Konami "pulling out stops" for PES 2009

By Robert Purchese Published 14 August, 2008

Visuals, controls, modes overhauled.

Konami claims to have "pulled out all the stops" in order to make Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 a "landmark in footballing games" as part of a raft of feature announcements today.

Controls, visuals and AI are all areas rethought and rebuilt in order to reinvigorate the football simulation - and of course to tackle increasingly stiff competition from FIFA.

Pulling off tricks, for instance, is now done by rapidly changing direction when on the ball, rather than by relying on complex special moves.

Teamvision AI, the big idea from last year, will be more adept and send team members off on runs as they adapt more intuitively to their surroundings.

Plus, everything you see should be more detailed, sound better, and behave much more realistically than ever before; weather conditions mean passes need to be stronger on soggier pitches and so on.

Become a Legend mode, however, is billed as the biggest addition in PES 2009. This casts you as a single midfielder or striker, because those are the most exciting positions, obviously.

Here you start as a rookie and plough your way to the top, climbing the transfer ladder after good results and falling down after bad ones.

Become a Legend extends online to Legends mode, which sounds a lot like Be a Pro from FIFA. Friends band together together in teams - no word on how many - and take on rival squads.

"We have pulled out all the stops to make PES 2009 a landmark in footballing games. From the most basic controls through to the wide-ranging additions to game modes such as Become a Legend, all-new visuals, sound, and the Edit mode, Seabass and his team have strived to cram as much as they can into the new game," said Jon Murphy from Konami.

"And with more online announcements to follow, there is every reason to believe that PES 2009 is the football game everyone has been waiting for."

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is due out for PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii and DS this autumn.

Head over to our Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 gamepage to find out more.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (59) Latest comment 3 years ago

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  • THATinkjar #1 4 years ago

    I've heard all of this before... I'll still buy it, though.

  • andijames #2 4 years ago

    I hope they have learnt there lessons from last year but they said the same this time last year and it was awful

    I really do hope they manage to re-invigorate this though. I really do. Sill buying FIFA 09 though.

  • Darren #3 4 years ago

    Hmmm, we'll see... I seem to recall Konami making such claims prior to PES 6 appearing on the 360 and then when it was clear that wasn't exactly brilliant they said the same things about PES 2008 (of which the PS3 version was especially dreadful IMO; the EG review was a disgrace!). I've pre-ordered FIFA 09 and whether I buy PES 2009 very much depends on whether it is a massive improvement over the previous games on the 360.

  • Yossarian #4 4 years ago

    I will believe it when I see it. They have been shameless and shameful with the standard of the franchise this generation.

  • McFly55 #5 4 years ago

    Ill buy this and FIFA to be on the safe side.

  • Bealsy #6 4 years ago

    "It sounds like a Football I want to play"

    Like Guitar Hero?

  • rob230 #7 4 years ago

    Blah blah blah. Konami do this every year and each time they make something better, something else takes a massive slide.

    They need to start from scratch.

    I'm a massive Pro Evo fan but they still haven't made a PES worthy of the current gen yet.

  • Darren #8 4 years ago

    "Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is due out for PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii and DS this autumn."

    Isn't that a big part of PES' problem... the fact that Konami, as a small publisher, are committed to doing so many versions of the games that their quality invariably suffers?

  • nickthegun #9 4 years ago

    "We are pulling out all the stops to make sure 2009 is not as shit as 2008"

    I heard they sacked the guy who made the cardboard cutouts for for the crowd animation and everything.

  • degville #10 4 years ago

    @THATinkjar haha - yeah me too

  • bengray66 #11 4 years ago

    They need to start from scratch.

    +1

    Ditch the dead horse that is Pro Evo, And start from scratch in the revival of ISS!! that would be AWESOME!! (as long as Holland still have Jurgen)

  • JayeM #12 4 years ago

    "Pulling off tricks, for instance, is now done by rapidly changing direction when on the ball."

    I hate this.

