With smarter AI opposition and an altogether smoother online experience, is close to the complete package. FIFA's new story mode might be the most headline-grabbing feature of either game this year, but it's clear Konami is in no mood to relinquish its title as king of the virtual pitch.

When Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 was released this time last year it quickly dawned upon those who played both games that this was the year PES and FIFA were closest in quality after years of FIFA ruling the roost.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 : Okay let's kick this off. Pro Evo was published and distributed by Konami. Seriously if you don't know anything about Konami, then I am unsure why you are reading anything gaming-related unless you are new to this whole gaming scene.

A long-overdue return to form that finally surpasses Pro Evo's PS2 glory days – and, assuming presentation woes are fixed, lays the foundations for an all-new footballing empire.

Looks and feels like the real thing, Master League is back to its best, Keepers are improved; Hallelujah! Better than its PS2 days,

Slapdash presentation; The everlasting (but fixable) kits headache

How time flies, it's already been a year since PES 2016 which I found to be the best PES in years, closing in on FIFA's crown. Could this be the year that Konami's football series finally accomplishes that?

Pro Evolution Soccer remains some sort of meta commentary on the commercialisation of football. It's the official UEFA game (it has the music off the telly and everything) yet, as usual, there is a bizarre mixture of real and very much made-up team names.

What is it about football games While fans of other genres can expect not just consistent output but steady improvement from their favourite series, those of us to whom pressing X means pass rather than jump have long known it's best to approach our major releases with trepidation.

The latest annual release for the Pro Evolution Soccer is here with PES 2017 . Since its introduction to the series on new-gen with the 2014 instalment, the Fox Engine has been pivotal in going from strength to strength and PES 2017 is no exception.

Back to its glory heyday of sublime gameplay; Goalkeepers are actually much improved this time; Some truly uncanny likenesses; Less clutter and better presented menus; MyClub is been simplified for the better

Lack of licenses again; but there is a superb work around (in review; Not so great commentary (again

"Absolutely nails the core gameplay."

Right off the bat, the strength of this title is the depth and technicality of the options available. From creating a club and managing it, to just starting a simple exhibition match.