Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer series may be the undisputed champion of soccer sims on PlayStation 2, but its next-generation incarnation is still very much up for grabs after an underwhelming debut on PS3.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 was highly anticipated by the loyal band of fans the series has collected since the first Pro Evolution Soccer was launched on PS One back in 2001, and it was maybe this air of expectancy amongst gamers that has resulted in slight disappointment at the final product.
That’s not to say that this is a bad game, it’s just that it could be better. The gameplay has definitely stepped up from Pro Evolution Soccer 6, the series’ last outing on PS2, and the graphics are very slick and player appearances vastly improved and detailed. But when you play the game, you are often asking yourself “where’s that gone”, “why’s this happening”, or shaking your head in dismay at the blatant incompetency of the goal keepers.
It’s funny though, because despite all this question asking, the game still remains horribly addictive. You may ask the same question 100 times, you may get annoyed that your player wont slide to keep a ball in play, or that the ‘keepers are about as useful as a chocolate fireguard, but you still play it. Why? Because it’s Pro Evo.
The gameplay is much improved, and it is this that has many fans licking their lips. The prospect of PES on PS3 in a few years time is frightening. Once Konami are up to speed with the complexity of the console, they are sure to produce a stunning game. For a first attempt though, this isn’t intrinsically bad by any means. Passing is slicker. You can ping the ball about left, right and centre and actually find the man you are looking for. Gone is the lead-balloon effect of last year where your passes used to take an eternity to reach its target.
Running with the ball feels more realistic too. Send Ronaldo or Wright-Phillips down that wing and the ball will stick to their feet like it’s glued on. It feels as if you have more control of the ball, and manoeuvring around the pitch is as majestic as ever before. Find the gaps for your playmakers to run in to and then release your strikers and wingers with precision. It is the beautiful game. When has Pro never been?
It’s hard to judge the shooting in the game. It feels different, but not in a bad way or a good way. The jury’s still out. The fact that the ‘keepers are the worst in the entire series counteracts this though. If you thought they were bad on PES6, they’ve hit an all time, Paul Robinson-esque low in this one. From time to time, they’ll somehow manage to fumble a timid Gary Neville shot on a goal, or parry what should have been an easy catch to an onrushing goalhunter. Even more bizarrely, they’ll then go on to pull off the save of the season.
So what’s new? Well, for the first time, you can dive on the game. With a quick press of L1+L2+R2 your player will tumble to the ground. It’s quite an art really, as most of the time, you’ll get booked despite the insistence of the commentary team that you were brutally hacked down, even though you fell to the ground with no opponents within 20 yards of you just because you were trying it out…. Figure out how to use it correctly though, and it’ll be something useful to have in your armoury when you’re locked in an extra time battle with your mate.
Speaking of the commentary team, that’s new too with Jon Champion and Mark Lawrenson have replaced the tiresome Peter Brackley and Trevor Brooking. Champion certainly breathes fresh air in to the game, even if Lawrenson does sound obviously scripted at times. Still, it’s a positive move, and one that’s welcomed by fans.
The in-game music has improved, with the Kaiser Chiefs providing the song for the insanely boring intro movie. As always, after a while, the soundtrack does get a little tedious, ... (continued on next page)
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Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports
Sub-Genre: Soccer
Release Date: Oct 16th, 2007
Additonal Info:
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: EA Sports
Genre: Sports
Sub-Genre: Soccer
Release Date: Oct 11th, 2005
Additonal Info:
Developer: TBA
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports
Sub-Genre: Soccer
Release Date: US: October 9, 2007
Additonal Info:
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Pro Evolution Soccer '08 GC '07 Trailer HD
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Pro Evolution Soccer '08 GC '07 Trailer
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PES is an excellent footy game i've had it for a week now and it is ace. Konami just need to sort out the online lag.
I agree.. the game has it's faults and is not what we where promised. But when it all comes down to it it is still the best football game on the next gen systems. I just hope that PES2009 will step up.. because FIFA is narrowing the gap.
I must say this game and Fifa are the best one's anyone that likes football will like this game :)
a major let down.
after being a solid pes fan my how life this year i though id give fifa a chance due to the fact im a leeds fan and wanted to play as leeds. i also bought pes 2008 as i love pes and can get enough of it. this years installment of pes is the worst ever and is simply awful the gamplay is laggy and the online is even laggier and the graphics are alwful. whereas with fifa the graphics are spotless and the gameplay is good but not as good as last years pes. i will give pes another chance next year because i still want to play the brilliant pes i just hope next years is the game we all wanted. avoid pes this year and go to fifa this year pes has lost their crown but next year i hope thye can win it back with the gameplay we all love. fifa i give 7.8 out of 10. pes i give 5.8 out of ten. major let down.
they should have had the online thing sorted by now
dont tell me PES is turning into madden, with sloppy sloppy
With the offline slow down try turning all the screen dispalys off as this has cured all the frame rate issues which I initially experianced (apart from the cr%p replays) on my system.
konami did this year a terrible job, fifa 08 is much much better !