Out Today: PES 2018 - Footy Headlines Review
Sep 14, 2017, by Pat
Over the past few weeks, we had the chance to give the new Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, which is out today, an extensive run, first with the Demo and later with a test sample that Konami was kind enough to supply us with.
Gameplay
First off, for all those who have played the Beta and Demo before it, it's safe to say that not too much has changed in regards to those two early versions of PES 2018 in terms of gameplay.
Evaluating the gameplay is a bit tricky we thought as everything felt too restricted and rigid on the default passing assistance level 1 - putting it on zero, which is more manual but not 'full manual' makes it a pretty different affair altogether. So, if you felt similarly about the default setup, it might be worth giving that a shot.
In more general terms, PES 2018's gameplay feels like a clear improvement over its predecessor, with a lot of new, more realistic animations and added unpredictability. It's a game which can be played successfully in a lot of different ways, from counter attacks to possession football or a long ball tactic - something that definitely could not be said about most recently released football simulations and recalls Pro Evo's mid-2000s heydays.
Unfortunately, a lot of the bad points from years past haven't been eradicated. These include the odd tactical awareness and defensive positioning, both with human and CPU controlled teams, as well as the rather strange and too often unrealistically playing CPU. Often it felt more difficult to play against the smaller teams, a sentiment shared by many PES players in recent years as well. At least for those that find the highest difficulty level too easy, Konami added in another tier called 'Legend', which unlocks after five wins against 'Superstar'.
Smaller gameplay-related improvements include the new freekick and penalty system. Shooting has also been revamped and feels a bit less rocked-like than before - a step in the right direction but by not pefect or on par with FIFA's still.
Modes and Licenses
Looking at modes, it's clear that Konami's priorities lay with gameplay this year, with Master League, MyClub and Become a Legend receiving just cosmetic updates for the most part.
A big problem with PES ever since it's been included has been the online mode, which we've unfortunately not been able to test yet. We'll possibly have another look at it once those servers are up - the Beta offered more than just a glimpse of hope in that department back in July.
Something totally new is the return of the 'random selection mode' in an improved way which sees options expanded and online functionality added to iconic mode from many years ago. It's a fun little addition that allows to mix up things with randomly selected teams - the pool of players the game chooses from can be adjusted to include only certain teams, leagues and more.
Licensing and graphics wise it's similar. There are some additions and changes, generally towards the positive and of the scale, but nothing out of the ordinary can be noted. For a full overview, check out this from Konami.
Thankfully, the edit mode has only been improvement, and thanks to the changes introduced last year, a number of high-quality patches supplying correct kits for Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga should be out on release day or shortly after. We'll soon follow up with an overview over the best ones.
Verdict
PES 2018 is an easy choice over FIFA for anyone who enjoyed its predecessor, but FIFA regulars should probably have a good look at both demos before making a final decision. 3.5/5.
This review was conducted on the PC and PS4 versions of the game.
Extremely Limited: Macron Lausanne-Sport 26-27 130th Anniversary Kit Released
Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport and technical sponsor Macron have officially unveiled a special commemorative kit celebrating the club's 130th anniversary. Founded in 1896 under the original name FC Montriond, the Swiss side pays tribute to its foundational roots with a look directly inspired by the earliest outfits in club history.
The Macron Lausanne-Sport 26-27 130th Anniversary shirt showcases broad alternating blue and white horizontal hoops across the body and sleeves, framed by a neat crew neck collar. Honoring its heritage, the jersey swaps the contemporary LS crest for the historic FC Montriond badge on the chest alongside the Macron Hero logo. The kit is complemented by simple white shorts and white socks to finish a faithful retro aesthetic, while a matching pale green variation has been crafted for the goalkeepers.
The special shirt will not be released for general retail sale. Only 130 individually numbered copies have been produced, each accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Fans will have the chance to win the shirts via a charity raffle benefiting the club's youth development fund during the official anniversary match against FC Thun at the Stade de la Tuilière on November 1, 2026, where the team will wear the kit in action.
Cobh Ramblers 2026 Third Kit Released
Cobh Ramblers have officially released their new third kit for the 2026 League of Ireland First Division campaign. Produced by German brand uhlsport, the strip introduces a classy black and gold color scheme while sharing the bespoke local design language featured across the club's 2026 kit collection.
The uhlsport Cobh Ramblers 2026 third shirt combines a black base with subtle tonal vertical striping. Flowing down the left side beneath the monochrome gold club crest are two striking gold vertical stripes shaped like lancet arches, inspired by the architecture and stained glass windows of St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh. Celtic knotwork adorns the v-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the uhlsport lettering and front-of-shirt sponsor Caltech Electrical Supplies are also finished in gold.
The new Cobh Ramblers 2026 third kit is now available through the club's official online store and physical club shop, retailing at €70 for adult sizes and €50 for kids.
Salisbury FC 26-27 Third Kit Revealed
English non-league side Salisbury FC have officially unveiled their new 26-27 third kit, brought back following the squad's recent tour of Kuwait. The release complements the club's home and away strips that were launched earlier in the summer.
The Salisbury FC 26-27 third shirt features a vibrant yellow base contrasted with royal blue accents. A retro-inspired blue collar with a v-neck insert frames the neckline, while dynamic blue striped graphics run down the sleeves and lower flanks. Continuing the club's deep ties to Kuwait under owner Ali Alhamad, the chest prominently displays the Arabic script logo of a Kuwaiti digital bank alongside the club crest.
The strip is completed with matching yellow shorts featuring blue side panels. The Salisbury 26-27 third shirt was made available exclusively to match-going fans at the club shop ahead of their FA Cup qualifying clash against Dulwich Hamlet.
Independiente del Valle 2026 Commemorative Kit Released
Ecuadorian powerhouse Independiente del Valle has teamed up with Marathon Sports to launch a special commemorative kit for the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. Designed as an end-of-the-year release, the new shirt will be worn by Los Rayados in their remaining LigaPro and Copa Ecuador fixtures as they push for silverware.
The Marathon Independiente del Valle 2026 commemorative jersey introduces a fresh color twist on the club's signature look. Dominated by a sleek black base, the shirt is highlighted by a wide vertical pink stripe running down the center of the chest with a subtle brushstroke texture. The IDV crest takes center stage directly inside the stripe beneath the Marathon logo, accompanied by matching pink trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs alongside crisp white sponsor graphics.
This special release stands apart from IDV's regular 2026 home shirt, which used blue detailing rather than the bold pink seen here. The jersey was unveiled following an exclusive blindfolded preview event for club members and is now available through official Marathon Sports stores and online retailers.