Fifa 2011 vs Pro Evolution 2011
- Release dates: Both on October 2010
- Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PSP, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows, Mobile Phone, iPhone OS
In a competition that has gone on for almost a decade, Pro Evolution and FIFA are still locking horns to take the number one spot. In this guide, we will explore who has the edge in the 2011 version.
Release Date
FIFA has always had the upper hand on the date of release because their game comes out earlier in the calendar year. FIFA usually releases their games right at the end of September or at the beginning of October, while Pro Evolution favours a middle/late October date. FIFA 11 was released on the 28th September 2010, and Pro Evolution came out on the 20th October 2010.
Winner
FIFA - Simple rules dictate that the game that is released earlier wins.
SCORE: 1 - 0 FIFA
Upgrades
FIFA 11
FIFA 2011 has incorporated plenty of Upgrades since their last version, most notably the career mode which allows you to be a player manager. This introduction has proven popular among fans of the FIFA manager series, which has in turn boosted sales. Other improvements include:
- Pro Passing and 360 degree dribbling - The passing and dribbling features have been improved to allow for more user control. This has made the game much less generic.
- Creation Centre - The introduction of an editor centre, which many fans believe has been long overdue.
- Goalkeeper Intelligence - The goalkeepers now have more intelligent movement. This means that slotting a shot into the bottom corner is no longer as easy as it once may have been.
- Be A Goalkeeper - FIFA has introduced this feature so that you can play as your goalkeeper.
When you look at the implementations that the FIFA 11 has made, it is not hard to see why regular FIFA players are more than happy with the progression. The introduction of a creation centre and the career mode has been especially popular among the fans.
Pro Evo 11
From the very first rumour, we knew that Pro Evo 11 would focus on upgrading Pro Evo 10. Unfortunately, Pro Evo 10 was a bit of a disappointment when it came to progression; therefore, everybody expected that the developers at Konami would 'up their game,' and this is exactly what they have done.
Some of the developments include:
- More accurate fitness levels - Now, instead of just affecting pace, lower fitness levels will also affect speed and shot/pass power.
- More realistic Defender AI - When the computer is controlling a defender, they are now much more intelligent. Previous to Pro Evo 11, some defenders would chase down a ball knowing that the chance of them getting to it was limited, leaving an open gap for the attack to exploit; this problem has since been eliminated.
- Stadium Editor - Pro Evo 11 has introduced a detailed stadium editor, to add to its rather large game editor already in place.
On top of these developments, Konami had also added; advanced goal-keeping skills, drag and drop tactics, developments to the editor, increased 'natural' player movement and by far the biggest development, which is the online master league. This feature has fused two of Pro Evolutions most successful features, playing online and the master league to offer players the chance to test their master league abilities against other players.
Pro Evo 11 has improved significantly from the 2010 version, and has also kept all the same features, which made the game successful initially.
Winner
Pro Evolution - The introduction of the online master league has propelled Pro Evolution 11 in front of FIFA in terms of upgrades. Both games have implemented more realistic player movements, and even FIFA fans will tell you that they are extremely impressed with what Pro Evolution 11 has managed to do, and that is some accolade considering their rather harsh rivalry!
Graphics
FIFA
The graphical developments that have taken place from FIFA 10 to 11 are not noticeable at first to the untrained eye. However, on closer inspection, you will be able to see that there have been various improvements to the 'up close' details. For example, for the first time on FIFA 11 you will notice that different players have diverse facial expressions when an incident has taken place; this means that one player may look concerned while the other will look angry.
Pro Evolution 11
If you sat down and looked at Pro Evo 10 compared to 11 in terms of graphics and details you would be able to see the scale of work that has been implemented. Player movements are much slicker, and the ball movement is also much more realistic when compared to Pro Evolution 10. Furthermore, there has been a lot of work to the up close expressions.
Winner
FIFA - While Pro Evolution 11 has clearly worked on their interface, FIFA still has the upper hand. If the Pro Evolution series continues to put the same amount of effort into graphical development every year, then it will not be long before the baton is passed over, but for now FIFA is holding a handy 1-0 lead in this category.
Editor
FIFA
For the first time, it looks like FIFA has put in a decent amount of work on an editor system. The creation centre is FIFA's new web based application, which allows the user to update and create teams, kits and players. Players can also share all of their 'work' with their friends. Furthermore, you have the option to create players and squads on the console (without the need to go online to the creation centre).
Pro Evolution
Everybody knows that the Pro Evolution series has always had the upper hand on FIFA when it comes to editing. Pro Evolution 11 saw the introduction of the stadium editor, which allows users to edit every last detail of the stadium, and save it on their console for future use. On top of this, there have been minor developments to the way you can edit players, teams, badges and kits.
Winner
Pro Evolution - Pro evolution will continue to focus a lot of its effort on its editor because they struggle to get official licensing; therefore, need to give the player the option of creating their own teams. Some people think this is great because they can put their own spin on the game, while others cannot be bothered. However, with all this being said, the Pro Evo editor is much better than FIFA's attempt.
Playability
FIFA
FIFA continues to have the same licensing which allows you to play anything from the German to the Irish league. Furthermore, the addition of career mode has made the game much more playable. FIFA has also kept their; exhibition, training and Be a Pro mode which will keep even the most hyperactive of players interested.
