Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 Review: 6 Ups & 4 Downs

4. The Depth In Gameplay

Presentation is all fine and dandy, but it all means nothing if the gameplay doesn't hold up. Thankfully PES 2020 possesses both style and substance, matching its quality visuals by bringing a depth to gameplay that's been sorely lacking from other sports simulators on the current gen.

Put simply, PES plays superbly. Passing feels exquisite and the ball behaves like an actual ball. That last point might seem like an odd one to make, but the way the ball floats through the air feels realistic, as do the nuances in how players receive and play it in possession.

Animation helps sell the gameplay even better. Players will pass in all sorts of different ways depending on if they're under pressure or not, and the AI is just generally rather intelligent. Your teammates will make the right kind of runs and will drop deep if you're having trouble building possession up the pitch, and this can all be changed with tactics before and during a given match.

Set-pieces can be orchestrated to an almost acute detail, while a variety of tactics and styles can be deployed depending on how you want to play. It's ultimately where PES distinguishes itself as an engrossing experience, as no one team ever feels the same and players are able to taylor each individual component of their squad for different events and scenarios.