16.2.2009

First things first - this game doesn't get 5 stars becasue it has a few flaws and annoying points - but that doesn't mean the *core* of the game isn't good - and that is also why it cannot ever EVER deserve one star. I don't know what game these people are playing but it ain't this.I have both FIFA 09 and PES 09. Good start for a comparison. But I'll talk about PES as this is the review for that game. Ok.Annoying bits out the road first.1) Commentary - I've been switching the footy commentary off since PES4. Enough said - I couldn't care less. The crowd noise and tension on the pitch is where it counts so - despite the fact next gen should be able to handle some reactive speech programming with ease - ths is one where I say "who cares".Really. I don't.2) Menus. Abysmal. Truly rank rotten - the lot of them. Whoever designed these for Konami should be ashamed. It's like pop art for a trainer commercial. FIFA's are terrible too - but not this bad!3) Music. Again - mostly not my forte. I liked the cheesy rock of PES4 but for the most part - again - music has little to do with a football match unless it's hordes of ecstatic fans belting out their teams anthems. So once more - who really cares? Not me.Now the good bits.1) On the pitch - yes the graphics are a lot lot better. The camera angles are a whole lot better than FIFA's (even when customised) and the player collisions especially are a joy to experience. Whether crunching tackles or simple accidental collisions - the sound and physical movement is quite lifelike.2) On the pitch - difficult passes are, in the main, more difficult and easier passes are, well yeah, easier (in the main). The spread of player skill is a bit more stretched now. You could previoulsy have humped the ball across the pitch with anybody and landed it close to your opposite player. Not now. You need to think a bit more about the passes - but some good combination moves are possible.3) Tackling and "pressing" the opposition. On the pitch - the big guys now feel big - whereas the wee guys tend to get the brush off. But unlike previous incarnations - the inertia of your own player does seem to be a closer match to the opposing player - i.e it's not as easy as it was previously to simply get barged off the ball. Nice!4) Speed. The balance of speed and skill has been brought into line. It's not quite as easy to charge away and leave defenders in your dust (whilst dribbling) but it's just as effective to either a) motor past down the line at speed (sacrificing control) or b) dribbling happily away. Players will keep up with you - but if you have a good dribblign skill level then you can fend them off if you make the right directional choices. Again - what would a real Lionel Messi do?5) Tactics. The fully customisable tactical system in PES hasn't been updated in years - but it has worked well for years too. Being able to swap between 3 different formation during a game can be a liability for the untrained - but when you change things around and see some proper improvement - it's extremely satisfying. Breaking down stubborn defences with a swift change of tactics is the reward for any good manager - and PES still delivers this.Now the grey areas.1) Shooting. In some respects it's more realistic. Longer shots are more difficult to hit without time, space and skill - whereas low shots in the box are normally quite well struck from guys with decent shooting skill. In saying that - it's still quite easy to balloon shots over the bar from players with whom you would expect to have better control - but conversely it's sometimes easy to accidentally come up with the most improbable of finishes featuring dexterity, shooting technique and power that only belong to the likes of Cruijff or Van Basten. So for shooting - the jury's out.2) Player movement. Other reviewers have commented on the lack of involvement of other team mates. I agree it's a bit erratic - but on the whole your colleagues do react to the right choice of tactics and attacking direction from the formation options. The forwards generally advance quite aggressively - in fact pleasingly so. But sometimes the full backs only advance of you first pass the ball with them to a team mate and then hit the B button to charge forward. So I'm not sure this has worked out best for 09.In summary though - I do think the on pitch action deserves some really good marks - and I think it just beats FIFA in terms of "feel" and control when on the ball. Konami have some tweaks to make - and long standing issues to sort out (c'mon "Seabass" - you should be embarrassed that some of your most well known game design flaws still exist across 5 or 6 iterations of the game - and an entirely new platform to boot).But overall - yeah I don't see why 4 out of 5 is not fair - and once more I can't agree at all with the scores of 1 out of 5. These games seem to bring out the worst in people sometimes - and for most of the reasons given I think it's a bit petty.If you want the best on-pitch action - with a good sprinkling of competitiveness and realism - then PES 2009 is hard to beat.

