The AI squeezes space out of the pitch more aggressively, actively trying to win the ball back just as you build rhythm. Mistakes are far more common because of this. Possession doesn't easily snap together, and you're forced to work harder to maintain control. You'll know straight away when you've made a dud lay-off or overhit a simple pass because the ball reacts properly. There's a weighty response to each pass that just makes sense if you've ever played football. The most immediately noticeable upgrade is the physical feel of the ball. To the naked eye, you'd think PES 2019 was the same game sporting graphical enhancements and new skill moves, but subtle tweaks have a major impact. PES 2018 capitalised on the solid base built across years of reworking the series after a dire run on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Last year's game tasked players with learning a more intricate style, one that favoured intelligent shifts of momentum over holding sprint and relying on breakneck speed.
