Looking ahead to the near future, I’m already agonizing over whether to get FIFA 13 or PES 2013. Most of my friends and I play the FIFA series because of all the licensed leagues it has. However, the PES Series is very mod friendly and you get a lot of options out of the box without having paying extra for them.

Awhile back, I talked about some of what I would like to see in the next FIFA iteration. This weekend, I took some extensive time out and played PES on the PS3 and also tried out some of the other features that I normally overlooked and …it’s kind of hard to say no.  it’s games like this that makes me mad that you can’t combine this game and FIFA and have the ultimate footy game!

Konami has already been talking about a lot of their new features that fans can expect out of the new game and while, in my opinion, a lot of it is technical in nature, but here’s my PES 2013 wish-list:

1. More foul calls. One of the weirdest things I noticed playing PES 2012 over the weekend, through at least 15 games, I counted no more than 5 total cards. I am not sure if it’s a setting, but realistically speaking, I shouldn’t go through so many games with no cards being shown. Sometimes fouls are called for very light touches but then no cards or fouls called for brutal ones.

2. Better GUI. The one thing that irks me with PES is that sometimes it takes too long to find something as simple as individual records and other stats that I really want. Why?  Because the menus are not always readily available and then most of what you are looking at is represented by an icon and you have to hit the select menu to find out what it is. Also, there is no way to sort your stats.

3. Better In Game stat overlays. This is one department that FIFA has PES beaten in but not by a lot. While FIFA does present a lot of on-screen information during a game, similar to a broadcast, I don’t see a lot if any of that in my PES matches. It’s good to know passing stats and possessions at a glance, but it’s also nice to know other game scores during a match and I shouldn’t have to wait until half time to find these things out.

4. Keep it mod friendly. This is one of the reasons why I am getting PES 2013 on a PC. The modding community is huge for this game.  Even with a bit of tinkering with Option Files for the PS3, I managed to get all of the kits and logos for any league I wanted to play and since I wanted to use the EPL, this was a snap.  A lot of people have knocked PES for the lack of licensing, but with a little time and effort to install the right mods, this game can keep up with its FIFA rival. Even better with the PC version, modders have inserted new adboards, cleats and teams, and so many other goodies, even TV overlays like what you would find on ESPN, FOX Soccer and Sky Sports. As long as Konami doesn’t take away this feature, my PC will put in work this coming season.

5. Add more licensed materials. This piggybacks from my last point. As much as I don’t mind the modding, some of that time can be saved with stuff already in the game at purchase. While I understand how difficult it may be to get license deals for video games especially in a world dominated by EA sports, the fact that the number of licensed in game materials is growing is a positive sign. While it’s not yet mentioned what teams will be in the game, it’s hopeful that there will be more added teams and more added official tournaments in PES that could woo FIFA players over. One thing I found that I really could not do in FIFA 12 is accurately set up my own pseudo Euro 12 tournament because the setting just wouldn’t allow it. So, if I wanted to play it, I had to buy that expansion separately. With PES, it’s already there along with the World Cup and a few other tournaments. And again, if you have the inclination to do some modding, you can make your own (I have seen mods for the CONCACAF and AFC Champions League) and save the money. PES has FIFA beat in the fact that it has the officially licensed tournaments and I don’t see them giving up these rights soon. Also, I don’t think it would kill PES to get the license for international kits because the in-game ones are hideous.

6. Improve the Become a Legend (BAL) mode. This is one mode that is really growing on me as it’s a challenge to make a small time player into a star. I like the fact that you have to fight to work your way into the starting XI, getting fans on your side, even getting called up for international duty (FIFA really needs to take note of that feature) and most of these stats for your player are very conveniently placed.  The biggest improvement I would like to see are more challenges thrown my way like in FIFA rewards for in-game performance to improve my player such as dribbling skills, passing finishing etc.  Sure, the stats go up during the course of the season and while training, but some of these things could be good for instant gratification. Also a little bit more interaction from teammates before and after games would be fun too.

PES 2013 is scheduled for release on October 2, 2012 on all systems except the PS Vita.

What are some other ideas you would like to see implemented in the new PES 2013?