9.12.2008

I can understand why this game has recieved some negative reviews but not the quantity of them. I got this game on the day of release but refrained from writing a review because i was so frustrated with it. There was even a controller thrown at one point! As i have been playing pro evo since the days of ISS on the original playstation i was determined to stick with it and see if it grew on me which it certainly did. Ill admit that this is far towards the simulation side of football games as you would ever want to go and they possibly took it a bit far(some of the players cant dribble past jogging speed) but it encourages people to play a passing game, use the one-two function and create better team moves.Gone are the days when Michael Owen could run in a straight line through your entire team in about 2 seconds. Much like in real life dribbling is about close control and direction shifts, only applying sprint when there is some space to run into and the ball is away from the opposition player. As such first touch is even more important than in previous versions and it can be far more effective to stand still if in space so as to draw defenders out before commiting them with a pass. People used to sprinting everywhere with little patience will find the computer to be irritatingly good at tackling and defending. If you press left bumper after a pass the passer will pass the ball then make a forward run, combinations of these give-and-go passes can be used to devastating effect in this game. Also people familiar with all previous versions of pro evo will know that some versions the shot bar is more like a height bar with the shot being determined by your players stride pattern in relation to the shot and his attribute "shot power". That is the system used in this version so people trying to half power it and blast it into the net will not score may goals unless their players have good enough technique to control that shot. As for the tackling system it is very similar to the previous version with holding of tackle to muscle them, but now tapping it seems to more freely attempt a stab tackle than it did with its predecessor. This may be a bit more than most people want to think about with a football game with it being very difficult to score with basic passes and long dribbles but as with all other versions every single player action can be taken to an extremely high level and if you understand the real life game of football and are prepared to "bring your A game" for want of a better expression to every match then the football that can be played on this version can occasionally be like watching a frantic real life top 4 battle. This is even more the case in master league where the new champions league section brings tough game after tough game. One of my friends was loving playing two player versus the computer because as he rightly said the computer can now finally give your a real game. With better defence, better passing and some evil corner kicks the computer can now score against you with means other than 35 yard free kicks(which went in 90 percent of the time on top level on the last game). Many people will find this game too slow or get frustrated at the lack of dribbling but i find that all these changes have made this game more realistic and at the end of the day pro evo has always been a simulation game with fifa being the arcade alternative. However hard this game is to play it is worth it when you see the football that can be played on it.

18.10.2008

So another year, and another inevitable duel between PES and FIFA to be crowned king of the football simulations. Unfortunately, this time also means the occurence of the petty squabbles between PES and FIFA fan boys, with both parties claiming 'Only real men' can play their respective game; oblivious to the fact that each game indicates anyone over the age of three can, in fact, do so.In light of this, I will try to keep my review as non-biased as possible, in spite of my allegiance to PES over the years.To start off, I am surprised by the reviews labelling this the 'WORST PES GAME EVAR!'. However, in spite of this, I think there is reason to be critical of Konami.While new features have been added,the gameplay remains very much the same - perhaps worse!The player motion, as ever seems rigid, with players seemingly only being able to run at 8 different angles. What exacerbates this is the sensitivity of the analogue stick. How vexing it can be when through on goal, you tap the stick to the side to open up your body in order to perform an Henry-esque curler, but instead find your player do a 45 degree turn and run head first into the challenging defender.If that wasn't bad enough, when you do get through on goal, you'll find you either pass the ball into the hands of the grateful keeper; or you'll imitate Johnny Wilkinson and hoof the ball 20 yards over the ball.While the players are generally tactically sound, I still find the full-back will show a complete unwillingness to push forward and support the winger when quite blatantly need - 'Yes Dani Alves, you are allowed to push forward into that valley of space in front of you when the winger has clearly ran out of options and has two opponents kicking him from behind'.And kick they do. The refereeing is strange. 'Pressing' seemingly involves the opponent standind behind you for a few seconds, kicking you in the back of the leg, and walking off with the ball whilst the terrible commentary team criticise you for losing possession.And that leads me onto my next point: the commentary. One of the major criticisms of the previous games was the banal commentary. So how do they prevent this repetition? By opting to use the exact same commentary! Yes, they're back, with profound quotes such as: "If you keep the ball, the other team can't score"; "If you don't win the raffle, you can't win the lottery"; and "He could open a can of beans with his foot" That's right: "He could open a can of beans with his foot". Is any player deserving of such high praise?Now the negatives are out of the way, I can say I still find the gameplay very enjoyable. No longer will you have to face the annoyance of passing the ball to no-one whilst your player stands there in anticipation; the pace of the game is very good; whilst, as abovementioned, the players seem very tactically aware.The Become a Legend mode is thoroughly enjoyable too. It is the sort of feature that gives you a sense of achievement. You do not gain instant gratification and full stats within 2 seasons. You have to spend years working your way up and developing your stats before you can be considered for a top side. Admittedly, the selection process can be strange - I was dropped after scoring a hattrick. But other than that, it is a thoroughly enjoyable feature.In conclusion, I would say it is a good buy, but I just cannot see why Konami do not improve on flaws that have been so obvious for the past few years.

