There was a time when PES was the undisputed top shot of football games but then EA's FIFA series showed Konami a red card and the franchise has struggled to keep up in recent years. That may all be about to change with this year's installment, however.
Marketing brand manager Adam Bhatti has written about his personal excitement for the game as a fan rather than a Konami employee. He says:
"I'm really excited to see what everything thinks after gamescom, as the brilliant shooting and keepers is only a small part of the awesome change. I tell you, as an ancient PES fan, even seeing certain motions looking different based on stats is something that excites me. Remember WE 10 when you had dribbling over 90 and that 90 degree turn was unique in motion? Yeh, tonnes of that.
"I feel really good. Really happy. And in all honesty if I am very happy, I truly believe everyone who loved PES back in the day will be too. While I should perhaps say it was a given, the first game we've produced on new generation is breathtaking. I always believed we would make a great product this year, but when I play the game and see how far we've come, even I'm surprised.
"I know you all will be too. And sure, it's my job to hype, but it won't be long until you see these words aren't just from a brand manager, but someone like you who longed for those PS2 days to return."
Meanwhile, Bhatti has also told WENB that the game has changed "dramatically" since the first play tests at Old Trafford on July 3rd. He added that the game's "brilliant" shooting and goalkeepers are "only a small part of the awesome change".
The game will be playable at gamescom and has been nominated for best sports game at the German show.
#PES2015 has been nominated for 'best sports game' at the #gamescom2014 awards: http://t.co/wDzeWSUTqr. Who's looking forward to playing?
— Konami UK (@KonamiUK) August 6, 2014
PES 2015 is set for release in September on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
