After last year's good, yet disappointing PES 2008, Konami have it all to do to win over the mass market and hardcore fans with their latest edition. EA's stranglehold on team/player/stadium licenses immediately puts pressure on PES 2009 to placate those who refuse to play with Man Red at the St Bristol Mary stadium. Thankfully, the edit mode is back, which means you can create badges, kits and players from scratch. And with the capture of the Manchester United and Liverpool licenses - sans stadiums - and the Champions League competition, the layman is partially catered for in this respect. But for everyone else, it's more of the same to a large extent.
Changes wise, the first thing you'll notice with PES 2009 is how much more measured the game plays. The zippy arcade feel has been substituted so now the game - like aging Hull City striker, Dean Windass - has a slower approach than previous seasons. This isn't to say that Ronaldo, Robinho and Walcott aren't still lightening quick, (more on this later), it just means that you need to be ready to make decisions a split-second sooner than you think. Hold onto the ball too long, with a defender charging in, and you're in trouble.
Hammering X and hoping it'll find the closest man isn't a sanctuary anymore. You'll need to have selected your target as the ball approaches and pass it off instantly or your player will just knock it into space under pressure. Midfield technicians like Scholes will be able to bring the ball under control, swivel effortlessly and then pass to feet with ease but less able cloggers like Tom Huddlestone will struggle with this play.
The same goes for dribbling. Pick the ball up with Messi and you can really torture defenders simply by switching directions with the D-pad. These organic controls (now with the Marseille Roulette on D-Pad, confusingly) allow you to leave defenders in knots when performed with quality dribblers before bursting off with a sprint (R1) that will leave defenders trailing.
But try this with Bouba Diop, for example, and the big lad will struggle and lose possession. This adds another layer of individualism to each player that EA simply can't match, and is another reason why PES will always be the footballer's football game.
But, while the current FIFA rights some of the wrongs in terms of the series' shooting mechanics Konami take a step backwards with theirs. With the new laborious approach, getting a shot off can be a frustrating affair. Cracking home a Stevie Gerrard thunderbolt from outside the area doesn't happen very often due to a combination of psychic defenders who are on the scene in nanoseconds, and too much dallying required to get the ball under control. Shots from distance are equally annoying too.
Ping one in from further than 18 yards and, more often than not, the ball will suddenly fill with helium and head into the heavens. And some shots from certain angles in the box - no matter how much you try - never seem to hit the target, never mind the back of the net. It's initially jarring to get used to this new scheme but you eventually will with a little patience and practice.
Other than the Champions League there's a familiar feel to the rest of PES 2009's modes. The International Cup (read: World Cup), leagues, and exhibition games are all in attendance and, of course, with a new PES there's a whole new Master League, right? Wrong. Save for the new loyalty indicator that signals whether a player is happy at a club or not - giving you an idea of how easy/hard it will be to prise a player away - everything is exactly the same. You can play as your favourite team with their current squad, or the default players like Huylens et al, or make your own club from scratch to compete in the make-believe league and that's about it.
Konami haven't even incorporated the Champions League into the Master League either, which seems like a strange use of the competition. We know EA have all the licensing power to make their career mode exciting and accurate but Konami need to come up with some great ideas for PES 2010 because this is starting to wear really thin. But, judging by their Be A Legend mode - a carbon copy of FIFA's Be A Pro - it looks like they're all out of inspiration for the moment.
Be A Legend could've been huge but instead it feels incredibly shallow and soulless. The gist is that you create a 17 year old player and work your way up from, say, Sunderland's reserves to the first team and beyond to giants like Barcelona or AC Milan. You can check HOW TO BE A LEGEND for a more in-depth explanation but we're gutted that you can only improve stats by playing training games or the odd first team game when they could've used the training mode that's already tucked away on the disk to create realistic challenges and sessions which concentrate on specific skills. Hell, they could even have brought back the challenges from PES6 where you had to hit targets in free-kick training to bring some excitement to the fore.
