Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 by Konami has so many features, you won’t know what to do at first. PES 2012 has multiple game modes – both online and offline – to choose from. These modes include Exhibition, UEFA Champions League, Copa Santander Libertadores, and Football Life, which includes Master League and Become a Legend. League & Cup and everything mentioned doesn’t include the online modes and their features.
There is also a training mode to help familiarize yourself with the controls. It is also useful if you need a better understanding of the game in general. Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is like a soccer management simulator and a soccer game all wrapped into one. All depending on the mode you choose, you will have options to manage a team and also play them on the field as well.
If you are like me and enjoy story mode (or a single player campaign) then you will love the Football Life game mode. Here you can choose to play an upcoming soccer player making his way through ranks. The Become a Legend mode can be found underneath the Football life game options in the main menu.
The other game mode underneath Football Life is Master League. This is where you can manage an entire soccer team and control it at the same time. Both modes have a calendar system where each day is broken up into tasks. This allows you to select and set up negotiations, game plans, training and more. Once this is done, there is an option to advance to the next day or choose the day you wish to fast-forward to.
Be careful when using the calendar system. If you jump too far ahead, it can cause you to miss events, game days, and other special days on the calendar. Both Master League and Become a Legend mode has this feature and both are about the same. The only difference is that you’re playing a manager in Major League or a rising soccer player in Become a Legend.
An avatar (persona) must be designed to play the aforementioned modes. There are ten character slots available for additional avatars, and these are available in both Master League and Become a Legend. They can also be used for online play as well. It is also possible to create new avatars for online use.
After progressing further into PES 2012, another mode called Club Boss unlocks. Club Boss offers more challenges by placing you in control of your very own club. You are faced with hard decisions like hiring and firing management, players, and making the final decisions for the club. Just keep in mind that being a boss isn’t all fun and games. This mode gives you an inside look into what it takes to be on the management side of things, while off the field and into the board rooms.
Don’t let the management simulation aspect of PES 2012 scare you off. There are options and settings that can be turned on or off to make the game as easy or as challenging as you want. Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 has well over one hundred plus teams from all across the world to mange and play with.
Playing online can be challenging and fun. There is plenty of tough competition online, so be ready to play some difficult matches. My suggestion would be to let PES 2012 do most of the managing until you become more comfortable with the mechanics. It will help you ease into the experience better.
Just for fun, you can setup two A.I. controlled team matches and watch them play against each other. It’s just like watching a game on television, but you are setting up the matches. The same thrill is there; all that is left is to grab your favorite beverage, a bag of potato chips, and watch the game unfold.
Konami didn’t overlook anything when they developed PES 2012. This is one soccer game that outshines the others and it is well worth the investment. Even before Pro Soccer Evolution 2013 is released, you will still find plenty of replay value in the current release. Soccer fans will not be disappointed.
James ‘DaRipp3r’ Pittaro
Platform: Playstation 3
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Price: $59.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |  |
| Photo realistic and stunning, PES 2012 looks just as realistic as a game on television. | |
| Sound |  |
| The music is decent; it is mainly used during cut scenes and menu systems. | |
| Gameplay | |
| The best soccer experience I have ever had the pleasure of playing. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| PES 2012 has all the bells and whistles a soccer game should. | |
