We’ve been known to spend our Septembers saving up to purchase the new Fifa game, as well as the new Pro Evolution Soccer game, to keep us entertained for the long winter ahead.
But times are tough and it’s looking like we may have to choose just the one this year so a number of considerations must be made.
Evocative trailers for both Fifa 16 and PES 2016 were released today and we’ve decided to rank them out of ten in a number of categories to make sure we don’t make a grave error when push comes to shove and our Laser card has to be produced.
https://youtu.be/AfeDwkIaHNY
Music
Fifa 16: It was a brave move to go down the Etta James route but, my God, did it pay off as the EA Sports boffins play on the football fix that we’ve all been craving after a long summer without competitive football. 9/10
PES 2016: Joywave’s Somebody New is a nice little ditty and builds to an appropriate crescendo but going for the indie rock option is always the safer path and we reward bravery here at SportsJOE. 7/10
Tekkers showcased
Fifa 16: The Fifa village is reasonably skillage-less as there is no more than the odd dummy and feint to get excited about which is a little bit disappointing considering the fact that we’re prone to a Marseille Turn or 8 over 90 minutes. 6/10
PES 2016: PES have set their stall out brilliantly in the tekkers market as we get some Neymar flicks and some Robben tricks to keep us intrigued. 8/10
Goals scored
Fifa 16: EA Sports decided to focus on a lot of first time goals with a bicycle kick, scissors kick and a few headers home making the final cut. The all-important last goal of the clip is left to Lionel Messi who jinks onto his left foot before rocketing a shot into the back of the net but we think the ‘keeper could have done better. 7/10
PES 2016: If an outside-of-the-box Mexes volley is involved, then we’re fans. The overhead kick in the PES trailer was set up with a rabona cross which could make all the difference and we feel that Alvaro Morata’s curling goal to see out the ad is better than Messi’s so PES gets the nod here. 8/10
Celebrations
Fifa 16: Fifa didn’t dwell too much on celebrations, only offering us glimpses of a Cech fist pump, a few congratulatory embraces and a slow-motion Messi. Leaves a lot to be desired. 6/10
PES 2016: PES clearly value goal celebrations a bit more, dedicating scenes of some funky dancing to go along with a Juventus team celebration and Iniesta reveling atop an advertising hoarding which gives them the edge. 7/10
Superstars on display
Fifa 16: Pirlo and Zlatan in the opening seconds can make all the difference and the fact that the “main” player in the trailer is Lionel Messi says it all. 9/10
PES 2016: Listen, we like Morata as much as the next guy but should he be the primary focus of your video game trailer? No, no he shouldn’t. Sure we get a look at Neymar and Pogba but the fact that it’s missing some of the best players in the world in Ronaldo and Messi simply isn’t good enough. 7/10
Graphics
Fifa 16: In recent years, EA Sports has taken the driving seat in this category and, by the looks of it, Fifa 16 is no exception. The players look more lifelike and the movement appears more realistic. 9/10
PES 2016: While the gameplay looks quite good, PES continues to look just a little bit cartoony at times. It’s definitely getting better but remains in second place. 8/10
Overall emotional impact
Fifa 16: The theme of “thank God that football is back,” is a rousing one and there’s nothing like a bit of Martin Tyler commentary to get you in the mood for a few hours of career mode. The beautiful shots of empty stadiums to open the trailer do no harm whatsover either. 9/10
PES 2016: It’s a good effort from Konami but the PES 2016 trailer does come off a little bit generic. You’ve got the indie rock anthem that builds to a beautiful goal but we’ve seen it all before. It doesn’t grab us. 7/10
Final Scores
Fifa 16: 55/70
PES 2016: 52/70
We’ll still probably end up buying both, mind.
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