[TTB] PES 2019 In-depth Gameplay Review - The Good, The Bad, & Everything In-between! 

Truebits: pes is the most random football game ever. Fifa 19: hold my 35 yard, back facing the goal one time shot...

By far the most detailed and accurate review of Pes i've ever seen. Keep up the good work man.

I looked at my play history for pes 2018. 104 hrs in a year. Pes 2019 I've already clocked 48 hours in 5 days and I feel like I'm just getting started. That speaks volumes. The low cross is an issue + the superhuman back heels.

The low crossing is doing my head in you also lose control of the player some times

Here because its free with ps plus July 2019 . Edit : they pulled the game and give Detroit : become human instead . 😠

PES 2018 the A.I. were constantly spamming the lofted through balls. Now it's low crosses. Ughhh

Maybe it's because i haven't played PES in the last two years, but i love PES 2019 and i am having great time with it. And maybe because i am not super skilled in it, the AI behaves differently in my matches because i am not seeing them abusing the side low cross that much. It happens, but they often try to pass through the middle etc. But truth is that when they do cross from the side, its always low cross. I don't remember seeing AI attempting normal high cross. What i don't like is that the players (even the best ones) have very very low response times. It often takes them a year to shoot or to accept pass from teammate etc. And my personal problem (not the games fault) is that no matter what i do, no matter how or when i press the button, i cannot win a header. AI always wins both in defensive and in offensive headers. I can win header only when i am alone :D I've tried different timings and everything but so far no luck. But overall I love the gameplay so much and because last two years i played FIFA, i love even the PES presentation, cut scenes, walkouts on the pitch and everything, because its fresh and new for me compared to FIFA.

Best review of PES. Please Konami, fix the AI issues right away. We all hate those low crosses. They ruin the game.

always agree with you TTB, PES need more upgrades, specially all their weaknesses. Konami should hire you as consultant, really mean it.

It’s a great game but the AI low crossing spam, keepers not coming off their line when you’re running in on goal and AI unexplained turning back as running through in goal at times rather than shooting is strange. Also the AI hardly shots from outside the box is near on non existent. Sort all that shite out and it would be perfect. I’d still play this over the garbage fifa any day though

I’m boycotting PES 2019, I believe we all should. Konami has zero respect for the community. Unless commentary, presentation, and AI fixed

Not a gameplay issue, but what pisses me off most apart from low crossing is Leicester and West Ham selling their WHOLE squad every first transfer window. It's ridiculous, I've played West Ham and they've had 3 players on the bench and that's it. That needs to be fixed ASAP.

If they patch the AI being more decisive in breakaways and one-on-ones, variety of attacks( long shots) and keepers coming off the line then I'd give it a 10 out for 10 for gameplay. I just don't know how it could play any better. Sure, it will become stale after a while and "different" will seem "better" for 2020, but for what it is, I rate it as a practically perfect game of footy.

Great review, however there are some vital aspects of the gameplay that need fixing either now or in the future games. 1. Player switching - When the ball is passed to a certain player, it is locked until that player receives the ball. 2. Cross/through ball defence - Your player is locked on chasing the ball as well as the attacker until you or the opposition get to the ball first. You cannot run across freely. 3. Dribble speed and Skill speed - Dribble speed is too fast and skill speed is too slow (not responsive). 4. Shooting/crossing curlers - Insane amount of bend and it is too slow/floaty. 5. Headers - Great animations but there's no power and is way too floaty.

What about headers? Not sure if it’s just me but headers this year don’t seem right. Somehow they always end up being extremely soft. Even simple headers.

repeating my comments; i wish PES had EVERYTHING FIFA has except GAMEPLAY.

Good to see a man of reason talking about PES. Usually there's no good content from PES players.. probably because they're too busy playing and enjoying PES.. I really hope they fix the AI attack pattern to more random if it is as you say that they always attack from flank.

anybody else botherd that players are same height in celebrations?

