Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. today announced they will release PES 2018, the latest edition of its highly regarded football series, on September 14, 2017, pledging the new game will aim high and will unveil a wide-range of improvements to an already award-winning series.

Having established the PES series as the most realistic and intuitive football title for home systems, KONAMI has set its stall early with an extensive range of new elements that build upon the previously laid foundations. Centred on the concept that PES 2018 is “Where Legends are Made”, the new game hits the floor running with new features, new ways to play, a PC version to the standard of the leading console iterations, and an unrivalled gameplay experience.

PES 2018 features more new additions than any other PES title in the last 10 years, and no part of the game has been left untouched. At its heart remains the famed gameplay where users enjoy complete control over the on-field action, using players that behave, move and react just like their real-life counterparts. New additions to the control systems add more fluidity to the game, while a new user interface makes accessing the many facets of PES 2018 a simpler process.

Control is everything in a football game, and PES 2018 retains the immediacy and total control the series is famed for alongside new refinements that hone its authenticity. Matches are played at a more realistic pace, while a new strategic dribbling system offers greater close control, including contextual shielding to protect the ball. Similarly, simple movements of the control stick can be used to initiate shimmies designed to wrong-foot defenders. KONAMI has also implemented a REAL Touch + process, wherein players will react to receiving a ball using permissible parts of the body, such as chest, head and legs to bring a pass under control dependent on the height and pace of the incoming ball. All set piece routines have also been totally reworked, notably the way penalty kicks are taken and a one-player kick off routine as well.

PES 2018’s visual acuity has also improved. A new REAL Capture system provides true-to-life lighting across day and night games, while over 20,000 components have been faithfully recreated to recreate the turf, tunnels, and the surrounding areas of stadia such as Camp Nou and Signal Iduna Park. The individuality of how players move, shape to shoot and make passes is also closer to real life, with KONAMI motion-capturing players within realistic environments in a complete overhaul of the in-game animation system. Core movements such as walking, turning, and posture have been reworked also, while the player models now have greater variety, with attention paid to the way kits fit differing physiques. KONAMI’s agreements with partner teams will also see tattoos recreated on players as well.

With the renowned gameplay and visuals upped in every respect, PES 2018 also allows more ways for people to enjoy the match day experience. Full 11-v-11 online options and the eternally popular myClub challenge where players build a team from scratch, are joined by co-operative 2-v-2 and 3-v-3 modes with support for local guests. The much-requested ‘Random Selection’ match returns with all new content, while the Master League implements pre-season tournaments, a new transfer system and pre-match interviews and an insight to the changing rooms.

The continuing success of the PES series as an eSport staple has also been reflected with the PES LEAGUE fully integrated into the main game. With 16 of the world’s greatest PES players set to gather ahead of June’s UEFA Champions League final to compete for a $200,000 prize, PES 2018 will allow for easy entry to next year’s competition, and add related PES LEAGUE modes surrounding myClub, Online Co-Operative matches and the Random Selection matches.

PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox360. The game will also be available via Steam in a version that has undergone substantial improvements in terms of aesthetics and content, ensuring the game enjoys parity with the current gen formats.

For more information, please visit: https://www.konami.com/wepes/2018/

To view the new teaser trailer, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVrW0Azrcn4