Pes 2012 - Pro Evolution Soccer -
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (PES 2012) is the eleventh entry in Konami's football simulation series, characterized by significant overhauls to artificial intelligence and player control. It features Cristiano Ronaldo on the cover and was released across various platforms including PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and mobile. Key Gameplay Mechanics
This flagship feature allowed players to control a second, off-the-ball player simultaneously using the right analog stick. This enabled complex set-piece routines, manual decoy runs, and better defensive positioning [source: Wikipedia].
The commercial reality was brutal. FIFA 12 sold worldwide in its first week alone. In the UK, EA claimed that FIFA 12 outsold PES 2012 by a staggering 25-to-1 margin . While Konami disputed the methodology, admitting "there's been a fair bit of manipulation of statistics to suit people," they conceded that "in the UK we've definitely lost ground". PES 2012 debuted at fifth in the UK charts—two spaces behind FIFA 12, which was then in its third week on sale. PES 2012 - Pro Evolution Soccer
Looking back in 2025, PES 2012 occupies a strange nostalgia zone. It came right after FIFA 12 (which is often called the best FIFA ever) and right before the disastrous PES 2014 (which used the flawed Fox Engine and stripped half the features).
for mastering the Teammate Control system. What is your favorite memory of playing PES 2012? Share public link Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (PES 2012) is the
For many players, the licensing deficit was a dealbreaker. But for the dedicated PC community, it was an invitation to mod the game into something glorious.
: Goalkeepers received more reliable animations, while referee AI was updated to better implement the advantage rule. Core Game Modes (Football Life) This enabled complex set-piece routines, manual decoy runs,
The umbrella also introduced Club Boss , a new boardroom-based mode that focused on the financial and managerial aspects of running a club. While interesting as a concept, many critics found it "dry" and lacking depth compared to dedicated management simulations. NeoSeeker described it as "a sped-up version of Football Manager, over which you have little control over the outcome".
Critics generally praised PES 2012 for its fast-paced, "attack-oriented" gameplay, though opinions on its realism were mixed.
This mode allowed gamers to create a single player and guide them from a raw teenager to a world-class superstar. The mode featured realistic training regimes, agent interactions, and the constant battle to secure a spot in the starting eleven or earn a national team call-up. Exclusive Licenses
This philosophy was driven by the game’s headline feature: . According to producer Shingo "Seabass" Takatsuka, the goal was to make the game reflect the intelligence of professional footballers. No longer were attacking players drawn helplessly toward the ball. Instead, they made intelligent runs, dragging defenders out of position and creating space. This allowed skilled players to execute intricate passing triangles and devastating dummy runs. Whether you were playing with a powerhouse like Cristiano Ronaldo or the silky dribbling of Messi, the AI ensured that your team moved cohesively, making the game feel fluid and unpredictable.