PES 13’s demo is now live on all major consoles as it looks to get a head start on its bitter rival, the FIFA series.
The age old battle between two of the video game world’s football simulation giants is set to go another round later this year with both EA Sports and Konami set to release the latest instalments in their respective series.
EA Sports has already talked up FIFA 13, stating that the game has refined all the features that made its predecessor such an overwhelming success, while Konami have gone on about how the series is taking a turn in a new direction and introducing a number of new, game changing features.
Pro Evo 13 seems to be focused on recreating each player’s individual traits and abilities. The game also boasts advanced AI for both the player’s own team as well as the other team. This includes making advanced runs into space as well as holding back to receive a pass.
Another major change for the series is the fact that Barcelona and Argentina star, Lionel Messi, will not be on the game’s cover as he has been for so many years. Instead, he has been replaced by Real Madrid sensation and Portugal Captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The move came as a result of EA Sports signing Messi for the FIFA series and Konami countering the move by signing Ronaldo. The two players and the teams they represent epitomise the rivalry between the FIFA and the PES series.
There was a time when the FIFA series was the only football simulation to go to before Konami introduced Winning Eleven Soccer. The series went on to undergo a brand change and become Pro Evolution Soccer or Pro Evo, PES.
Bit by bit the series overtook FIFA as the premier football simulation crown and became the football simulation title for many as the competition lost its way. However, in recent years, the FIFA series has made a comeback and knocked PES off its perch with Konami unable to compete.
This time around though it seems as if the Pro Evolution Soccer title will give its FIFA counterpart a run for its money and Konami want to make sure their title gets every chance of making that happen.
The publisher has released the demo of the game on PC, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 and it includes eight teams, all of which are fully licensed.
The teams included are Santos FC, Fluminense, Flamengo and SC International as well as a number of European National teams such as Germany, England, Italy and Portugal.
The demo is free to download via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Store as well, so what are you waiting for?
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