Pro Evolution Soccer 2017

PES 2017 is a remarkably good soccer sim on the pitch—so good that it makes up for the bulk of its shortcomings elsewhere. There's no denying that it's a niche sim with a high barrier to entry; but if realistic gameplay is your number one priority, then PES 2017 comes highly recommended.

If you’re willing to overlook the lack of official licensing and entry level mode diversity, then the act of playing football in PES 2017 can’t be matched. From responsive goalkeepers who each have play-styles tailored to their real life counterparts to the way atmosphere are brought to life by the dense crowds that fill up the Camp Nou, the experience of playing PES 2017 is as perfect as a football can be. It’s sadly everything around that experience that drags PES down.

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.