In return for this hiccup, KCET have added some neat animations to liven things up like a jumping back-heel flick or a little nod-down header to bring a lofted ball under control and still continue your run seamlessly. The weapon that we're sure will get Seabass's pants in a twist this year (he hates it when player's 'break' the game) is the chipped through ball. It works like a dream as you laser-target a pass over a defence with the likes of Fabregas. Used at the right time, it's impossible to defend against as back-peddling defenders often pull up or labour behind the attacker who's already going full-tilt on goal. A sweeper will help stem the tide though.
Whilst PES 2009 looks better than ever (they've captured Ronaldo's hateful, preening face to a tee) and the tweaked animations make it look more realistic than ever, we still can't get our heads around the commentary, which is down-right bizarre. It's Champion and Lawrenson back in the hot-seats and their scripting is dreadful. Comments like 'These two managers will share a bottle of wine after this, but now for some whining' or 'the half-time lottery was won by chief of police today' are two of the most insane remarks that they spout. Their delivery is so dry you can almost hear them choking on grains of sand. There's an unintentional humour to the banter, which will have you laughing out loud the first few times, but after a couple of sessions it's just terrible.
Despite the lack of movement regarding the new modes, licenses and Master League improvements, PES 2009 is still the game that will have you coming back for more. Look past all the awful commentary, and disappointing Be A Legend mode, and you're left with a title that delivers the most complete footie experience to date. We'll take a look at the 2 vs. 2 online mode and the 4-player network Legends next issue but rest assured, PES 2009 is back to its best on the pitch. Let's just hope that Konami can add some fresh ideas for next season.
Nathan Irvine
// Overview
Verdict
Overall Sterling footy action but the lack of new ideas is starting to grate.
But, judging by their Be A Legend mode - a carbon copy of FIFA's Be A Pro - it looks like they're all out of inspiration for the moment.
fail, it was in Winning Eleven a few games ago. EDIT: you even posted it on this site a few days ago in an interview with MR. Sea
Cracking home a Stevie Gerrard thunderbolt from outside the area doesn't happen very often due to a combination of psychic defenders who are on the scene in nanoseconds, and too much dallying required to get the ball under control. Shots from distance are equally annoying too.
actually done this a few times on the demo lol only wished i could have saved them
I thought it'd already been made clear that the "Become a Legend" mode was in Konami's games years ago (I think back in the ISS days), under a different name (edit: also see nologos post)
Doubtless the popularity of "Be a Pro" has influenced their decision to bring it back, but it seems a shame to see that people are still assuming that it is a copy of FIFA's mode.
On a wider note, the games are close this year, FIFA's looking excellent and Pro Evo's fixed the problems from last year. It's going to be a case of whether you prefer the slicker FIFA presentation or the slightly more arcadey feel of PES.
I think this year, for the first time since the Winning Eleven/PES/ISS series began, FIFA have finally won. PES isn't as complete as it used to be, and while FIFA is moving on and up, PES is stagnating and sticking with their old engines.Alarm bells first rang with PES 6, then they exploded with 2008.....09 feels more like a cross between the two, hardly a next gen leap. That's not to say FIFA have made the truly next gen football game we've been waiting for, but they're closer to it, and that is a glaring testament to the laziness of Konami's W.E. team over the last two years.
Ive always been a Pro Evo man, but this year after playing both I have purchased FIFA, pro evo just seemed very arcady, fifa was a much more professional and enjoyable package in my opinion, and using adidas live stats to update the players stats in the game throughout the season - brilliant! It'll be an interesting one next year
I think this year, for the first time since the Winning Eleven/PES/ISS series began, FIFA have finally won. PES isn't as complete as it used to be, and while FIFA is moving on and up, PES is stagnating and sticking with their old engines.Alarm bells first rang with PES 6, then they exploded with 2008.....09 feels more like a cross between the two, hardly a next gen leap. That's not to say FIFA have made the truly next gen football game we've been waiting for, but they're closer to it, and that is a glaring testament to the laziness of Konami's W.E. team over the last two years.
You know what, you're absolutley right.
My copy of Pro Evo arrived in the post this morning (shopto.net), and for the first time ever, I actually prefer FIFA this time round.
This has never happened before. I started with the Konami games with ISS64 (Had a megadrive so never played the Snes one), and have always preferred them to FIFA. EA have finally done it this year though, FIFA 09 is simply the better game.
