First Look: Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 Trailer and Screenshots

As the new European soccer season kicks off, soccer fans can also look towards new releases of the Pro Evolution Soccer and EA Sports FIFA video game series. After a few good looks at FIFA 12 (see our Video Games section for more), we now have details and the official trailer for Pro Evolution Soccer 2012.

According to game manufacturer Konami:

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced its eagerly-awaited Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 title will be released in the Americas on September 27 for PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® and Windows PC. Release dates for Wii, PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 will be released in the future.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 goes further in giving the user total control than any other football title, offering AI innovations and gameplay additions that cover every aspect of real football. Central to Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is the all-new Active AI system which ensures that teammates work to close down space, defend zonally and hold their line to minimize attacking options. As such, on defense their teammates will look to hold the defensive line and mark oncoming offensive support. Conversely on offense, when attacking, the player will see that their teammates will make dummy runs, draw defenders, and work to give the player more options in attack.

The emphasis on the team as a unit is demonstrated with Pro Evolution Soccer 2012’s ground-breaking Teammate Control system — a truly unique addition which allows the user to control two players at once, prompting runs or drawing defenders with one, while the other holds the ball up. Teammate Control works in two ways; with users pressing the right analogue stick in the direction of the player they wish to control. Support play is offered in assisted mode wherein users prompt a second player to make a timed run to cut inside or receive a ball, while total control is afforded by the fully Manual mode which gives the user complete freedom of movement of the second player.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is full of new gameplay additions. Animation has been enhanced, while the overall presentation has also been refined. Managers can now be seen wandering the sideline, while the general atmosphere of a big-match day has been faithfully recreated. Gameplay, shooting movement and reactions are also improved and control is no longer totally lost when losing possession of the ball. The game features a return to the classic ‘behind player’ penalty system, and one-on-one situations offer greater control as defenders press and jostle to win the ball, and attackers use upper body feints and movements to bypass and wrong-foot their man.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 also continues KONAMI’s exclusive partnership with UEFA that sees the Pro Evolution Soccer series as the exclusive home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup licenses. In addition, KONAMI also has the Copa Santander Libertadores license. Attention to detail within these key tournaments has been extended to the match officials, and Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 will see referees and their assistants dressed in the official kits of the competitions.

Check out our Video Games section for more on EA Sports FIFA 12 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2012.