Anyone think that headers are impossible to score from crosses/corners?

I've seen everybody talking about the low cross thing. Maybe it's because I suck at defending, but AI doesn't score from low crosses against me. Yes they spam the wings a bit but when they score it's almost always through one touch passing into the box and a first time shot from 6 yards out.

Maybe it's just me but I've noticed more variation in CPU goals on top player difficulty then super star which is unfortunate.

I agree with damn near everything you mentioned

Who’s here after eShiteball 2022 .. RIP PES19 the goat.

Great review, fair and honest. I think there is another minor positive that's worth mentioning - the first touch. The new first touch animations, particularly with world class players like Bale, Messi, Ronaldo, etc., give the player the ability to kill the ball quickly and look for a pass or begin a run. Also, legendary difficulty seems more playable this year; the AI do not become superhuman like 18' and it's easier to create chances, although there are occasions where the AI still perform above their ability. As for conceding from low crosses, I'd say that I've played 20-30 games and around 70-75% of the goals I've conceded have been from low crosses.

Same problems from PES18 and ML is the exact same. It’s better than PES18 but only slightly. Not worth purchasing at full price. Just use game speed on -2 for PES18 and it feels pretty similar to PES19.

I'm actually quite disappointed by this game. Love 2018 and even 2017 but there just hasn't been enough to vouch for the purchase. Think I'll stick with 2018. Yearly iteration are beginning to bother me now lol

After playing FIFA last few years I switched in this year to PES...and it's amazing... UI,licences,presentation,commentators are better in FIFA but this what is most important in a football game - gameplay is much better in PES...a specially on manual, it is real football experience with players on the pitch behaving much better than in FIFA.

Also, they didn't fix the bug in Master League where some teams sell off half their players. I've seen one instance where a team in Premier League only had one defender in the whole squad. And it would be so much better if the first transfer window could be disabled.

Finally an honest review. Can't believe this game keeps,getting such high scores with the same issues not fixed over the years and apart from, gameplay, the rest of the game hasn't been changed at all.. I had enough last year and returned 2018 and kept 2017. Maybe I'll get this when its 30 bucks and has some patches.

It's amazing how loose the ball is. It bounces all over the place and never feels like it's laser guided or magnetized to players feet. It goes a long way to feeling natural and unscripted.

Going by your review it looks like a 6/10.

4:43 I love how the ball is bumping up on the pitch

Halfway thru my first master league season and totally agree - The AI basically has one tactic, wings and cross to score, even if they clear on goal they will wait for winger to pass the ball to and it gets annoying. Also the AI keepers never come out! I have yet to score a chipped goal against the AI because they just don't give you the opportunity and I score loads in the online demo. All and all it's a solid game but if Konami can address the points you made it will improve game vastly.

The game is not doing it for me now. A lot of things to tweak on gameplay imo. Players not jumping for headers, cpu players switch spasm between themsleves, slides sometimes cant be made during 50-50 situation and more. Might download a patch for pes2018 and go back to that.

what did I say, all big hype but the only difference is the gameplay its still Pes 2018 20 and I'm glad you mentioned about the 2d turf lets hope konami steps into this

Player match ratings are my biggest bugbear. You can score a hat-trick and be given a 7.0, while everybody else will typically range from 5.5-6.5 in every match. It makes the match ratings irrelevant and can so easily be fixed, especially when looking at all the additional detailed data captured in co-op matches

Mate your a legend when it comes to reviewing and helping out. Signed up to Pes universe this year. Pes for me has been the best football game ever in terms of gameplay.

I think 7.8 is a fair rating atm. Doesn't mean the game is poor, just needs some major fixing. I've had a few moments on Superstar where the ai is one on one with the keeper and they run away from goal. Terrible. Low cross issue coupled with clipping results in some really bad goals, even if your defender has position the ai strikers' leg will go through your body and get to the ball first. Happens too often and I'm still yet to see the ai shoot from outside the 18yd box. These issues are too glaring and ruin a really good football game. Fix these and add a stadium designer and it is easily a 9.5+ game.

