4.11.2007

Something very strange is happening on this page.It seems that a great number of people seriously dislike this game... So much so that you would expect the game to be a serious disappointment. It isn't.There have been times when I have been to see a movie that everyone has rated, and I have thought fairly pointless, and have been left wondering if I am watching the same movie as that which had been rated so highly. This is one of those cases, except where a majority have slated this game, I think that it is rather good.In fact, "rather good" is not accurate. I think it's excellent.For as long as I can remember, I have been searching for the perfect football game, and while this is not it,it is still better than anything we've had up until now (and yes, I'm including Fifa '08).This search has been going on from the days of Kick Off and Sensible Soccer, through FIFA International Soccer and the early-ish day of EA's FIFA franchise (up until 2004 where I finally decided that it was had pretty much nothing to do with Football). Sometime in 1997 I discovered Konami's International Superstar Soccer on the PS, and was blown away. My devotion to EA's franchise, and the fact that Konami were refusing to release to the PC, meant that I continued to buy FIFA titles for the time being. Until 2003 when PES3 came out for the PC.I haven't looked back since then.This latest version of PES incorporates the things that has made the series so much better than any other football game - the realistic ball dynamics, the realistic movement of the players, and the realisation that football is not an exact science, and that skill must be combined with hard work in order to achieve success. EA ignores this rule, and a quick glance at the marketing for any one of the recent FIFA titles will show that their primary concentration is on making football look as much like Americans think football should be - Namely, all flicks and tricks and beautiful volleys, runs, and glamour. Football is not necessarily about this, and when it is, it certainly shouldn't be taken for granted. With all versions of PES, and very much with this one, a beautiful goal is one that YOU have scored with the help of your team, not one that the computer has scored by you pressing the "score beautiful goal button".My first test of any new football simulation is quite a sad one: I set up two teams I know well (Arsenal v Manchester Utd in this case, as that was the flavour of the week), and watch the computer take all aspects of the game. I play no part, other than that of judge and jury over the realisms of the game. Over the years I have seen all sorts of levels of realism in varying combinations of graphics and gameplay - not always with progress being made in either category over the course of time. This time, however, I was blown away. Both teams played a very real version of how I would expect their real-world counterparts to behave - even to the point of Ronaldo taking a dive when he realised he was going nowhere. Unlike the real world, however, the ref showed him a yellow card for simulation.And simulation is the word. Some people on this page will have you believe that this is an arcade game, and some will even imply that FIFA is more realistic. I can only assume that these people are on EA's payroll, as I keep tabs on both games consistantly, and can only say that the only area that FIFA is ahead of PES in realism stakes is in the club franchises they have spent all their development money on buying.To the people who complain about performance issues, it is perhaps surprising that they have not noticed that technology advances. There have been many times in my past when a computer game I have purchased has lead me to need an upgrade to a component or two of my computer. That said, however, this is not one of those occasions, and PES 2008 plays perfectly well on my fairly old Pentium 4 (albeit without super high res settings - that's just something to look forward to).Fundamentally, though, I would highly recommend ignoring the naysayers on this site, as taking their advice would lead to you missing an opportunity to see this wonderfully well-thought-out game.

20.11.2007

First off, i'd like to say that i have played both Fifa 08 (full game) and PES 2008 (demo) so my review should be reasonably fair.Fifa 08 was a big letdown in my opinion, especially the new "co-op" mode in which you control a created player for a whole season and develop his stats. Players on your side regularly squander possession and alot of ball hogging seems to occur. When not in control of the ball, you can regularly see your entire squad retreating deep into their own half (watch the radar). This makes for a very frustrating experience for when you win the ball back, you can only get as far as the halfway line! It's also impossible for me to take on defenders as the right stick on my analog pad isn't even detected by the game!!!(for those that are asking, yes it does work!)In comparison, the opposition are unfairly balanced. Their formation, passing, and dribbling skills are faultless meanwhile your defenders are just letting them pass freely with no pressure whatsoever. Apart from the player i control, i feel like it's 11 v 1!Upon picking up the PES 2008 demo, my opinion was greatly changed. I have enjoyed playing PES since the PES 2 days on the playstation. I personally enjoyed PES 5/6 on PC the most and although many will say PES 2008 is exactly the same, there are subtle differences. Obviously, the graphics are improved as it's an xbox 360 port. While not fully taking advantage of PC hardware, it's passable compared to the very "ps2" looking PES6. Back to the subtleties, I have noticed that through balls have improved and your players now run on to them more efficiently.Playing the demo, i was able to set up a slick passing movement with a lobbed through ball from Heinze to Tevez. Tevez timed his run timed perfectly and slotted home into the bottom right corner. It's this type of gameplay that makes PES 2008 so compelling to play and leaves a great sense of satisfaction afterwards. PES 2008 is no pushover though, you need to work for your goals but not so hard that it's impossible. 4 stars provided me with a suitable challange until i'm able to buy the full version.I've noticed alot of gamers are quick to criticise PES 2008 for being too difficult. I feel this is unfair because every PES game requires a little patience to get into so judging it after the first few kicks of the ball won't do it justice. Mixing your gameplay style will yield the best results. To be fair though, it does have its bugs. Console owners in particular have been complaining about sluggish replays and poor connections when playing online but as i recall, the initial release of PES6 had these bugs also. Konami released a patch soon afterwards to fix these bugs so be patient folks :)Overall, i'd say PES 2008 is a superior purchase as it makes you think on your feet - just as a real footballer would.

