody knows. The stylised look is not necessarily a flaw-though I did love the presentation of FIFA 15-especially when you consider the shortage of licensed teams and players.

Graphically, PES 15 abandons the photorealistic route. Part of FIFA 15’s charm is that it recreates the experience of watching a live match PES 15 is best when the commentary is muted or turned down low. The biggest issue is the shortage of lines: nearly every single goal is scored off a ‘delicious’ pass, and half of my team are stand-outs that can ‘decide the outcome of matches’ on their own. Weak commentary also contributes to the frustration, but has its own detrimental effects. Every goal scored results in the same lengthy process, which delays the return to actual footballing. Replays in FIFA 15 were exciting but the uninterested could skip them with a single button press PES 15 requires three button presses to skip the overly long celebrations, ‘TV’ replays, and player-controlled replays. PES 15 is supposed to be a no-frills approach to football unfortunately, it seems to have achieved more of a poor-frills outcome. PES 15, on the other hand, is a no-nonsense, stalwart defender who cares little for the extravagance-he’s paid to keep his head down and stop goals. FIFA 15 is like the star striker who is lavished with praise and has all the best sponsorship deals-everybody loves the spectacle of a blistering run and acrobatic goal. Each year they trot out onto the football pitch and show us their best moves. They are opposing teams-rivals-locked in a never-ending struggle for supremacy. Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 competes directly with FIFA 15 to be MVP of the football simulator. Platform(s): PS3, PS4 (reviewed), Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

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