Brilliant Review !! I believe one big thing that PES are ignoring is the "cinematic" experience a match must give the player . what I mean by that is , the Gameplay along with the cut scenes must look like a TV production . The goal celebration cut scenes are actually awful . My right back gave an assist from the right flank , and in the very next second , in the next scene he was celebrating with the goal scorer near the Left corner flag . The freeze frames after the ball goes out or behind need to be smoothened or finished like a real life scene (with an option to skip ). Little little things . The boring menus need an overhaul . The playlist needs to be more global . I hope they do something about these things .

You are right man. No complains at all..I'm a fan since PS2 and i can see how you manage to analyse the game this year. you know what youre doing

Can someone share this to Konami's twitter? or PES developer?

I think the ai failing to shoot outside box.. the limited attacking variety From cpu. The goalkeepers not venturing much within box esp one on ones ...all this is killing the game and makes master league into fake unrealistic football . I would rate it 7 out of 10 .. I am concerned that in this modern era it's the online that matters most so cpu teams are getting mild touches just to cater us solo players on a very small level . I have sold my copy .. and think this game should be the last pes for a few years until they concentrate on producing a game for single players offline ... that's where their market is .. cos fifa wins in all other areas .

You've hit the nail on the head right there 'for everything good thing that happens there is bad a thing"

Totally agree with all your points. For the history, all the goals I have received at any difficulty level is from low crosses.

Six and a half out of ten is what I'd give the game from what you've said in this video. The flaws that were in the demo have not been addressed in the final version. I said they wouldn't be, and so I'm not surprised one bit. We know Konami are lazy, and don't sufficiently play test the game before release. True Brits has spent quite a few hours playing, and has found these flaws relatively quickly. Konami however, has had MONTHS in which to discover and rectify them. Why then, are we having to do their job for them ? I will not be buying the game UNLESS and UNTIL they fix the faults. What other product is put on sale that is consistently substandard and yet the company expects the consumer to accept it as such ? I'll be sticking with my reliable and enjoyable PES 2017. At least for now. Get your act together, Konami. But we say this every year don't we ?

Spot on TTB. You have said what I have been saying on other PES youtube channels. For me if Konami give the human player the tools to do skill moves, high crosses, shots outside the box, running directly at defenders etc then why dont they give the same options to the AI? It is as if the AI and the human player are playing a different game to each other on the same pitch. Would love to ask Adam Bhatti about this. BTW admire your confidence that Konami will address these issues in a patch.

Just read that in Japan it's number 1 with 70k+ sales. I'm very happy for konami at this news. Best football game ever made

If you go back and look at your pes 18 videos the Ai are much better then pes 19 they will take long shots they will actually run therw on goal when they are therw on goal unlike in pes 19 they will turn round are do a turn or take it to the corner then pass it back and do a low cross the gameplay is definitely there this year but the Ai just wreck the game for much better on pes 18

Player ID seems to vanish for COM teams, never saw a fantastic dribble by Messi, Ronaldo, or Hazard for example when they are in COM team

Love the review style with a face to the voice. Do all your vidz like this. Nice and innovative

For a Fifa player mainly (i own PES 16,17,18) PES 19 is definitely the best PES I've played in years , still has the same niggles TTB expertly points out which Konami has no excuses not to improve . For me the niggles are presentation , stadium editor or not enough generic stadiums in game , edit mode could be improved , the AI low cross i've seen alot of but this might be a PC major problem as on PS4 playing over 30+ games i've seen all types of crosses though not many long range shots outside the box from the AI , clipping etc .

