There are still too many small issues with gameplay to make PES be at the top of the sports game tree........
Onto the latest version now in PES 2010 and there are many things to like. (Just to note I only had PES 2009 on PS2 so I can't compare this to the previous next gen version of the game). The gameplay is realisticly slower than previous versions with a lower focus on speed to score goals. It still helps to have players like Ronaldo or Ribery on the wing but it has become much more of a pass and move type of gameplay. The presentation and great graphics have improved considerably for the whole product, with well known music and design of the menus also. Master league and Become a legend mode have been given a boost also with more options and features. I must say though many of the new features should have been in versions ago. Sound wise atmosphere/chanting has improved also. Penalties have also been given an overhaul with instead of it being a luck game like it used to be, you have to very carefully watch the power and direction you put on the ball as you take a shot.
To the cons now and I never felt in the older PES games the keepers needed much of a change, since PES 2008 mainly though they have been poor. They get beaten at the near post way too much, they punch/thumble the ball too much instead of catching the ball, they dont come off their line at times (even when I have held the button for the keeper to rush out sometimes he hasn't), and a couple of the goals are beyond belief. The AI crossed the ball in high and my keeper just almost watched the go over his head into the net. So the keepers still definetly need a reprogram for PES 2011. As do the referees. Likewise with the keepers I don't remember having an issue with the refs in older versions of the series, but the amount of times you are sure you are fouled and don't get the call is terrible. They are way too lenient and this leads to gamer frustration.
Apart from those two bigger issues there are smaller gameplay ones such as from crosses the defenders miss it too often falling to a striker behind him. Also when a striker is being passed to in the box and you press shoot before he gets it to shoot it first time too often they trap the ball first meaning your chance to score is gone as there isn't a lot of space in this game. Also the AI pass it around the back way too much and for way too long. Even when they are losing with little time to go there is no urgency from the AI at all. Online is still an issue also with most complaining of lag. Particular for someone like myself on an Island away from the rest of the world to get a playable game at all requires me to find another Aussie, and even then I'm not assured of a lag free game. Commentary is also becoming to wear thin, very little has been added to the script and they need to redo this as it seems like for years that they have been saying the same thing. Also what annoys me about Konami is that they remove/change stuff that doesn't need it. When you take a penalty now it is from whatever view you play with, most play with the sideview I'm guessing and this is the view you take a penalty from during the game....An odd call.
Overall the graphics/presentation and addition to game modes are good to keep you busy for a long time and the gameplay is mostly good. But there are still too many small issues (I'm sure I've forgotten to mentions some also) with gameplay to make PES be at the top of the sports game tree with light second as it used to be.