It’s exhilarating to see your striker try to control the ball with an extra touch on the outside of his boot while he’s on the full gallop. The added variance in passes, even when they go slightly astray, introduces a realistic dynamic to the game. Last year, PES slowed its gameplay speed down, which made it feel better and more exacting, and this year expands the level of detail with the way players react – sometimes unsuccessfully – to the ball. PES 2019 hits more highs than previous iterations, but it’s also bumping up against its own ceiling. PES 2019 continues this glorious tradition in new ways, but it’s juxtaposed by the A.I., which is out of your control, predictable in its attack, and executes questionable transfer business.
Control has always been one of the masterstrokes of the PES franchise – particularly the ability to express yourself on the pitch, making even those small touches of the ball important.
