Tips to succeed in Pro Evolution Soccer 2015

Pro Evolution Soccer is out and is receiving brilliant responses from all over the world. What seems to be a major upgrade from PES 2014, PES 2015 has a lot of new features. There have been significant changes in the graphics, gameplay and there is a whole-new atmosphere which brings in a lot realism to the game. The game does not seem to disappoint at all and is a good package overall. Might just be above expectations for PES lovers as well. Here we have the 7 tips that can help you succeed in the all-new setup of the game. We hope they can help you master Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 fairly well.

#1 Get Your Tactics Right

Konami has come up with its deepest football game ever in PES 2015. The game is loaded with detailed tactics, formations and player roles, all incorporated superbly into the newer, more balanced gameplay. The slick interface is retained but everything around it has completely changed.

The inclusion of a brand new feature, Fluid Formation has completely transformed the tactical side of PES. It gives you unlimited tactical options and games are more about winning the tactical battle over 90 minutes rather than anything else. Teams can be set out with 9 different formations, tactics and roles per game with each team having detailed settings for style of play for when in possession, when without the ball and even if you go a goal up or goal down. If you want to improve your game, this is an area you must concentrate at.

Learn how to set up your team by either man marking and nullifying key players or double up on whichever flank you’re struggling to defend. Two extremely good options are to put your defensive midfielder man marking a striker or attacking midfielder throughout the whole game and for your wingers to switch sides every couple of attacks.

With the all-new detailed tactics, PES has rewarded players who think like footballers. If you are one of those, this is a game you must own.

#2 Save Energy, Sprint Wisely

The game has come a long way from jamming the sprint button to help your cause. Unless you played the series back in the glory days of PES 4 & 5, chances are every football game you’ve played has been dominated by unrealistic speed and acceleration. Year after year, PES games have suffered from almost superhuman stamina issues. This time around, things seem to be different.

With the totally revamped in-game features, stamina is something which can bother you if you’re not careful enough. Don’t go near the sprint button unless absolutely necessary. Similar to slide tackling, sprinting around the place will yield the worst possible results on the pitch. Conserve energy and work the ball. Don’t chase it unless pressuring an opponent, if it opens up and wait for a chance to present itself before turning on the speeders. Remember, it only takes a few seconds to score and by managing energy, the chances of scoring in the last ten minutes are massively increased.

So, if you want to succeed in PES 2015, you need to condition yourself and learn to play football games properly again.

#3 Be a Pass Master

The passing in PES 2015 is at a different level. The area has been significantly improved and holds the key for the team’s performace. Play-makers can now simply dictate the entire game. This is where you can easily dominate lesser players who want to go all out attack in every game. Aim to control the midfield battles by slowly bringing players into the game. Use long range passing to spread the ball to the wide players and switch across the pitch when being closed down.

When playing your first few games, work the pitch and try to maintain your passing accuracy somewhere between 75% to 60%. If you see an opening, go direct as possible but bide your time and wait for that said opening. Avoid un-necessary blind passes. Instead, try to pass and move. Utilize the capabilities of play-makers to deliver through-balls and initiate counters. Learn when to blind pass, when to hold the ball and when to roam forward and pile on the pressure but if you want to accelerate the process and score more goals along the way, intricate one-twos and passing triangles are the way to go.

The game is really about holding possession while being much more than just that. The idea is simple. Opponents can’t score against you if they don’t have the ball.

#4 Practice Set-Pieces

Set-pieces are very important in determining the fate of a match. If you can make the most out of dead-ball situations, there aren’t many things you need to worry about. However, majority of players simply skip the learning process of set-pieces and forget about practising them in the training grounds. Free kicks are quite easy in PES 2015 but mastering them to raise your game and consistently beat the keeper is a different matter.

Put the time into finding the sweet spot on the power bar and practising for a few minutes every day. At first, aim to at least hit the target, then to work the keeper and then challenge yourself to score at least 1 out of 3. Penalties need practice too but are much easier and corners only work well if you have tall players obviously. To mix it up, go short on some corners and then aim for the near post for others. Keep your opponent guessing.

#5 Shoot on Sight

PES 2015 is a return to the wonderful days when the franchise used to nail the gaming experience in terms of the basics. Passing is the best ever seen in a video game, the pace of the game is perfect and defending is finely balanced but it’s the games shooting that really shines.

30 metre rockets are back in a big way and long range shooters like Gerrard, Vidal and Ronaldo can rattle the net if given a fraction of time to unload a shot. The main thing to remember in PES is to literally shoot on sight. Some players hold onto the ball far too long with every team on every attack, time and time again. That might not be as helpful this time.

The shooting is crisp and sharp and there are infinite ways to score. Finesse shots take practice and have more to do with body positioning than actual power or placement but if you master them, you can practically test the keeper with every attack. Just shoot as much as you can when you get a bit of space and work the statistics. When you play with more deadly strikers, goals will flow.

#6 Contain to Death

Defending has been a lost art in recent years, both in real life football and its gaming counterpart. There have never been more goals scored in the opening of a Premier League campaign, the World Cup broke goal records and the Champions League is also all about the strikers as well. With FIFA 15 suffering from the worst defensive gameplay in the series history, PES 2015 simply shines in comparison.

The key is to contain opponents and get the ball. While containing opponents, attempt to push players away from goal and towards the wings. Sending a second player to pressure by holding X (xbox) or square (PS4) is also extremely valuable. Most importantly, don’t commit to every tackle. Wait for the opponent’s mistake or force him into one. Concentrate on positioning rather than winning the ball back. This will frustrate opponents and in turn, they will play silly passes which you can easily intercept. Stand players up, jockey and only attempt a slide tackle if absolutely needed. Master defending and half of your job is done.

#7 Form a balanced squad

As mentioned earlier, PES 2015 is a gift for players with a footballer’s brain.

Looping through balls to fast strikers might work for a game or two but when facing a good opponent, you’ll be reduced to being made look like a chump. Formations play a key role when determining what kind of play style works for you and the only way to figure this out is through trial and error but you can give yourself a head start by building an all around balanced team.

The most important position on the field in PES 2015 is a holding midfielder. One deep sitting play-maker can link the whole team and keeps everything ticking over when on or off the ball. This is especially important when starting a master league career or setting up your myClub squad. A tall goalkeeper is a must, one strong centre half to complement a sweeper style partner and two wide players who have a bit of pace will let you challenge nearly any team.

Add a decent all around striker who can win a header as easily as control a finely pinged ball to feet and the goals will rack up. Basically, find a formation that suits and simply upgrade each position one at a time starting with the spine of the team. Avoid filling your team with pure speed, and look for a balanced squad more than anything else.