Last year publisher Konami released a fantastic edition in the long-running "Pro Evolution Soccer" series. In recent years "PES" has not only challenged its competition, but in the minds of some, has even surpassed it to become the best soccer video game on the market.
The franchise continually has to overcome the drawback of offering fewer licenses than rival "FIFA" from EA Sports. Creation and sharing helps mitigate that but is only possible on PS4 and not Xbox One. Additionally, the feature set has been somewhat lacking in comparison to the competition, but a few new additions to be introduced in the upcoming "Pro Evolution Soccer 2018" hope to close that gap. One of those new features is on full display in a free online beta that launched Thursday.
Available on both Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the "PES 2018" beta offers the opportunity to play the new online co-op mode that allows three people on one team to take on three people on the other. It also provides standard (1v1) online games while including two teams to choose from, Brazil and France.
MORE: Review of Pro Evolution Soccer 2017
While the co-op feature will allow for people to connect and play with friends on the same team in "PES 2018," the beta instead has been restricted to random matchmaking.
The online beta runs through the end of July. This marks the first time in seven years one has been held for the series, and the feedback provided by players (which can be submitted through this form) will be taken into consideration for an update to go out alongside the game's launch.
Xbox Live Gold is required to play the beta on Xbox One, but a PlayStation Plus subscription is not necessary to participate on PS4.
"PES 2018" will be released Sept. 12 with numerous improvements to gameplay, presentation and visuals. A full trailer was released out last month. A free demo for the game will also be offered at some point prior to release.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.