2.10.2008

Advantages:*Gameplay is more fluid.*One two's are not an easy way to take it pass the computer, the defenders now follow the running player, gaps are closed and it feels very realistic.*You cannot simply get fast players and run! Computer defenders now close you down quicker and push you wide. You have to play to get round the AI.*Long balls hang in the end like real life. Its easier to launch a ball over a defender and it slows down for the player to run onto, just like real life.*When your receieve the ball the compuer defenders pounce on you, they actually put pressure on your attacks.*Shooting is now very realistic, you cannot simply belt the ball from 30 yards and expect it to go on targe.

18.10.2008

There's a school of thought here that the might EA's FIFA 2009 has obliterated PES out of the water, resulting in, supposedly, PES 2009 being made redundant in the wake of the (admittedly excellent) FIFA 09. Wll I've got news for you, people - DESPITE what the critics will have you believe, PES 2009 is excellent in it's own right.What was the best footie control system has been improved. The reason it hasn't been so radical an improvement is down to the "if it aint broke" syndrome. Yes, FIFA 2009 has made loads of improvements, but at the end of the day, let's not forget that it needed to improve. For years, FIFA has been frankly boring. Yet year after year they kept on churning them out.

24.1.2009

I'm gonna come across as arrogant, but if you hate this game you probably don't have a very good footballing brain or you are just plain mental. Many professional footballers love this game, you know why cos it's a great representation of football.Where to start- the pace of the game is much more realistic, the way you can change from slow passing to a fast fluid attack or just plain long ball is brilliant. Passing may take a while to get used to, but if you perservere, you can be incredibly creative. The through ball along the ground and chipping is amazing and if you have the imagination and skill you can make amazing passes with low stat players.Shooting is better its harder but you can score from more obscure angles.

4.11.2008

I gave both FIFA and PES 2009 a chance this year which says a lot as normally I would not give FIFA a second glance. Despite some impressive features in FIFA and the simulation feel of it I just found it rather boring, the game play clunky and the whole experience dissatisfying. I still have much more fun playing Pro Evolution the gameplay is sublime, the passing unbeatable and you can score goals that seem a whole different experience every time. FIFA still feels a bit formulaic to me but the fact i'm even thinking of FIFA shows how Pro Evolution isn't advancing at the rate it once did. The graphics have improved but are still not a high a standard as they could be, the amount of licenses are just not good enough!

