The PES 2019 demo is out now
Give Konami’s latest offering a playtest ahead of its release date on August 30
PES has been forced to watch on solemnly from the sidelines while FIFA has hoovered up the hype for years now, but the loveable console classic still retains healthy core support.
Its long-time fans insist that the gameplay – particularly, its passing – is superior, and PES 2019 will feature a number of improvements and features which aim to keep that reputation alive.
They include Visible Fatigue, which impacts performance and behaviour; new shooting mechanics; and improved ball physics. Meanwhile, ‘Enlighten’ software (nope, us neither) will help offer true-to-life visual effects and, for the first time, it’ll be 4K HDR across all platforms.
Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho is the cover star this year (but a a special David Beckham edition will be available too), while Celtic and Rangers have both been announced as partner clubs. The Turkish Super Lig has been added to its list of fully licensed leagues.
The demo will allow for exhibition matches, offline co-op mode and an online quick match in one of two stadiums – Barcelona’s Camp Nou or Schalke’s Veltins-Arena. Twelve teams will be available to use, including Liverpool, Barcelona and Inter Milan, plus national sides Argentina and France.
PES 2019 will be released on August 30 across PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC via Steam.
New features you'd love on FourFourTwo.com
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Joe was the Deputy Editor at FourFourTwo until 2022, having risen through the FFT academy and been on the brand since 2013 in various capacities.
By weekend and frustrating midweek night he is a Leicester City fan, and in 2020 co-wrote the autobiography of former Foxes winger Matt Piper – subsequently listed for both the Telegraph and William Hill Sports Book of the Year awards.