Its not even the licenses that do it. Its the tactics and the ability you have to decide how your players support the man on the ball, how they move in and around the box and how they react to were the ball is on the field. Pro Evo feels really primitive if you've played a decent amoun of this years FIFA.
For example, I was playing with Liverpool yesterday (On FIFA), I had the ball With Mascherano, played it on Torres who dropped deep for the ball. I then poked it on to Keane as he had moved inside the full back in response to Torres coming short. The ball came to Keane at a funny angle, but because Gerrard had started running into the middle to support the play it meant I could control it, turn, and knock a flighted through ball over the last defender so Gerrard could run in and score.
Playing Pro Evo today just felt like going back in time. To get any movement out of your players you have to do the one - two as they just wont do it on their own accord like FIFA.
When so many people liked FIFA last year over Pro Evo, I didnt agree with them in the slightest. It seemed too slow and difficult to control. This year though it definatley is the better game.
It shows it up like Pro Evo used to do to FIFA.
Oh, and there are no Trophies in the PS3 version!! What happened??!! I read that there would be.
I think this year, for the first time since the Winning Eleven/PES/ISS series began, FIFA have finally won. PES isn't as complete as it used to be, and while FIFA is moving on and up, PES is stagnating and sticking with their old engines.Alarm bells first rang with PES 6, then they exploded with 2008.....09 feels more like a cross between the two, hardly a next gen leap. That's not to say FIFA have made the truly next gen football game we've been waiting for, but they're closer to it, and that is a glaring testament to the laziness of Konami's W.E. team over the last two years.
i disagree, having bought into the FIFA hype this year around (i feel like a sucka now buying into hype) i think its the exact same soddy game covered in shiney stuff as they do every year. i hate the way the fifa ball feels like its connected to a wire and i get even more annoyed by the motion capture..its just over kill. i agree..the updated stats is fantastic..strange choice tbh ..because why on earth would you buy next years fifa when you will have 09 with updated team stats...strange choice fifa will probably regret next year.
i agree konami havent changed alot..but this is why i love the game..i dont want a changed engine..i want Winning Eleven 7 with ps3 graphics please.
It is really, really dissappointing that Konami have not even bothered to improve the Master League mode. It is so shallow and soulless yet I still play it on PES2008, but there are a million and one improvements they could make.
Konami and Seabass' complacency is infuriating and like many, this is the first time ever I'm torn between either FIFA or Pro
Also, why do they change the shooting mechanics so drastically every year. Last years shooting pretty much nailed it (possibly slightly too easy to score at an angle shooting across the keeper)
There does seem to be a real consensus that this year FIFA has closed the gap on Pro Evo. I'm seeing very few dissenting voices.
Maybe when PES actually gets released, we'll see a different picture.
Well as I said, my copy arrived this morning and I still reckon FIFAs better.
Only in single player though. Multiplayer pro evo is still brilliant.
The onlines fixed too.
The edit mode is as good as they say in the review by the way. Being able to upload images of your own (and mates) faces to put into the game is class! Also the crowd chant thing is ace - Im gonna have to find some anti Robbie Savage Mp3's to stick in the game!
Nologo the voice of reason (or treason in FIFA fans view), It's great to hear some true views rather than the biased EA / FIFA fanboys that seem to think the new FIFA is the best football game on earth.
I played both and I have expressed my views previously on how bad FIFA still plays, always has the floaty ball physic and the shocking pass system that true football fans cant adapt too. I hate the FIFA monopoly on Kits,clubs and stadia rights, however one of the joys of PES is the edit system. I will happily buy the game and spend the first 4 hours editing the game to my standard, demoting the likes of shevchenko and making Brazil's Ronaldo a fat C**t who cant run but deadly in front of goal, also the ability to make a team of my friends who play the game.
I understand that everyone has their own view, horses for courses and all that, but for PES fans to claim they are converted cos FIFA plays better
As my grandad said to me while watching Micky Quinn play live on TV "You cant polish a turd son" and that is how i feel about FIFA.
"I thought it'd already been made clear that the "Become a Legend" mode was in Konami's games years ago (I think back in the ISS days), under a different name" - that was called 'Fantasia' I believe.
