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What a difference a year makes. After PES 2014 - enjoyed by faithful fans willing to overlook sluggish components - the series has returned to its roots after major improvements to passing, shooting and defending.
The core elements of the game have been fine-tuned to deliver what this title does best; recreating the balance and physicality of football. The game gives the user complete control over defensive decisions, over when to close down, tackle or retain shape.
The AI now constantly adjusts to the action - teammates offer options, find space and make intelligent runs - and the opposition reacts to events on the pitch when momentum shifts, attacking in numbers in search of an equaliser or playing deeper when leading. Players will also barge others off the ball and use their body to block rivals.
30 games released before ChristmasShow all 30 1 /3030 games released before Christmas 30 games released before Christmas Destiny The $500 million ‘shared-world shooter’ from Bungie has arrived. Release date: 9th September 2014
30 games released before Christmas Hyrule Warriors The first of a few big upcoming releases for the Wii U, Hyrule Warriors will see Link hack-and-slashing in Hyrule. Expect a closer likening to Dynasty Warriors rather than a typical Zelda game. Release date: 19th September 2014
30 games released before Christmas The Vanishing of Ethan Carter The open world adventure which follows a detective with paranormal powers used to solve crimes promises suspense, mystery - and gorgeous graphics. Release date: 25th September 2014
30 games released before Christmas FIFA 15 The best-selling sports video game franchise in the world is set to return with Lionel Messi as the cover star, all 20 Premier League stadiums and scarily lifelike players. Release date: 26th September 2014
30 games released before Christmas Forza Horizon 2 Exclusive to Xbox One and 360, racing fans will get to see the roads of southern Europe – with three times more driveable areas than the 2012 original. Release date: 3rd October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Super Smash Bros Coming first to the 3DS, players will be able to smash the shell out of Nintendo characters such as Yoshi, Link, Fox, Mario, Mega Man, Pac-Man, Pikachu, Fox, Peach and Donkey Kong. Release date: 3rd October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments The UK’s favourite detective takes a Dostoyevsky turn, as he must make moral choices when he finds the culprits. Release date: 3rd October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Alien: Isolation There’s no doubt about it, this looks really scary. Set in 2137, 15 years after the events of Alien and 42 years prior to Aliens, the game follows Amanda, who is investigating the disappearance of her mother Ellen Ripley. Release date: 7th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Project Spark For creative minds, Xbox's Project Spark offers players a blank canvas to draw on content to make events, games and music. Release date: 7th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas NBA 2K15 2K Sports aim to make their new basketball release more authentic than ever. With Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder as the cover star, Crew mode will be coming back, and MY League introduced. Release date: 7th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas NBA Live 15 Up against NBA 2K15 on the same day is this basketball title from EA Sports, who scanned 70% of NBA players for added realism. Release date: 7th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Driveclub Exclusive to PS4, this racing release will see top speeds and atmospheric conditions - plus PlayStation Plus subscribers will get a free version. Release date: 10th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Skylanders Trap Team The third release from the ridiculously popular-with-kids franchise will include traps where players can catch the bad guys and play as them. Release date: 10th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas The Evil Within In our preview, it’s been described as ‘a survival horror fan’s best worst nightmare’. Release date: 17th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! The third game in the Borderlands series, and a prequel to the 2012 game Borderlands 2, and will see new weapons such as anti-gravity, freeze, and oxygen tanks. Release date: 17th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas F1 2014 Based on the 2014 Formula One season, this racing game from Codemasters will feature the new Sochi Autodrom. Release date: 17th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes The other popular toys to life series will see superheroes join the team, including Spider-Man, Captain America and Iron Man. Release date: 18th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Fantasia: Music Evolved Based on the music from Walt Disney's 1940 animated film, your body will control the rhythm and sounds. Release date: 21st October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Bayonetta 2 The sequel to Nintendo's 2009 game sees Bayonetta battling the bad guys with smart combat and sharp graphics. Release date: 24th October 2014
30 games released before Christmas Sunset Overdrive The colourful comic style offering exclusive to Xbox One combines the feel of Sum 41/Tony Hawk with a random mix of mutants and energy drinks. Release date: 31st October, 2014
30 games released before Christmas WWE 2K15 Sting, Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin will appear in the next wrestling saga, which will next have story mode My Career. Release date: 31st October, 2014
30 games released before Christmas Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare The 11 year-old military first person shooter series is about to become more futuristic, with characters that look more realistic than ever - plus, Kevin Spacey stars as the bad guy. The downloadable content for will be released first on Xbox Live. Release date: 4th November 2014
30 games released before Christmas World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor The fifth expansion to MMORPG World of Warcraft will will raise the existing level cap from 90 to 100 and will introduce player-built, upgradeable garrisons - plus a tribute character to Robin Williams. Release date: 13th November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Halo: The Master Chief Collection Consisting of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4, this is obviously one for Halo super fans. Players will also get access to Halo 5: Guardians beta. Release date: 14th November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Assassin's Creed: Unity Set in Paris during the French Revolution, for the first time, four players can take on missions in multiplayer co-op, and there's also a new stealth option, which contrasts well with the fluid movement of the deadly Assassin. Release date: 15th November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Far Cry 4 Set in a region of the Himalayas, you get to ride on an elephant with weapons, and invite friends to join you to play via PlayStation Plus, even if they don't own the game. Release date: 18th November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Little Big Planet 3 Sackboy's got some new friends this time round in PlayStation's puzzle platformer, each with different skills opening up a range of different, and cute, challenges. Release date: 19th November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Dragon Age: Inquisition Bioware's RPG sequel to Dragon Age 2 will let players explore more than ever before - and there are several different major endings depending on your decisions in the game. Release date: 21st November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal The latest outing for everyone's favourite hedgehog sees the first released on the Wii U, and the second for the 3DS. The two games form the final part in Sega's partnership with Nintendo, following Sonic Lost World and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Release date: 21st November 2014
30 games released before Christmas Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire The 3DS remakes of the 2002 Game Boy Advance titles Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire will be a must-have for Pokefans. Release date: 28th November 2014
The return of the Stadium Editor and the implementation of rain are welcome after their bizarre absence last year. Transfers and team line-ups will be updated weekly, second tier leagues from England, Spain, Italy and France feature for the first time and the menu has been overhauled.
Next-gen versions will benefit from the FOX engine and feature enhanced player and crowd animations. The world's greatest players have been recreated faithfully to look, run and play like their real-life counterparts.
The likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be instantly recognisable via their playing and dribbling styles. Teams such as Bayern Munich press, defend and attack like they would in real life.
This edition marks a return to the unrestricted gameplay and complete control that fans of the series have longed for. Konami have delivered a responsive, fluid and balanced title which will satisfy gamers even in defeat. Weeks after the release of FIFA 15, gamers can finally experience the intensity of the world's favourite sport with PES 2015.
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