15.10.2008

I was amazed when this arrived in todays post, thought it wasn't out until friday. Check the gamertag (el jonsoon), got just the 10GP for wining a game at the moment, but thought i'd just get that "I've got this game early" gloat out of the way... ahem...The game itself...Well the presentation is neither good or bad, fairly intuitive menus that might however seem messy to those not familiar with PES, but not hugely different to recent installments. The music has driven me mad, no-mark indie and pop bands singing about the most irrelevant subject matter (a girl bringing someone down and down and down, again again again - naff).I haven't played all the way through the champions league yet and so far the 'become a legend'

19.10.2008

If your 11 and like to score goals and play football that bears no relevance to real life then safe to say Pro is probably not for you.Now obviously banging in a screamer from 40 yards to secure the title is what we all want, but every game?This version of Pro is hard work to begin with but some of the subleties in the game play make you smile (Ronaldo looking the other way while slipping a slide rule pass through to Rooney) and they are worth the effort.The controls mean you have to be much more accurate with where you pass the ball and you'll have to be quick on the descision making too, sloppy errors get punished, not so much simple sprinting and pushing pass opponents either,

22.1.2010

First off,ihave been playing fifa 08,and 09 for the last couple of years and they are excellent(4stars each)Fifa 10 en route via amazon.Yet when i read reviews(generally scathing for pes 09)i thought why not check it out.Well i was pleasantly surprised.Fifa is the thinking mans game very realistic but occasionally boring and very difficult on legendarry mode and its not easy to score spectacular goals.But if you are looking for lots of fun buy pes 09.This is(in my opinion)the best way to enjoy pes.1.Choose your team and max out the stats for every player to 99.2.Select "Top player" mode in the gameplay(most difficult)3.Begin !!!!!!!!!!!!The match is totally unrealistic,played at amazing speed

4.1.2009

I always used to be a fifa boy, simply because it was less gameplay focused so I found it easier to do well. I converted to PES at number 6 and have never looked back at fifa since.PES 2008 was not a disappointment. It was a huge step up from PES6, but nevertheless still lacked slightly.PES 2009, therefore, is a huge success! The gameplay, although not vastly changed, is much better. It is harder to pass the ball and not as easy to run through players.The graphics have a very noticable difference. On my non-HD tv the pitch looks much less pixelated - and on my friends HD tv it's just astonishing.The Master League mode has little changed there except for the way in which players are purchased

8.10.2008

Must be that time of the year again, Pro Evo and FIFA go head-to-head in the football simulations. Having played both the Demo's now I think Pro still has the edge in pure footballing terms i.e. gameplay, realism. However, when I played the FIFA demo it was so much fun. Graphics are excellent, but again the ball doesn't move quickly enough and the through balls (again) just don't make sense to anyone who has actually played football to a decent level as I have.The improved graphics on Pro Evo do make a difference though and the player mechanics and AI have also improved for a more rounded game.As far as game modes go, that has to go to FIFA once again as it looks polished and thought through.

16.10.2008

This time last year i worte a review on how disapointed i was with evo 2008 on PS2, it seemed like a step backwards, in the evo series. Well a year has passed, and i now own an xbox 360, and having recieved my copy of evo 2009 last night, it feels as if Konami are back on track. The gameplay (as always) is fantastic, the movement of players, and the physics of the ball are a massive improvement. The graphics have also been greatly improved. There are a whole lot more different game modes which should hopefully give evo 2009 that extra added play-ability factor, and having Liverpool and Man Utd as fully licensed teams is a lot batter than having Newcastle and Spurs (no offence Newc/Spurs fans!!)Evo 2009 is not without its faults tho....

14.11.2008

I'm a 15 year old boy and i have been playing pes since version 2, and this new one is without a shadow of a doubt the best one so far by a clear mile.I recently played the latest version of fifa at a friends house and i was shocked at how wooden the game play was.Pes still has that special something that fifa doesn't, maybe you can only appreciate it if you care more about gameplay than officialness.I can only think that fifa employees are being payed to put bad reviews on amazon because this game is incredible and how anyone could give it a one star review is ludicrous.On fifa it is too hard to run past people,

8.10.2008

As far as I am concerned there is no debate. Every year I play both games and every year I end up trading my copy of Fifa inside of a week. Evo just beats Fifa in every aspect, unless of course your talking about the licences and if nice looking kits are your concern then go and buy a Premier League sticker book as kits have nothing to do with gameplay. My main gripe about Fifa has always been that it feels as though everything is made out of marshmallow or something, it feels spungy, slow and un-responsive and 09' is no exception. I heard a couple of years ago that EA got a hold of a few developers from the Evo team,

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Xbox 360) - Reviews

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