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Konami has confirmed that the latest entry in its popular football franchise will launch on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP and PC later this year, and features a raft of improvements.

Key to its visual overhaul is Kojima Production's Fox Engine, which has not only made the beautiful game even more attractive, it's allowed the developer to make significant adjustments to the way it plays.

For example, there's a new physics system named TrueBall Tech, which means you can angle a player's body using the analogue stick to trap the ball or perform a knock-on according to the speed and height of the ball as they receive it. PES's previously awkward player collisions should be a thing of the past with a new animation system that more convincingly simulates physical contact. Player behaviour has been tweaked, too: anyone performing badly might suffer a hit to their morale that leads to further mistakes, though team mates can offer support.

Meanwhile, a moment of magic - a thunderbolt from range, or a thrilling Messi-esque dribble through several opposition players - can lift a team's spirits, and the roar of the supporters behind them. A more responsive crowd will contribute to the match atmosphere, one area in which PES has lagged behind rival FIFA in recent years.

Konami has also confirmed it has the official licences for the UEFA Champions League and Asia Champions League, with more competitions to come. As for the lack of next-gen versions, it seems the publisher is sensibly keen not to walk before it can crawl, as the company's community manager Adam Bhatti confirmed on Twitter. "[We're] not in the business for high-res next-gen ports," he said. "We can't and shouldn't be just using higher quality textures. [It] should be new. In the past people accused us of being lazy. We're adamant of not making the same mistakes, and making sure we create amazing football games." Bhatti said he could understand fan complaints, but added "once [you] see PES 2014 in action, that pain will disappear. It's stunning."

We'll find out if he's right when the game launches in Europe later this year.