Having played the demo I can't say that I was overly impressed, especially after playing the new Fifa, which I love. Saying that, I have been a Pro Evo/ISS fan since the Megadrive, so will end up buying it anyway - maybe just a few months later than usual. There will be no complaining when I pick it up for £20!
Wasn't this years pro evo supposed to be a huge improvement over last years?
Well from all the reviews I've read it's not, and tbh that's not acceptable. The roles have been reversed Konami is the new EA. Bringing s**tty yearly updates with little to no improvements.
gave the demo another chance last night. Dont like the game play, just reminded me of the first ISS on the PS2 and N64, doesnt feel like theres many changes to me.
But it does look good. I like the managers an subs on the side line (easily pleased) and when the game was won someone won the subs would run up to the players to celebrate, thought it was a nice touch.
Can I just ask. Why would you spend endless hours making the game something that it should have been in the first place? I cant see the fun in it, I remember doing it on the PS2 and N64 and it was so tedious.
Someone said on fifa the ball is on a wire. I havent seen this once, the ball goes wherever you kick it. I felt this was more so the case on pes2009. The gameplay is unpredictable in fifa the plays that the computer bangs out is always varied, players act like they would do on the pitch.
On Pro Evo, I turned my head passed it and what do you know, it went to one of my players every time without being intercepted.
I cant comment on past fifa games because the last one i had was 98...
When it comes down to gameplay I dont think you could critisise either of them, they both play very different. Fifa opts for realism and Pro Evo for the fast paced estravagant arcade feel and they both do what they set out to do well
It seems there are a couple of people that will only like Pro Evo whatever happens, and there's nothing wrong with that. I actually used to be the same myself.
EA bringin out FIFA a couple of weeks earlier has really given me time to get into it though, and once you've done that it is clear its the more realistic simulation of football this time.
Except when you get a decent lead. If you go two up, the opponent just flings everything at you, so its really easy to score on the counter! This needs to be fixed.
Also, I was playing Pro Evo online last night, and it seems as though that still isnt working properly. It was fine in the afternoon, but 2 v 2 last night was an absolute mess. There are times when you just cant move.
Oh, and to the guy who said he was an ISS fan since the Megadrive days - It wasnt out on the megadrive was it? I always remember being jealous I couldnt get it cos it was on Snes. I had to put up with isometric FIFA back then.
Wasn't this years pro evo supposed to be a huge improvement over last years?
Well from all the reviews I've read it's not, and tbh that's not acceptable. The roles have been reversed Konami is the new EA. Bringing s**tty yearly updates with little to no improvements.
Shame on you konami shame on you.
explain to me why fifa is such a HUGE improvement over last years?
Oh, and to the guy who said he was an ISS fan since the Megadrive days - It wasnt out on the megadrive was it? I always remember being jealous I couldnt get it cos it was on Snes. I had to put up with isometric FIFA back then.
true!and the ability to run away from the Ref when he wants to book you for nearly killing the goalie with your studs lol.
When it comes down to gameplay I dont think you could critisise either of them, they both play very different. Fifa opts for realism and Pro Evo for the fast paced estravagant arcade feel and they both do what they set out to do well
Erm, are you sure that's not the other way around?
When it comes down to gameplay I dont think you could critisise either of them, they both play very different. Fifa opts for realism and Pro Evo for the fast paced estravagant arcade feel and they both do what they set out to do well
Erm, are you sure that's not the other way around?
FIFA still feels like an arcade game to me.
Not at all mate. It feels, looks and plays like a real game of football, after playing the demo again it only reinforced this. It reminds me of standing in the arcades, playing a sped up, simple (but enjoyable) game.
I use this analogy because if you think of Tekken 2 or 3, they always played faster on the arcades (and the american versions) than the PAL versions.
When it comes down to gameplay I dont think you could critisise either of them, they both play very different. Fifa opts for realism and Pro Evo for the fast paced estravagant arcade feel and they both do what they set out to do well
Erm, are you sure that's not the other way around?
FIFA still feels like an arcade game to me.
i agree here..fifa to me is the arcade game and pes is more of the accurate game. what are fifa 09's pens about?!LOL is so random
I didn't know reviewers could be biased ... Sounds like a Fifa fan here =p
My sentiments exactly, im not worried though as come tomorrow evening I will be immersed in a true football game with a football that feels free, not some ball on a string and bloaty floaty players...