8.11.2007

When I first played PES 2008, my anticipation turned into disappointment. Though the menus are much more contemporary than PES 6, the actual gameplay seemed to be lacking everything that mede its predecessor so good. It felt sloppy, as though you were not properly in control of your players. The movement of the ball seemed quick and unrealistic, and the shooting was random.However, I persevered, and after maybe 10 matches, got used to things. But I still looked back with fond memories of PES 6. Then I thought, didn't I think the same about PES 5. And 4. The point is, when a NEW PES is released, at first you always think the old version was better. Then you get used to the new one and you never look back.

8.10.2007

After being somewhat disapointed with PES 6, I came into playing PES 2008 expecting the series to yet again go in the wrong direction.... boy how wrong I was.First off, finally the PC gets equal treatment. The graphics look really nice and even though there are one or two issues here and there. There nothing that can't be fixed by Konami or edited by community members. Crowds look a little muzzled and textures of the shirts could be a little higher.Gameplay wise it's back to it's best, for me PES 5 was the best the series as had to offer so far. Well maybe not now as PES2008 provides a superb fast paced game of the beautiful game and does it with such class and style you can't help but smile.

4.11.2007

If you've got a decent PC, and don't have the cash yet for a PS3 or an X-Box360 then the PC version of Pro Evolution 2008 will do very nicely. Unlike with the PS2 version, the game has been overhauled to make things such as taking it round players far more realistic and in general the game just plays really, really well.Pro Evolution 2008 improves upon the classic series, and remains the choice for true football fans. If you like shiny graphics, "roster swaps" (whatever they are) and presentation over football, or you're just a casual fan, FIFA is for you. If you want the proper football experience, and don't mind spending 2 precious seconds changing "Man Red" to "Manchester United" then this is the game for you.Aside from a failure to get key English clubs licensed,

2.12.2007

I don't know about how good this game is on the PS3/XBOX 360, but it is definitely a great game for PC.The great things about it:- The graphics are top notch if you have a 6200GT or more graphics card: the players look incredibly realistic.- The opponent's AI (artificial intelligence) is great, making you have to change your attacking approach as it adjusts to your style of play, making you think!- Though you might think this sort of game is much better on consoles, it seems it's quite the opposite: on a modest system, this game, based on reviews for the PS3 & 360 games, is best for PC.However, some let downs:- There aren't actually any new features added to the Pro Evo 6 game of last year.- Online play is poor; it's rather buggy with a lot of 'lag'

5.10.2007

I really dont get You people!?!Ive been playing PES for more than 4 years now, on PC and PS2 and can tell that this on for me so far is the best one. Cant stop playing demo, since downloaded it last week! I have to admit that it is much easier though [im not sure if this Teamvision thing is implemented in the demo] on Regular than it used to be on PES2006 ie. yet just turn it to Proffesional or the highest leve and its not so easy any more.I really don understand how this is not fun, responsive and all your crappy comments? Have You played new Fifa?? this is ****!!! its the worst one ever.I only gave 4 stars as Im rating it on the demo, and dont know what a full version will be like.

22.1.2008

its a decent game alot more realistic than fifa by a mile , the gameplay is pretty good , as for games been pre determined thats aload of rubbish quit the game and play the same game and it will be different everytime maybe you are just rubbish at it and you cant slate a game that you are just not good at ,,, people complaining about the graphics and performance i only have a 1.8 dual core , 1gb ram and 128 mb graphics card and mine plays fine on full detail so i don't know what you are doing wrong maybe try running with less things in the background then u might actually be able to playanways id buy this game rant over

18.12.2007

Just another pro evo with updated graphics, more skills and more realistic movements.All the mode remain the same. Gameplay remains pretty much the same.I could understand why some people will think that this is not a big improvement from pro evo 6, but the fact is since pro evo 5, the game was already very good (in my opinion) so even if only little improvements are made, the gameplay is still the best there is.However the only thing that bugs me, is that somehow the game won't work unless I plug in a controller!? But once the controller is plugged in everything is fine. - very odd.

18.10.2007

Pro evolution soccer series is by far the most enjoyable football game on any platform. Was originally a Fifa player then I saw the light in 2001 and have never looked back. This years demo,looks and plays brilliantly. I'm sure the finsished product won't dissapoint, fluid movement and passing,great graphics and goals. Fifa same c**p but they just stick another year to it.

28.10.2007

People seem to have conflicting views on this version of PES , but I think it's great . Your ability to control your players is so much better and goals are also a plenty (unlike in PES6 - or maybe I just wasn't any good at that game !) .I have FIFA 08 too , which is quite good , but this title is superior .

29.10.2007

please can someone tell me what is the newest PES? I mean sometimes i see pes 2007 released in march this year? and then that wining eleven 2008 pes or whatever. damn... can someone explain which is which and release date of the newest PES!so confusing....I cant see the answer even on KONAMi.comthanks

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