The Gameplay
FIFA offers an arcade-line experience, similar to old school video games. PES is more realistic, but that also means more difficult.
Sure, FIFA offers a decent dose of realism as well, but it can’t compare to PES. When playing PES, it nearly feels like watching a real life game. The ball, the movement, the running, everything screams realism.
That’s because PES has successfully implemented real world physics. FIFA has a bigger player base, including many casual players. They don’t necessarily have the patience to discover sophisticated physics, hence the arcade experience.
FIFA is definitely easier and more suitable for everyone. PES is for those who can put some time in. As you immerse into both games, you’ll spot the differences right away.
It’s hard to determine a clear winner in terms of gameplay because, at the end of the day, it’s only a matter of personal preferences. If you want an easy gameplay, go for FIFA. If you want to invest time and appreciate the realistic experience, go for PES.
FIFA’s gameplay hasn’t changed a lot since its old school versions, back in the 1990s or even early 2000s, many of these versions available over RomsPedia, an online platform that serves as a large encyclopedia for ROMs and ISOs.
The Graphics
Graphics can also be considered a matter of personal preferences. At first, FIFA looked like the clear winner. It’s more popular and developers obviously have a higher budget to invest. But the truth is graphics require more than that.
For instance, FIFA offers realistic clothing. The hair looks natural, and the animations are pretty smooth as well. It’s mainly about small details, which add to the overall experience. However, FIFA has always had a bad reputation for the actual faces. That’s where PES comes in.
Faces in PES are more authentic, but they also look good and close to the actual players.
Another small detail to consider is the grass. PES has more vibrant graphics when it comes to the field. Indeed, it’s not the most important thing in the world, but then again, it adds to the overall realistic experience.
Overall, FIFA impresses with detailed clothing and animations, but PES wins in authenticity with better player faces and vibrant graphics.