Ronaldo overtakes Messi as PES 2012 box s

Move over Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo is centre stage on the PES 2012 cover this year, with Konami claiming the Real Madrid star "personifies the many advances the game offers."The cover art, which you can see in PS3 and Xbox 360 flavours on this page, shows old winky in an image that Konami says embodies the changes and options in this year's instalment: "total control both on and off the ball."Konami explains: "PES 2012 gives the user more control than any other football title, with all-new AI elements and off-the-ball control creating a game where the user can move players into dangerous areas during set pieces, or control second player to create space or make runs using the new Teammate Cormtn system. "Similarly, at the heart of PES 2012 is the Active AI system where players will drop into space, draw defenders out of position, and make diagonal runs as in real matches. "This creates a game that flows and moves just like a top-level game, and also create the defence-splitting passes and glorious attacks that has elevated Cristiano Ronaldo to the top of his game."Ronaldo himself said of the cover art: "I am flattered that Konami has chosen me to be the face of PES 2012, and by their reasoning behind the cover image."PES 2012 to me is the perfect recreation of football, and truly highlights the way teams work together to create attacks, make space and break down defences. "I think anyone that plays it will get a better understanding of the mechanics of football and how players work together. It is never about one player, it is about the team - and PES 2012 demonstrates that better than any other game."Set for release on October 14 on PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, PSP and PS2, Konami says PES 2012's focus is on "the instinctive way the game can be played and on teamwork in particular".Hit the link for a tonne of PES 2012 gameplay footage. Andy Robinson

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