Konami this week launched a debut trailer for PES 2013 (see below). Plus they announced the new features that video gamers can expect to see in Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 (PES 2013), scheduled for release later this year.

According to Konami, here are the new features and enhancements:

Total Freedom of Control: PES 2012 introduced the concept of freedom of movement, with players making better runs through improved AI. The new ‘PES FC’ in PES 2013 goes further with total freedom over ball control.

Dynamic First Touch: PES 2013 introduces subtle ways to receive the ball, from traps, gently lifting it past an attacker to run on to. First touch is everything and players can trap the ball using the R2 button, killing the speed of a well-hit pass and bringing it instantly under control, or using the momentum of the pass to turn a defender.

Full Manual Passing and Full Manual Shooting: PES 2013 offers fully manual passing and for the first time ever manual shooting, allowing users to determine the height and power of each. Long low passes can be sent skimming across the pitch, while using L2 while shooting will give the user total control over where the pass or shot is placed. Skill and precision are needed to master these, but passes can be made into open areas, allowing lone strikers to thrive, while offering an unrivalled variety in ways to score.

Dribbling: The speed with which a player moves with the ball has been slowed in line with real matches, but using R2 allows players to add various styles to their close control. Players can vary the speed of their dribbling, and cushion the ball as they move freely within a 360-degree circle. The new system allows players to knock a ball past a player and collect it, nutmeg them, or hold up play by shielding the ball as team mates find space and make runs.

Full Manual One-Two: Active one-two passes can be made, with the second player being moved in any direction, facilitating various tactical movements.

Response Defending: Countering the attacking options the new dribbling system offers, is a beautifully-balanced defence system. Players can use R2 and X to slow an attack, with a double-tap of the X button prompting a perfectly-timed challenge. Full 360-degree control means that players can check runs and steal the ball from a parallel position, while the individuality element will see world renowned defenders using aerial dominance of physicality to win the ball.

Goalkeepers: Even the game’s ‘keepers benefit from more control, while their distribution is more precise thanks to the addition of a power gauge when they throw the ball, creating opportunities for new, quicker counter attacks.

Player ID: Player ID focuses on the individual elements and movements that each player boasts:

Player Individuality: The very best players in PES 2013 will be instantly recognisable via incredible likeness and signature attributes that bring them to life. The way they run, turn, trap and move the ball, shoot and even celebrate will be noticeably different during play. Midfielders and defenders will move and track back mimicking the exact styles of the real thing, while strikers will shape to shoot just like the real thing.

The individuality of movement has also been extended to between the posts. Goal keeping has been totally invigorated via new animations and play styles. New varieties of saves and reactions have been added to ensure the game’s ‘keepers are in line with the efforts of real shot stoppers. This level of realism also extends to the game’s top-rated goal keepers, with their moves to close attacks down, fling themselves to tip a shot past the post, and in-goal acrobatics benefiting from all new animations and AI.

ProActive AI: ProActive AI unites the control and realism, with players that will respond and find space as befits those at the top of their game:

Balance of Play: The development team has worked closely with the PES fan base to eradicate any illogical elements to the way players move and run in PES 2013, with the ‘ProActive AI’ system enhancing the attack/defence balance elements, proper zonal movements to the defending unit to remove bunching in all areas, setting a harder to beat defensive line, and allowing for quicker counters from the wing-backs.

Tactical Precision: The balance of play has also been enhanced in the play between defences and the front line, with greater organisation as the teams track back or pelt forward. This means players are set up to exploit space with quick counter attacks,

“This is an exciting time to be part of the PES community, and PES 2013 marks a new level of control and a return to our key ethos of utter control and freedom,” commented Jon Murphy, European PES Team Leader. “PES 2013 will offer a new level of realism, with players on field no longer all running in the same manner, or making the same kinds of passes. Football is all about making magic happen with skill and precision, and PES 2013 truly encapsulates this. Fresh faces within the development team and some very exciting ideas will breathe new life into the PES series, and we look forward to showing what we can do in the coming months.”

PES 2013 will be released this fall on the following platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii.

What do you think? Are there any new features or enhancements mentioned above that you’re excited about? Or is most of it just PR fluff from Konami? Will PES 2013 be better than FIFA 13? Share your opinions in the comments section below.