  • QPRHOOPS81 #13 4 years ago

    something tells me the demo better be great or its flop ahoy. After the last edition people are going to be skeptical and need alot of motivating to buy it.

  • mcbi4kh2 #14 4 years ago

    Remember 08 online? *shudders*

  • Zomoniac #15 4 years ago

    So why were none of these improved visuals apparent in the trailer you just released? Or are these improvements on the same scale as you made last year, ie nil and made up?

    And having Be A Pro only without the option to play in defence or 10v10 online is not a selling point. You've lost the plot. Ditch the game and start over, using no assets at all from what currently exists, and maybe then you'll get back in the game.

  • CunningLinguist #16 4 years ago

    Can you remap the controls in FIFA to pro evo controls? You couldn't in the demo for euro 2008. If that game is anything to go by, then EA really made some progress.

  • Zomoniac #17 4 years ago

    Can you remap the controls in FIFA to pro evo controls?

    Well you could in 07, 08 and Euro, so I should hope so! Although the triggers and bumpers are reversed to the PES defaults (ie RT to sprint, LB to change player), but I prefer it that way.

  • Zander #18 4 years ago

    PES 08 really put me off, then i tried fifa 08 and realised that EA were the ones making changes not konami. Seeing is believing but i doubt i'll be won over by the next pes....

  • QPRHOOPS81 #19 4 years ago

    ball physics would be a good thing. You know so the ball doesn't bounce in crazy impossible directions just so it will go to the cpu opposition. That used to wind me up more than anything. Also the throw in invisible walls need to go. Lastly ditch the awful scripting and fact that you can tackle a player and have them get up and run off with the ball while your still on the floor.

  • dickrickulous #20 4 years ago

    I want it all to come together for Konami but it probably wont.

    Their press releases make bitter reading after spending a few months with each version, no matter how good it is.

    Revolutionary AI? Really?

  • DFawkes #21 4 years ago

    "Konami claims to have "pulled out all the stops"... as part of a raft..."
    It'll deflate then. Sorry, I know that was poor.

    What can you really do with a football game anyway? Teh only real variation I've seen is controlling just one player. Apart from that, there's not much else. Apart from guns.

  • itsfuzzy #22 4 years ago

    Think its a case of having to pull out all the stops rather than a desire to do so. PES5, 6 and 2008 are all an embarrassment . And dont mention the online play. A lot of the PES community are all leaving for Fifasville. . And can Seabass and the boys get rid of the god awful music they have had in the last 3 editions. . . . .

  • malteaserhead #23 4 years ago

    I agree with Darren - sounds like the same old empty promises.
    I definately won't be getting this at launch and maybe not at all.

    fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.

  • Feanor #24 4 years ago

    "Pulling off tricks, for instance, is now done by rapidly changing direction when on the ball, rather than by relying on complex special moves."

    This sound fucking horrible. :(

  • mcmonkeyplc #25 4 years ago

    If it's true then BRING IT ON!

  • andywilkie35 #26 4 years ago

    every year a new pro comes out, every year they say there'll be loads of changes, every year i buy it and realise that really there aren't many changes at all. Still gonna get it tho coz i fucking love it

  • Apologie #27 4 years ago

    i will never buy another PES game by impulse... the last installment was nothing but a bad joke.
    Edited by 1 at 14/08/08 @ 16:12

  • Stu #28 4 years ago

    I'll believe it when I see it. The trailer looks like PES2008 with a few new animations chucked in.

  • oreillymj #29 4 years ago

    I make a point of not buying anything from Konami that

    1) Is tied to 1 user on 1 console
    2) Has Konami's usually dire networking code
    3) Require jumping through 15 fucking hoops just to register so you can log on to their dire online service.

    I'll be waiting until at least the first patch to see if this is worth buying. Then I might pick it up 2nd hand.
    Edited by 2 at 14/08/08 @ 16:29

  • Browntracky #30 4 years ago

    I was just about to get pes 2008 for the wii this weekend. Is it still worth getting or should I wait?