I’m a PES person as well, actually an ISS64 person. But I’ve tried FIFA a year ago and it’s far from trash. The experience was highly enjoyable. These problems you point out sound game breaking for me. If everything of PES is judged on the pitch then these aren’t excusable and FIFA has PES by the throat. I’ve played the PES demo and I’m in love with the new animations, first touch pass and pace. But these problems make me want to pass

This game has the potential to be phenomenal.. but the spamming of low crosses and cut backs from the CPU is a real spoiler! Attacking is excellent, realistic and tough (I play manual on superstar).. the defending is great too (last year was abysmal).. but the AI spoil the game with their tactics. I'd say easily 80% of the CPU attacks are get the ball wide, and either low cross or pass inside once and first time cut back. I've conceded 2 goals which have not been scored this way.. the rest have all been from low crosses or cutback. It's very frustrating.. because the game could be so good this year.

Couldn't agree more with you. Perfect description, low crosses annoy me, especially when you feel, this is the goal of the AI. Its like the AI found a bug in his own system and keeps trying to use it. Like curve (finesse)-Shots in FIFA. Regularly im playing Superstar, but when you play MYCLUB against AI trying to win a Cup, you play on a lower level (advanced, or pro i guess). Still AI penetrates the wings. Try to defend Neymar, Mbappe, at the wings with a 63 rated player. Its ridiculous, only chance is to be great at positioning and be lucky they play a bad pass inside the box. You are going to win this games, but surely not with defense. You got to score simply one more goal then CPU. But its complaining on a high level, i enjoy the gameplay and hope Konami is doing its job for the next updates. Cant wait they fix it and we can have an outsanding gameplay experience.

I don't mind if the presentation isn't a priority; I don't think its why we all play PES. But when they don't focus on ML, BAL, presentation etc, we should all expect the gameplay to be better than the last iteration.

The review is spot on. Totally agree with it.

As a pes vet who plays the game since ISS i need to say we only realy care for the gameplay and how it feels. And it feels gud so far. We dnt care about presentation we skip it anyways to start the match

Good point TTB, actually I was waiting when you will make this analysis of game. Because I also was hyped with DEMO of PES 2019 (as always DEMO is better than final game) but now when I play it I am getting bored because of AI playstyle. It doesn't matter who against you play AI playstyle is never changes. I am not really good on it yet but defending is still crap as you are always late. I don't know how they would like to fix it but if not it is most probably my last PES as I am really tired of this crap they do year over the year. Since PES 2014 they havn't provided finalized game on release date yet. It is just funny as well when they say there is not enough space for D2 of Spain and Italy I mean common it is busines and this kind of excuses like in the kindergarden. Another year of frustration :(

some points i cant stop thinking aboout 1- when you defend ... the ball pass beside or through the players so much that could make you crazy 2- the turning point to change the player direction is so bad ... that FORCE the gameplay to 1 touch pass or 1 - 2 passes or counter attacks if have spaces cuz you cant try to risk and dribble when you will have easy way to pass and have a real chance to be honest the game could be much much better if there are some slight changes to it.

Konami and EA have massive issues when it comes to getting the AI right. They concentrate too much on changing Graphics every year and forgetting about the basic game mechanics. The Graphics are a big part, but when it comes to gameplay that has to be their biggest concern. I wish The Option file could change the Menu's in PES, because Konami haven't changed them for over 10 years. That is the only graphical change they could concentrate on...lol Wish we got a merger of the 2 games and us footy fans would be happy boys & girls. Great video by the way 👍⚽

We need sensible soccer 2019

Totally agree on your points TTB. The AI abuse the low crosses far to much, they don't shoot from outside the box and the keepers are stuck on the line... fix those things and we'll have an absolute blast in this. They also need to address the transfer market in ML mode, even though the player values are relative they are far to low compared with real life valuations. I'm also finding it very easy to sign world class players via the scouting system. Still love PES and 2 seasons into ML.. Love it!!

the game is rushed and not a finished product. Pes 2018 was complete this is a step backwards.

It's annoying because the game would be amazing without these problems, and they're such obvious problems! You've got to wonder what 'testing' actually consists of for some games. Companies seem to take advantage of online updates, releasing Beta games, knowing that they can fix things with updates after sale. Imagine if this kind of things happened with PS2 games (when no one was really connected to the internet). These obvious bugs never used to happen because game testing used to be an integral part of game development. These days, it seems like testing is done by consumers once the game has been purchased.

