With smarter AI opposition and an altogether smoother online experience, PES 2017 is close to the complete package. FIFA’s new story mode might be the most headline-grabbing feature of either game this year, but it’s clear Konami is in no mood to relinquish its title as king of the virtual pitch.

PES 2017 greatly improves gameplay, tactics and match simulation and variety resulting in an unrivaled on the field play experience. It's still got to get rid of some old habits mainly in the licenses and player behaviour reproduction, but it's undoubtedly shining anew.

PES 2017 is in many way the game that PES 2016 should have been. It shares the same deep mechanics, but the AI – especially the goalies – is so much better. PES 2017 may be a let down for those who want as many licenses as possible, for everyone else this is one of the best soccer games ever.

An undeniable improvement over last year's iteration, PES 2017 looks and feels amazing, but the ever-growing licensing problem is reaching a point in which it disrupts immersion and some gameplay elements such as transfers an auction tools in myClub. On top of that, there's little innovation when it comes to game modes and the online front remains uninspired and stale.

Absolutely nails the core gameplay.

A solid title that is as entertaining as it is satisfying to play.

Fans of the series will feel rewarded for playing this years incarnation and the addition of an official, competitive league is a positive step towards the ever increasing eSports future we live in. It's fun to play, and it's so slick you'd fall over if you stepped on it...But the overall experience is still lacking, and that's down to licensing.