Round Four: Hype
A difficult thing to quantify, but one that matters all the same - this section relates to how well the demos convinced us to go out and buy the full versions of the games on release day, including how they teased new features and extra content. Basically, how good an advert the demo was for selling the game.
FIFA 13 The problem of the delayed PS3 release might not have been down to EA Sports, but it left something of a bitter taste to the demo launch, and though the content included was excellent, and the gameplay even more so, there just wasn't enough included in the demo in terms of content compared to Pro Evo's package to really sell the game to anyone looking for more than the in-match experience. Still, the improvements from last year's FIFA 12, which had some serious issues, are huge, and the demo definitely suggested that those
PES 2013 A victory for the Pro Evo team here, who actually released a second demo fixing some issues and teasing more content than the original demo previously released - it looked like Konami were listening to fan reactions, as they fixed a couple of bugs with the first version and made more teams available to play to the delight of fans. Had it not been for the unfortunately highly publicised antics of PES Team Leader Jon Murphy, who didn't need to go public with his anger at EA Sports and their perceived dirty tactics, I could have given the pre-release marketing a better score all round, but that coupled with the fact that Konami just don't seem to advertise as much as EA Sports left something of a blemish. I can say however, that the demos released were a great advert for the game, and speaking to a lot of fellow gamers can confirm that for the first time in a long time, for a while it was Pro Evo 13 that I was looking forward to the most of the two games. And the winner is...?
FIFA 13
Though the demo was lightweight on actual content and playable teams, the gameplay experience was so entertaining at the same time as feeling realistic that it's impossible not to be bowled over by the game. Yes, some might say it's hard to get excited by the changes made to a game that releases every year, and will sell no matter what happens, but EA Sports seem to have really concentrated on making a slicker and more authentic gameplay experience, which is aided by the uplift in presentation and aesthetics that usually comes with the new year. That isn't to say that Pro Evo 13 is a bad demo - far from it in fact, and this year's battle between the two big guns of football gaming was closer than it has been since Pro Evo briefly reigned supreme. A lot of gaming hours have passed since then, but on the strength of this demo, Konami are definitely heading in the right direction and EA Sports had better be looking over their shoulder even more. So what do you think? Was the FIFA 13 demo better than the Pro Evo 13 one? Which game will you be buying? Share your thoughts below.