Going back to the discussion, I know that most people group PES 2010 with 2008 and 2009.. But for me it kinda belongs in a different group.. 2008 for me belongs more with PES 6, it's similar to it even though many people don't like it, and PES 2009 is kind of an in-between for me.. I really like 2010's polish and presentation.. For some reason when I'm playing it, I feel like it goes with 2011-13.. but I know that I'm pretty much the only one who thinks so.
Probably most of people group 2010 with the past cause it was the last with the old feints system not tied to analog but to L1/L2. Although I agree with you that somehow it had a next gen feel

, also thanks to graphics and general presentation.
Personally, I like them all, for a reason or another. There still is enough Ps2 dna in each to enjoy for me.
Pes 2011 is surely the most peculiar of them all in my eyes. The catch up bug, the penalty system, the "rigid" player movement, one of the best semi shot and pass ever created, the menu, the graphics.. it all contributes to create one of the most unique chapters of the saga.
2010, while I'd put it as the last of the four, is still a solid one in my eyes. Maybe it's a bit on the soft side but under the right conditions it can also be a lot of fun. And it looks beautiful.
12 and 13 share a lot of things. We can say they are "twin" chapters.
I did some 6-7 Master League seasons with 2013 time ago and while it's more rigid then the others, and more counter attacking oriented, I absolutely enjoyed it. Will come back to it to close that ML sooner or later.
2012, I'd have to seriously retake and probably will in the not so far future. Great ML. A bit on the faster side but with more midfield play.
Both games have really, really nice player id btw. I can't think another Pes in which playing against Messi feels as "real" as in 12/13.
Oh, and one thing that ties more or less them all: the best Master Leagues ever. No other chapter before or after ever reached the depth they gave us in Ps3 era (although 2013 already felt watered down in this sense compared with 10, 11 and 12).