What makes you buy FIFA or PES? Is it the licences or presentation? Is it the pop culture influence? There's no doubt that EA Sports currently own the football market but the reasons for that are becoming less clear. Are we simply forgetting what football is all about? In this day and age, are graphics and proper teams more important than sheer gameplay? PES 2015 is superior on the pitch in several key areas because it makes you play football. Passing requires greater skill enabling you to thread pin-point balls that split the defence. For once in PES and contradictory to FIFA, there doesnt seem to be a overpowered type of pass thats guaranteed to work chipped though-balls can be devastating but can be easily defended if you spot the run; similarly playing it wide draw defenders out, giving attackers more room in the box, but skilled players can now cover themselves more easily. The variability of scoring is miles ahead of FIFA 15 also. Matches in FIFA 15 are usually decided by finesse shots, headers or simple tap ins as you sweat it across the goals but in PES 2015, shooting is undoubtedly one of the most appealing aspects of the game. It's difficult to score but having a crack is always encouraged. Rarely will you score the same goal. Crossing is slightly underpowered and wingers seem less pacey so its not simply a case of passing to your star winger and ripping up the wings. Goals need to be crafted by carving defences open but brilliantly, you can still score the flukey last minute winner with a late push. FIFA 15 struggles with defence and the AI, both player wise and team included suffers from stupidity on various occasions throughout matches. This year, Konami boldly claimed the pitch was theirs and for sheer gameplay, they have succeeded. Winner: PES 2015So the deciding vote is left up to you. PES 2015 is a much better game on the pitch and FIFA 15 is visually superb. Which is more important? Is gameplay enough on its own? You decide and don't forget to get in touch in the comments below!
Barry O' Halloran has been a whatculture writer for the last two years and having recently graduated, now plans on writing about games & movies until his hands fall off. Follow him on twitter!