I laughed so hard when he said you could be using neymar it's like using cris smalling 😂😂😂

Very good analyse 👍 I really hope dev team listen to u and fix all CPU issues with a patch.

you nail it man, the thing is that konami change those bad things

My players dont even try to jump when the ball is played from a goal kick for example, they are always just staying on the ground and the person who stands in front of the other always wins the ball, am I doing something wrong?

Good review, sounds like you're making a lot of objective points. Props to you.

i brought pes for first time at the start of the game instead at the end when its like £10 and honestly i love it become a legend fun even in pro camara and my club is reall fun and the gameplay is great.

Have you played the Fifa series on Manual control ? I have since 2009 and its really makes the game much more controlled and intelligent. Currently play ProClubs will 11 manual players too. To me PES Manual is too forgiving (not that hard), the shooting has always been shit, but if it is better this year that is a plus. Good to see Konami isn't giving up yet. If EA or Konami want to improve these gaming communities, disabling pass assist online is the only way to do that.

i agree with everything you said. i have been pes fan from ps2. but as soon as i got ps4 its been fifa all the way until pes 2018.i borrowed it from a friend (still have it)lol ,,its very fun and feels right you know.. i have played both fifa and pes 19 and i think pes took a step back actually. i feel like if they had the funding they would overtake fifa in no time.. forcing both brands to try their best just like the old times.now pes is just sad to think about losing uefa and fifa is lazy and are making games more pricey for absolutely no reason whatsoever. my one problem with this game is master league. after transfer windows the game feels more and more unrealstic beacuse of all the weird transfers. i dont know how they code their AI but its a huge problem in gameplay and literaly everywhere.else. which is one thing fifa does nicely.its unpredictable but not too unpredictble.and fifas AI feels like you're playing against a real person most of the time. sometimes pes AI makes weird decisons like pass back when keeper is not in goal

Totally agree with the low crossing. But the main issue with me is the fouls being given for a clear challenge. So frustrating

a week in, this shall be interesting to hear your take

The bad only exists because all there focus is on gameplay. But I agree.. The gameplay is at a stage where focus should be moved onto presentation

This game is bad !!!!!! I played this to a point i hate this game !!!!!! Its like playing a lagging game. Bad cursor changing , Bad runs made by attacking players and lack sense of attacking mindset from players. The only reason now i feel why people always say PES is better than Fifa is because Fifa is infact much more better in terms of reaction and touches This game just suck honestly ive trying accept PES in fact i already played legend mode in master league but the game is just too frustrating!!!!!

The cons are absolutely spot on. The game is beautiful, realistic and a masterpiece waiting - once the AI is fixed! Messi, Neymar, Dybala etc being through on goal and turning round to play it out to the wing is just absolutely ridiculous. So so broken

Will you make any master league or become a Legend series in this channel?

The base of the gameplay is brilliant and the best PES there has ever been. But the A.I desperately needs sorting to stop the low crosses and no shooting outside the box

One of the best problems that you not mention is that you cant dribble players you cant cross them in front. you can only ran left or right to dribble them. But not 1vs1

The commentators from Argentina are way better this year! It surprises me they didn't do the same with English

Im so happy that they have less excessive replays than in 2018. That was so annoying. Commentating needs to get better. I can some things getting better through patches.

Great work mate, been thinkin about gettin this game lately and this helped out a lot :)

Thanks for you’re review mate! 👍🏻 haven’t had a PES since 17 which was bollocks and haven’t had a fifa since 15, obviously I work have family and married off so my playing days are almost numbered, but. I want another pop at a quality football game and I’m ummmming and arrrrring about which one to get, so thanks this has swayed me towards PES a little but like you said the A.I doing the same pattern is frigging annoying as hell, I noticed they do it even if it would be easier to cut inside and have a pop lol anyway cheers, big fan, keep them coming!

i was complaining playing on ps4 that the AI use A LOT of 1-2 passes infront of the box to run into the box all open... over and over again in my master league... u can see it in my videos... other than that they also - of course- abuse the flanks.. theres just not enough randomness in HOW the AI scores goals.... We still love PES!

very accurate review. i buy pes one to 2-3 years. that's the only way i can see a change.