  • levis #31 4 years ago

    This is the first year since 2001 that I wont be pre-ordering this! I'll wait and see how it pans out methinks...

  • malteaserhead #32 4 years ago

    Feanor
    "Pulling off tricks, for instance, is now done by rapidly changing direction when on the ball, rather than by relying on complex special moves."

    This sound fucking horrible. :(
    ________________________

    Yeah. Seems another step into the arcade end that pro fans historically wanted to shy away from.
    Could be better than it sounds though.

    So Konami are also trying to do a 'be a pro' style online mode.
    Fifa can already get 5v5 online working better than Komai get 1v1 working, I'm really pessimistic about PES implementing any kind of online team mode.
    Edited by 1 at 14/08/08 @ 16:45

  • mcwildcard #33 4 years ago

    Pull out all the stops?
    I'd prefer they pulled out all the bugs before release this time.
    They won't though, and I'll be disappointed once again.

  • disussedgenius #34 4 years ago

    Fuck Become a Legend, just improve the Master League.

  • oceanmotion #35 4 years ago

    I wouldn't touch this with a barge poll. Comments like that just cries "It's going to be oh so shit"

    Konami and PES are a joke. They should of been working on a next gen Pro Evo on the side 4 years ago while releasing these crappy editions and then unleash a decent football game. I've always bought Pro Evo but I've been burned too many times. People are talking up Fifa after the Champions League or Euro 2008 game so I think I will give it a shot.
    Edited by 1 at 14/08/08 @ 17:00

  • Slurmseh #36 4 years ago

    As a die hard PES fan its killing me to see this series go to shit! Fifa has come on leaps and bounds and my money could be going to EA this year :(

  • gaselite #37 4 years ago

    About fucking time. I'll have to see some of it before I commit to anything though.

  • gaselite #38 4 years ago

    Incidentally, am I the only one that wishes that either of these games would introduce a five-a-side mode, without the fifa street cartoon stylings behind it, and using the same controls as the normal game?

    I reckon that could be great fun. Mix things up a bit.

  • asharkman #39 4 years ago

    I'm waiting for multiple reviews before i go out and buy this. I might just turn to Fifa. I played the euro fifa game and it's very good.
    As for that dudde thinking of buying 2008. Don't bother. buy the euro2008 game if your gonna buy anything.

  • TheMoonRat #40 4 years ago

    Does this mean there will be the return of 2v2 games like there used to be in pro evo 6? (2 people per team controlling as many players)

  • jdhaigh #41 4 years ago

    Having played it since ISS Pro 98' I never would have thought I'd see the day when FIFA would overtake Pro Evo, yet I think this years edition might just be the one. Thats coming from someone who hates FIFA!

  • jontam #42 4 years ago

    Pro Evo has been absolute shit since the 4th and I expect this to be no different.

  • Bumbuliuz #43 4 years ago

    So far the screenshots havent been anything spectacular. I used to love PES but in the last few years their quality has suffered. Cant belive myself saying I will probably be playing Fifa 09 than this one. Unless the demo sells me on the changes, witch I doubt it will I sad to say.

  • ScottyXTUK #44 4 years ago

    Yawn, same old crap each year, about this time we get all the hype for both PES and Fifa. Neither will be that revolutionary, aside from a few gameplay tweaks and slightly better visuals.


    It's crazy how these games get released each year, pretty much similar to the previous year's attempt and we all go out and buy them.
    Edited by 3 at 14/08/08 @ 19:19

  • Tweakmonkey #45 4 years ago

    What do people really want from a football game? For me I want good controls, realistic physics and animation with no slow downs and plenty of licensed teams. PES used to deliver on all of these, but then online gaming came along and the goal posts have changed so to speak. If Konami can sort out the net code and servers then that will go a long way to winning back the community.

