Pro Evolution Soccer 2008: "After-the-initial Impression" Impressions

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Demo


I'm glad I didn't write this mini review directly after the first match I played on the Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 demo (Xbox 360), as it would have fallen way short of the Fifa demo.

Initially, it felt too fast and more arcadey than any previous games. I think what has happened this year is Fifa have gone too realistic, and have forced this extremely slow (but, perhaps, more realistic) paced game on to it's gamers. Where as PES, although faster (maybe, still, a little too fast) gives the player that freedom to slow the game down with their individual style of play. Now, it's hard to gauge the success on this with the demo, as it's only a 5 minute match so it's hard to really play a slow passing game with the clock counting down (up?) so fast, but it's an option that's plain to see.

Graphically. I feel I'm missing out. I don't own a 30'inch HDTV, I have a 15 inch portable that I play my games on, but it does look better; improved much so. But no ground breaking. The likenesses of the players are perfect and leagues ahead of the license-grabbing corporation that is Electronic Arts.

Gameplay. The different types of players handle and feel different, where as, with the Fifa demo, this wasn't so obvious; every player seemed to handle almost the same even though it was obvious who were the better players. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, firstly allows you to play your style, but also limits that with the players you have at your disposal. Say you play Morientes instead of Torres (Spain nation team). Morientes is marginally better than Torres in the air, but Torres offers that thread in behind; he's faster and more direct. However, compare Torres to the more slight build but more skillful Villa; Villa has more tricks and a better touch, but the taller more heavy built Torres will be harder to knock off of the ball. Now that goes for every player; every player has his own strengths and weaknesses and thus far it looks like this has been tweaked to it's best in this most recent version.

A few niggles however...

Goalkeepers. Are these men between the sticks so difficult to code? Fifa's were in some kind of slo-mo limbo, where as there's a host of bad things about the keepers of PES. I feel the goalkeepers are worse than they were in PES6, which just isn't on. They'll rarely keep a hold of a shot, even when it's fired straight at them. We were promised that goalkeepers will try to push shots around the post instead of into the path of an oncoming striker... Bull-hucky! They're worse than ever! At least Fifa have the animations down to a 'T', PES goalies are lacking in this area too. Fix it KONAMILots 'O Glitches. Animation popping, telekinesis goalkeepers, terrible hit collision... The list goes on. I accept that this is a demo so I assume these will all be fixed for its release.

Ref and Lino's. Refs seem better but less consistent! They now let well timed challenges go, even if you get the ball and the player! Score! But they'll now send you off for fouls on the half way line, and give penalties for perfectly timed challenged coming in from the front?! Sort it out..


And that's it really. I'm really enjoying it apart from the occasion glitch and (sometimes related) terrible goalkeeping/Referee error. If the niggles are fixed it should be the best PES to date (maybe!).

Full version still expected for 26th of October - so about a month!
Much love,

RU