PES 2014

It might have fallen from its lofty PS2-era perch, but the release of new PES preview code is always an anticipated event. Doubly so if, like this year, there's new technology powering it.

Having taken that decision to change to the FOX engine (which also powers Metal Gear Solid 5), Konami has taken some risks. Some have paid off. Others less so. PES 2014 needs more work if it is to live up to the standard of PES 2013, the first real return to form for the series since PES 6.

Santos' Neymar is a game-changer, but their midfield is solid as well. Bayern are pacey but can also be combative in midfield, Italy (and Pirlo) are a lovely passing team, and Germany are just unbelievably solid, capable of beating teams on every level of play. It takes a different strategy to beat them all, and makes each match you play feel unique, even if they are all broadly similar.

Shooting is also improved over PES 2013 (and FIFA), feeling weighty and natural. Better goalkeeping animations also make for more dramatic finishes. The last instalment had too few postures for the 'keepers to adopt - a traditional problem in FIFA, and one that has the effect of making the goals all feel the same after a while.

PES 2013 was also guilty of a having ball physics that meant, in certain circumstances, it felt like you were kicking a balloon. Here, the ball behaves in a far more realistic manner, meaning that delicate chips and thunderbolt 30 yarders are all possible.

Speaking of animation, it's here that PES 2014 has taken the biggest gamble, and it's one that - at the moment - isn't paying off as I would have hoped. There's no denying that the vast array of new touches, techniques, dribbles and skills are impressive. 

Older PES games were so successful because they were fast and instinctive. There were tricks, but the game was more about using your momentum to beat players. Here, there's a lot more physicality to the game, and it's easy to get bogged down in tiresome midfield exchanges as players bundle into each other, said animations taking slightly too long to start and finish.

It stops what should be the best PES ever from achieving its potential. There's a great football game in here - one where you have to play to your team's strengths rather than charging up the field, and there's still no better goal-scoring feeling than in PES. Let's hope Konami tweak it before release.