I think we must remember that this is a demo, an early offering of what the game will be like upon release - most importantly NOT THE FINISHED ARTICLE. This can be confirmed if you closely inspect the details - Firstly player stats are exactly the same as PES 6 and secondly player numbers are random e.g. ronaldinho is #16.
So far we've been presented with fresh, slick 'razzle dazzle' action, thanks largely to the improved AI. I was pleased to see that pressing Y for thru-ball does not also instruct the opposing defender that he must stand still for 2 seconds or run forward rather than track the man whilst the striker ran thru happy as larry (in reference to PES6). But this is not entirely fair as the last edition was obviously slapped togheter in a hurry.
One thing i would definitley like to see is improved/revised player stats as mentioned above. I only have to say Adriano to a pro evo lover and it provokes fits of rage. I myself am an Arsenal fan (thanks for boo'ing) and watched Adriano like a hawk in the pre season emirates cup. The Man is a brazilian Heskey, he can play football but reluctant to give him that. Furthermore being a Gunners fan if stats don't change in the new game with regards to van persie and fabregas then i will strongly consider chaining myself to the front doors of Konami's Headquarters demanding an explanation/change. To enforce my point, cesc has passing stats all around the 70 mark, van persie supposedly cant shoot, with shot accuracy around the 70's and rosicky also can't shoot from range. Obviously the lads at Konami haven't watched a lot of the big games over the past couple of years. If they had they would have noted that Rosicky scored goal after goal from 35 yards for fun in the World Cup. Cesc is a legend and if anyone should have stats like Adriano it should be Van Persie, obviously toned down a bit from the god like stats. I ensure you this is not a biased view, as i also picked out that Cristiano Ronaldo has similiar shooting stats, lacking accuracy. Robinho practically wins Brazil the Copa America, but he can't shoot on PES? The list goes on.
The whole issue with unfair stats not reflecting real world player ability promotes people to only play as certain teams, i.e. Inter or Brazil.
Remedial Goalkeeping was also an issue, this seems to have been improved on the new game although i have scored a few goals where the balls gone right down the middle past the keepers hand. They also have a tendency to palm the ball into their own bottom corner when you shoot from an angle. But overall 'Lehmann' moments as i like to refer to them, have been greatly reduced.
Rant over, they do this then i'm certain the game will warrant a full 5 stars. I've effectivley given the demo 4.
As for FIFA, don't be silly. Each year they rely on their licenses and jazzy adverts featuring world footballing stars to trick people into buying it. I'm sure there's subliminal messaging going on, something i'm immune to being so deeply in love with the PES legacy. Every year they release it a month before PES to dangle a football sim worm on a hook and watch the fools bite, this basically completely covers their marketing strategy as a whole.
I've played the game to give it a fair chance, innocent until proven guilty and all that. They seem to be disillusioned, as realistic gameplay does not mean reducing the game play to a snails pace and minimilising goal scoring oppurtunities. Plus the player's look much like themselves on PES, on FIFA whilst playing as Man Utd i couldn't tell the difference between Rooney and Scholes save the name on the HUD. Did they employ Quentin Blake to do the player animations and artwork?
£40 is hard earned, spend it well.