When I first picked up Pro Evolution Soccer 2017, I remember feeling that familiar mix of excitement and frustration that comes with mastering a new football simulation. Having spent countless hours across multiple editions, I can confidently say this installment represents one of the most refined gameplay experiences in the series. The learning curve might seem steep initially, but the satisfaction of gradually improving your skills makes the journey worthwhile. Much like the Choco Mucho captain's observation about seeing gradual improvements in her team's performance, I've found that PES 2017 rewards persistent practice and strategic adaptation. The game truly shines when you begin to understand its nuanced mechanics and develop your own winning approaches.
One of the most crucial realizations I've had while mastering PES 2017 is that brute force attacking rarely works against competent opponents. The defensive AI has been significantly enhanced, with teams maintaining better shape and positioning than in previous versions. Through my experience, I've found that successful attacks often require patience - statistics from my gameplay sessions show that I average around 68% possession in matches I win, compared to just 42% in losses. Building from the back has become essential, with quick one-twos and strategic through balls being more effective than hopeful long balls. The advanced through ball mechanic, executed by pressing R1 + triangle on PlayStation or RB + Y on Xbox, has become my go-to weapon for breaking stubborn defenses. It's not just about creating chances but creating the right kind of chances - I've tracked my shooting accuracy improving from 38% to 67% as I've learned to work the ball into better positions.
Player individuality stands out remarkably in PES 2017, something that took me considerable time to fully appreciate. Unlike many football games where players can feel somewhat interchangeable, here each athlete possesses distinct characteristics that significantly impact gameplay. Neymar's dribbling feels genuinely different from Messi's, while Suarez's positioning and finishing truly reflect his real-world capabilities. I've developed personal preferences for certain players based on their in-game effectiveness - for instance, I find Griezmann's movement between defensive lines particularly effective, scoring 23 goals with him in my Master League season. This attention to detail extends to less celebrated players too; I've discovered hidden gems like Ziyech who outperform their overall ratings in specific roles. Learning to leverage these unique attributes has been fundamental to my improvement, much like how real coaches identify and develop their players' strengths.
Defensive organization requires equal attention to detail. Early in my PES 2017 journey, I frequently found myself exposed to counterattacks, conceding an average of 2.1 goals per game during my first 20 matches. The key breakthrough came when I stopped aggressively pressing with multiple players and instead focused on maintaining defensive shape. Using teammate contain (X/A button) while controlling another player to cut passing lanes has reduced my goals conceded to 0.8 per match over my last 50 games. The positioning of your defensive line needs constant adjustment based on the opponent's formation - against 4-3-3 setups, I push higher, while against two-striker systems, I tend to drop deeper. Set piece defense has its own learning curve; I've found that manually moving goalkeepers during corners (L3 + R3) has prevented approximately 12 goals across my Master League season.
What truly separates competent players from exceptional ones in PES 2017 is adaptability. The game's dynamic difficulty means that strategies effective against one opponent might fail against another. I maintain a spreadsheet tracking my performance against different formations, and the data clearly shows my 65% win rate against 4-2-3-1 drops to 48% against 3-5-2 setups. This forced me to develop multiple tactical approaches rather than relying on a single system. The fluid formation system has been invaluable here - being able to switch between offensive and defensive shapes depending on match situations has turned several potential losses into draws or wins. Like the gradual improvement mentioned by the Choco Mucho captain, my ability to read games and make appropriate adjustments has developed through experience rather than overnight.
Mastering advanced techniques separates good players from great ones. The manual passing and shooting options, while challenging initially, offer precision that assisted controls cannot match. After switching to manual shooting, my conversion rate initially dropped from 15% to 9%, but has since climbed to 22% as I've grown accustomed to the mechanic. Similarly, learning to use advanced instructions effectively - such as "hug the touchline" against narrow defenses or "false fullbacks" to create midfield overloads - has added strategic depth to my gameplay. These nuances aren't immediately obvious, but they provide the marginal gains that often decide tight matches. I've particularly grown fond of using the "tiki-taka" instruction combined with "possession game" tactical approach, maintaining an average of 75% pass completion rate in my recent matches.
The satisfaction in PES 2017 comes from that gradual mastery, that feeling of pieces slowly falling into place through practice and analysis. Much like the Choco Mucho captain expressed happiness at seeing gradual improvements, I've found the most rewarding aspect of PES 2017 isn't necessarily winning, but seeing tangible development in my understanding and execution. The game continues to reveal its depth even after hundreds of matches - whether it's discovering new player combinations, refining set piece routines, or learning to read opponents' patterns. While the journey toward mastery remains ongoing, the strategic foundation I've built through focused practice and analysis has transformed my approach from reactive to proactive, allowing me to impose my style rather than simply respond to opponents. That evolution, more than any specific victory, represents the true reward of engaging with this beautifully complex football simulation.