Enjoy FIFA cos I'll be balls deep in pro evo's juicy wet puss-ay tomorrow!! mmmm mmmmm
New joke alert: fifa is a sim and Pro Evo is Arcade...
Dont make me pi** my pants mate, FIFA is the Aracde, pro evo lets you edit from top to bottom making it more of a sim!!
The only reason you have to edit is because it isnt right in the first place. I dont know if your on about customising the players or the gameplay or what but we have different opinions and thats cool. let us know what you guys think of the full game when you rip yourselves away from it!
The game is everything last years should have been!!
Spent half the night online with no lag, gameplay is spot on its a true next gen pro for me! all in all we have to forget last years pro cos this game is great!
cant wait for someone to make a option file then this will be absolutely perfect!
Just bought the game in Asda for £27 So already im onto a winner, played the game with my flatmate for 3 hours before coming to work, no chance of a sickie as my boss knows it PES day
It plays like a dream and I am so happy, I am going to spend my weekend in a cloud of smoke editing the game to death and back so the moment I have my save ready will share!
Awful, truely awful, having been a Pro Evo fan for more years than i care to remember, laughing at how crap FIFA always was i can't believe that this year the tables have been completely turned round. Nearly every review I've read said FIFA was the more sim like and Pro Evo was the Arcadey one, well i couldn't believe it but after playing FIFA non stop since release (after playing the demo it sold me!) it really felt like a true football game, the ball physics, the way you have to time headers, through balls etc, the ball goes anywhere on the pitch you want it to, wonderful stuff. Then after last years awful PES2008 i had high hopes they would get it right this year, surely my beloved Pro Evo would show it's still top dog!!??? But alas no, it fails and it fails badly, no noticeable improvement, the game engine now looks, feels and plays like it is OLD!! It's so sad that a once great franchise is now resorting to quick fix updates each year (just like FIFA used to do) Unless they completely re do the game engine next year, listen to whats being said then i can see FIFA leaving them for dust. FIFA09 is an unbelievable game of footy and you would really have to be the most blinkered of Pes fanboys not to see it. Believe me i never thought I'd play a FIFA game over Pro Evo but i want to play the best footy game there is and without question that is FIFA this year and I'm afraid you blinked PES boys will just have to get over it.
After buying all the PS2 versions of Pro Evo except last year when I got the PS3 version, which I was extremely disappointed with. Graphically not much better than the PS2 and everyone knows about the joke that is online play. This year I played both demos of FIFA and PES. I decided FIFA had improved immensely and Pro Evo was the same as last year with less frame rate problems. I bought FIFA and I can honestly say I am very impressed. Its not just about graphics either, Pro Evo's interface seems very old an clunky and FIFA is so much more polished. The commentary on PES has always been a bit of a joke, whereas on FIFA its like listening to Sky Sports. PES has the Champions League but still doesn't have all the correct teams. I am playing FIFA a lot more than I did PES last year, and am enjoying it a whole lot more. There is still some lag during online games but nowhere near as bad as PES. I can't help thinking that PES has had its day, but would love to see it bounce back bigger and better than ever next year....
I may be mad but calling the legend mode souless....since i started it its all iv played lol you have to put some serious time in but like always with pes games,it pays. its best career mode about by a mile.... the games amazing all round.iv always been a pes fan but thought it had its work cut out when i played this years fifa...i couldnt of been more wrong
Shouldn't the game get a 6 not an 8. Think about it, no new changes, no transfers done on release, poor kits, only a "new" champions league and BAL mode but otherwise it's pretty much PES2008 with a little gloss but no actual GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS.
Personally I think EA and Konami have switched around without anyone realising until the past two years to be honest.
What have konami done.Changing the pes engine was not a good idea after pes 6 due to the gameplay being outstanding. I beleive that if they use that gameplay but improved and a bit more realistic, the old pes will be back and EA will have to prepare themselves because pes will be hitting 9/10 which means fifa will be getting 5/10 like the old days.
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So already im onto a winner, played the game with my flatmate for 3 hours before coming to work, no chance of a sickie as my boss knows it PES day 