The content is raining that is awesome. But here is the thing when is your master league series coming out?!

Why are there no injuries in master league - played lots of seasons without a single injury

Yep master league a bit of a frustrated.. worth waiting till the fixed these bugs, especially that low crossing :)

Great video once again TheTrueBrits. Best football game streamer by miles. This is really in-depth and I agree with most of your analysis.The low cross issues are nearly game-breaking, totally agree. You can almost sense them coming, always a one time shot to the far post with perfect power and precision, forward beats the defender to the ball every time. Hugely frustrating and it often involves a long string of undefendable one touch passes in the build-up. This type of perfect play should happen once every 5 games at most. Don't know if its quickly fixable though. Clearly a huge reworking of AI would be needed to give variety to attacks, emphasize playing through the middle, adding in long shots etc...

One con for me is in the major league, the other teams doesn't suffer the same penalty as you for fatigue. Which sucks but i will just have to manage my players better. I like the idea of it but the computer always starts a game with fresh players. While I'm having to not play players even goalies because the need rest or are just started the game with 3/4 the stamina.

What a great review bro!!! Congratulations!!!

After a couple of games on the demo, I would say the game is quiet enjoyable. But a big thing in difference wise with Fifa, is ball physics imo. For some reason, shots feel slow, dunno if some people felt that as well just like most of air balls. like crosses or L1 triangle. Players animations is miles ahead to fifa seriously.

I am really considering buying PES this year instead of Fifa, but one question: how is Konami with providing patches for PES? Do they come out with a patch regularly?

The default faces is why the community has guys like me making better faces but the edit mode is limited , i've tweeted Konami and Adam Bhatti about this numerous times and It's disappointing It's not been improved for 3 years now , improving the edit mode gives people like me more tools to create better faces and improves the visuals in game . PES edit mode is still way ahead of Fifa though but Fifa has better haircut choices not so detailed though .

what i dont like about this game is 1v1 situations , i find it hard to get past a defender by using skill moves, somehow they always adjust the distance to make it innefective. They rarely attack the ball decisive, all they do is walk bk.

There were times I got scored on cause the keeper don't come out outside 6 yards. Then I'll have situations where the low cross comes in and my teammate will just stand there and let the ball go in. The tactics seem broken to. Deep defensive line is supposed to prevent long balls over the top. But even when I set up deep defensive line. My CBS are high up field anyway and ball gets played over the top. My teammates seem to stand around and watch me rather then move off the ball and find space like they used to in previous pes titles. Another problem I have is I'll have 6 shots 6 on target no goals 60 percent possession playing against ai who has 1 shot 1 on target 1 goal 40 percent possession and the Ai wins and it means my keeper faced one shot and didn't save it. I play significantly better than the Ai and still lose. And the delay in passing and shooting is so frustrating. Aside from how it looks there's not much else good about it. It's a shame cause I really like the feel of pes. The fouls that never get called. They score on me after a clear foul to win the ball and it wasn't called and my players can't transition quick enough to defend a goal that was scored because of an obvious foul that didn't get called.

It's a shame that we don't get to see real manager faces and players on the bench. What I can say is that this game has more potentials than fifa but they're not working hard enough to convince people to buy the game.

I've managed to stop quite a few of those goals such as the one at 15:15 , I managed to control the player in the box to make him stand in the way of the ball / do a sliding tackle after positioning him in front of the receiver :) But yeah, they do abuse those crosses a lot

Will waiting for your review after a patch. Still haven’t bought it. I’m thinking.