PES 2019 Review: 5 Reasons It's Awesome

Oh, now we're talking.

Goalkeeper upgrades were the most sought after improvement in PES 2018. They might be the change we knew we needed, but until now, vastly reworked defence mechanics were a change we never even knew we wanted.

It wasn't until playing PES 2019 that it became extremely apparent as to how much better the AI for defending had become. The opposition instantly feel like they've become much more aware of oncoming danger, defenders closing down players with the ball quicker, reading passes ahead of time and cutting them out, and putting pressure on a striker who is about to receive a pass.

Bringing this accuracy to the gameplay makes the experience feel much more legitimate, makes you work for your wins and ultimately gives you an immense feeling of satisfaction when you finally manage to get your breakthrough. While that might sound backwards to your end goal of winning the game, it's a realism and authenticity that has been missing from previous instalments, which at times have been guilty of making it too easy for players.

On the plus side, however, the same goes for your own defenders too. Remember all those times last year that one through ball split your defence like a 'hot knife through butter', as Peter Drury would tell you? Well fear not, friends, because while the new mechanics don't promise a clean sheet every game, what they do promise is maximum effort from your back four, along with the notion that your defenders are actually trying to keep out the opposition.

What a time to be alive, eh?