  • aidey6 #46 4 years ago

    the interview on IGN last year sums up Konamis' Seabass I dont give a flying fcuk attitude as far as I'm concerned, if fifa 09 is as good as they claim, then that's the 1st now current gen football title that i'm going to buy

    [link url=http ://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/827/827315p1.html
    ]http://uk .ps3.ign.com/articles/827/82731...[/link]

    "Seabass: Of course. To be honest I don't think the slow-down is that bad compared to the 360 and as I said, we don't create just a PS3 game, we created both together. But when we compared them directly we were shocked because the PS3 has a little bit more slowdown and we don't really know why"

    how can you not know why your title has slowdown???!!!

  • Waser #47 4 years ago

    @ aidey6

    Well if they new why, it wouldn't have had slow down right?!?!

    My money is on FIFA whipping PES again anyway.

  • Dark_Era #48 4 years ago

    if they take out the R2 special moves button am gonna hate this game for ever, and this is coming from someone who's bought every edition since the original iss

  • RandyKleen #49 4 years ago

    Playing as one player is always boring. Good luck changing that.

  • Zomoniac #50 4 years ago

    Playing as one player is always boring. Good luck changing that.

    I'm guessing you never played through CYC on Euro then.

  • eepic #51 4 years ago

    fuck football anyways even niggers can paly it

  • Physically_Insane #52 4 years ago

    Don't care what you guys think, PES 08 was more fun than FIFA 08.

  • JayeM #53 4 years ago

    Surely Konami must read comments like these and see just how bad their games have been over the last few years. They've lost thousands of fans and all because they continue to use a 6 year old engine.

    EA re-did their game from scratch in 07 and now have a great next-gen engine to power their games for years to come.

  • benstarkie #54 4 years ago

    Only just started playing Fifa 2008 and felt that so much more is put into the game when compared with recent iterations of PES. I guess EA have way more financial muscle (if that is, indeed, what is needed when securing licenses) but Konami seem to put zero effort in. The presentation and modes offered became important as soon as Fifa started 'getting it'. Although I still think Fifa is a little 'laggy' in that players dont play a through ball the moment you press Y. Very frustrating.

    Be a pro is a great addition, not having a DF option with PES09 is beyond stupid. Also would quite like challenges on Pro Evo like with Fifa, really enjoy them (in a frustrating throw-the-controller-out-the-window way)

  • tangerinemenace #55 4 years ago

    "Does this mean there will be the return of 2v2 games like there used to be in pro evo 6? (2 people per team controlling as many players)"

    I hope so, that was the best feature of any of the pes games, what has been put out since has been utter shit, i like many on here have been a die hard supporter since the days of ISS butif they push out more of the same shit then i may too convert to EA.

  • BTBAM #56 4 years ago

    Sounds shit. Fifa will be better, again.

  • HammyWammy #57 4 years ago

    That's great news. PES08 been the best footie sim by far (except the defending issues of cause). I really hope this time they'll add more on-line options & much improved graphics on the players & especially the view of the crowd. And i don't mean limiting the graphics along with the ps2. Good luck guys

  • HammyWammy #58 4 years ago

    lol lol lol I'm right already. This article is just another print off from the ps2

  • Cregser #59 4 years ago

    Wow. Reading the comments here (and more elsewhere) it seems that not only did FIFA 2008 do well last year, but people bought PES2008 and then decided to get FIFA. Instead of testing people's patience by trying to drastically improve gameplay, Konami did the opposite. And now that FIFA is becoming more popular, has done a lot of groundwork gameplay-wise, and hasn't pushed it's fanboy-base away, PES is between a rock and a hard place.

    Do they experiment and alienate the loyal fan(boy)s?
    Or, do they tweak slightly and leak more exasperated fans to FIFA?
    How do they find the balance?

    PES2008 for the Wii was a decent game but I just didn't get addicted to it like normal PESes. I also played the PC and PS3 versions but finally lost patience and rented Euro2008. I found it refreshing and need real persuasion not to get FIFA over PES this year. This press release didn't cut it.

  • amc99 #60 3 years ago

    i hope all the players are at the right clubs because i played the demo and united had no berbatov