Pro Evolution 11
There have been more introductions to Pro Evolution 11 in terms of numbers, but only the online master league has really made any major strides in terms of playability. The development of the online master league has added some needed competition to Pro Evolutions online Gameplay, which has made it more playable. In addition to the master league, existing players will now find a fully licensed Copa Libertadores and UEFA super cup.
Winner
Split - The only fair way to settle this one is to give the points to both games. In terms of in game playability FIFA is a clear winner, but when you take into account little niggly bits like editors and the online master league Pro Evolution would have to take the spoils. If you are using this as the main focus to buy the game then ask yourself this question; how much control do I want over the game? If your answer is that you just want to get on and play then FIFA is the clear winner, if your answer is lots then Pro Evolution will be the game for you.
Soundtracks
FIFA
The soundtracks on FIFA have always been one of their stronger points. FIFA has recognisable artists queuing up to have their track on the game because it sells millions of copies and this is great exposure. On the other hand, you could argue that the FIFA soundtracks are getting worse every year. FIFA 06 boasted artists like, Oasis and Paul Oakenfold while FIFA 11's biggest artists are the Gorillaz and Mark Ronson.
Pro Evolution
Pro Evolution has been known for its upbeat techno songs, which are always in keeping with the game. Their downfall comes with recognisable artists, of which Pro Evolution has little to boast about. The biggest artists on Pro Evolution are Keane and Vampire Weekend, but past this, 90% of the tracks are by unrecognised international artists.
Winners
FIFA - While FIFA appears to be losing ground on the soundtracks, Pro Evo is just doing exactly the same. FIFA is still miles clear in this department, but, at the end of the day, how many people buy a football game to listen to the music?
Licensing
Winners
FIFA - Unfortunately, (for Pro Evolution 11) little headway has been made in the licensing section. Until the day Pro Evolution fans do not have to worry about naming rights, stadiums and international players, FIFA will continue to win this category without issue. FIFA 11 continues to offer full licensing on more teams than Pro Evolution could even dream about.
Commentary
FIFA
FIFA continues to have some of the best commentators working under their name. In FIFA 11 we see the regulars Martin Tyler and Andy Gray return to the commentary team. Not only are the commentators of an impeccable standard, all the game has been correctly coded to ensure that their phrases are said at the right time, which requires extensive testing.
Pro Evolution
On the other hand, commentary is not a point that Konami would like you to focus on. Over recent years, it has been slated for being predictable and containing too many errors. Pro Evolution 11 is no different, and, even though there has been a change to the line-up (Jon Champion has replaced Alan Hansen), this has done little to stop the criticism. The developers at Konami have been made aware of the problems; if you listen hard enough you can still find errors in the game.
Winner
FIFA - Without a doubt, FIFA will continue to win this category for years to come unless Pro Evolution makes some drastic changes.
Value for Money
FIFA
After the initial release at 'maximum price' of £35-£40, FIFA does drop down in price as demand lowers, but not at the rate many believe to be fair. On the other hand, shops will only ever drop the price as game sales lower, and as FIFA 11 sells more games than Pro Evolution 11 it is more expensive all year round.
Pro Evolution
Pro Evolution Soccer 11 was released at prices from £30 to £40 and has dropped down to about £20 (in the majority of stores) from the beginning of April 2011.
Winner
Pro Evolution - When you take everything into account (in terms of longevity and playability) there is little difference between FIFA 11 and Pro Evolution 11. Therefore, this section has to be decided on the actual price of the game, and as mentioned above, Pro Evolution 11 started off less expensive and continues to drop its price more often than FIFA 11.
Sales
FIFA
The sales figures for FIFA 11 line up like this;
- PS3 - 4.15 Million
- X Box - 3.09 Million
- PSP - 600 Thousand
TOTAL - 7.84 Million worldwide copies sold as of the beginning of April 2011.
Pro Evolution 2011
- PS3 - 2.04 Million
- PC - 50 Thousand
- X Box - 500 Thousand
- Wii - 150 Thousand
- PS2 - 90 Thousand
TOTAL - 2.83 Million worldwide copies sold as of the beginning of April 2011.
Winner
FIFA - FIFA 11 wins this category hands down. However, there is a lot of debate among Pro Evo and FIFA fans about the amount of casual gamers that FIFA boasts. Pro Evo 11 fans will tell you that ¾ of the people that play FIFA buy it either receive it as a gift or stop playing it after a few weeks, whereas Pro Evolution 11 players will continue to use their game until the next version comes out. This rumour may be true, but the team at FIFA will not mind.
FIFA continues to dominate this category for several reasons. First, it continues to pump large sums of money into advertisement, which will always appeal to the mainstream. Second, FIFA has a long standing reputation, and if you asked first time football simulation gamers which one they would prefer, then FIFA would come out on top in the majority of cases.
Summary
Well there is only one winner here and that is FIFA. FIFA has come out of a thrilling game 6-4 to take the spoils. However, for many this decision is personal and the best way to decide which one you prefer is to play them both, watch segments of Gameplay or download their demos to get a feel of each game. One thing is for sure, when you take everything into account, both games clearly lead the way when it comes to football simulations, and they will continue to do so for years to come.
Read more about Fifa 2011 or Pro Evolution 2011.
If you enjoy playing the Fifa and Pro Evolution games you may also like to play the highly rated free online multiplayer football game - Kickabout League where you can play against real opponents in global tournaments and matches.
