PES 2016 vs FIFA 16: 8 Key Aspects Previewed And Compared

4. Defending

For some years now, PES has been scraping past FIFA in the tackling department, while still being riddled with more defensive flaws than the Brazilian national team. In FIFA, defenders' efforts always seeming lethargic in comparison to the more direct, rugged efforts of PES players (even though FIFA on the whole feels more physical). FIFA 2016 makes progress here in big ways. You can now tap 'X' to get up quicker from a slide tackle, carrying the momentum of your slide into getting back on your feet. The same applies for standing tackles, with players demonstrating much better powers of recovery and ability to have a second crack. Sliding blocks - popular with PES players for years - are also coming to the fore in FIFA, so pressing the tackle button at the right moment will have your midfielder reach out to intercept a pass, or slide across the goal in a last-ditch attempt to block a shot.

For its part, PES 2016 is introducing shoulder-barging - a feature that Konami should've added years ago instead of diving. This is another move to address the criticism of previous PES games that attackers would effectively be 'glued' to the ball, and will add some much-needed physicality to the game. Speaking of which, can Konami please make the AI play a bit dirtier so I actually get the chance to practice my free kicks? Both games will feature more interceptions by midfielders - which will prevent many frustrated yells of "Why did he just let the ball right past him!?!?". Tapping 'X' at the right moment in Pro Evo 2016 will now have a player reach out or even lunge for a ball to intercept it.