Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Review

By Kristan Reed Published 4 April, 2008

Revolutionary.

Version tested: Wii

Playing spot the difference every year can get a bit exasperating when it comes to Pro Evolution Soccer. Especially when the incremental changes somehow conspire to polarise opinion. We all (perhaps naively) imagined that Konami would use next-generation technology to create a footy experience that was not only unassailably realistic, but also technically adept.

On the evidence of the last two PES releases the truth, somewhat depressingly, is that Konami is stuck in a bit of a rut. With niggly gameplay issues compounded by dreadfully borked online play and an ongoing failure to resolve the licensing and presentation issues, the franchise's dominant position among the hardcore is facing a bigger threat than ever.

After this recent loss of momentum, the last thing we expected was for the Wii version to turn out to be the most innovative football title in recent memory. For a format more readily associated with dire mini-game compilations and loveless ports, we certainly weren't pinning any hopes on Konami doing anything more than porting the PS2 version across with novelty controls. How wrong can you be?

By putting an entirely different team on the project, the shackles are off and Konami has produced a title that plays to the system's strengths in all manner of interesting and effective ways - some of which could well have a key influence on how football games develop from now on.

'Pro Evolution Soccer 2008' Screenshot 1

Be prepared to adapt to a more holistic footballing approach. Much like a Liverpool fan, really.

Booting the game up for the first time, the omens aren't all that good. Kicking off with a long-winded training camp tutorial isn't usually a promising sign. It flies in the face of the perceived wisdom that Wii games need to appeal to the lowest common denominator and have simplified controls that anyone can pick up and play. PES 2008 on Wii demands you pay close attention to a fair number of subtle tricks and tactics in order to tap into the degree of depth the game offers.

In short, the entire process of only being in direct control of an individual player has pretty much gone out of the window, replaced by a system more akin to being an arrow-wielding Andy Gray on Sky Sports. Effectively you're an all-seeing tactician in control of a live match. You have the ability to direct the flow of play, often using several players at once.

On a basic level, the Wii remote allows you to make players pass with instant precision. An on-screen targeting reticule lets you dictate the positioning of runs, passes, shots, crosses, tackles and the like. Within a matter of minutes you feel in control of the game in a unique way.

'Pro Evolution Soccer 2008' Screenshot 2

Shortly after this shot was taken, 'Lord' Cisse's legs both exploded.

Simple actions like running and dribbling are done by pointing the remote at where you want the player to go and pressing the A button. Click once on a particular spot and the player will go there, but hold down the A button and you'll carry out what's known as a Pull Dribble. You can make the arrow longer for extra pace, while a pass is carried out with the B button. Players are intelligent enough to run into space if you decide not to pass directly to them. For shots, clearances and headers a well-timed swing of the nunchuk will do the trick, while a swing of the remote results in a chip.

To begin with at least, this new sense of freedom is a little overwhelming, but slowly some of the subtleties start to dawn on you, and in no time at all you're able to pull off quite complex manoeuvres such as overlapping runs, clever passes into space and smug set-piece routines that would have previously taken an age to master. On an attacking level, the game works like a charm and makes it far easier to string together slick moves and runs than was ever previously possible. Once you factor in the more advanced moves possible with the stick involved (such as jinking past your opponent by pulling down at the right moment as you perform a pull dribble), you really can start to slap some football pie in your opponent's face.

Unfortunately, it's a far harder game to master defensively. Simple actions like sliding tackles and pressuring the attacking player are tricky initially. The idea is that you're able to hold down Z and swing the nunchuk to slide, or simply click on the players you want to put pressure on the man in possession - but it's never quite that easy. The onus appears to be much more on the player on the ball, and more often than not you'll probably find yourself regaining possession because of an unforced error than your own defensive might.

Of course, with practice you'll improve your defensive game - but then your opponent's ability to pass accurately will improve too. The result is a game that's likely to see an avalanche of goals compared to most football titles released in recent years. Put it this way: even when you're playing badly, goal-scoring chances aren't exactly hard to come by.

As with the other versions of 2008, PES Wii suffers from licensing nonsense and tired commentary, but hey - it does boast more stadiums (30, in total). Technically, the PES engine is arguably better suited to the lesser demands of the Wii, and as such, the likenesses and animation seem to fit better than the somewhat sterile look on the beefier systems. This is especially noticeable during the excellent replay system. Nice, also, to see Wayne Rooney officially has more freckles than any football player in history. We're freckle sympathists here at Eurogamer. Long live the ginger gene.

Konami has really made an effort to ensure the online capabilities of the game work as they should. Despite the fact that the Wii isn't the easiest machine around to get an online game going on, finding a suitable opponent was a piece of cake, and we had probably the most lag-free matches we've ever encountered on any football game. Playable either with friends (via the convoluted Wii friends code system) or random strangers, it's simple to get matches going, and extremely straightforward to make tactical changes thanks to a new drag and drop system (complete with comedy caricatures of your team).

'Pro Evolution Soccer 2008' Screenshot 3

You can almost hear Hansen howling in dismay.

If you're all on your lonesome, though, the game also sports a one-season League mode, as well as the more involving Champion's Road mode, where you get a chance to build up player stats and acquire opposition players if you beat them. Often you'll also find yourself having to complete certain 'missions' to progress, such as completing 20 short passes during a game and so on. Cunningly, you can also send your match data to a friend, and take the battle to them if you fancy duelling with your offline single-player team. Nice touch.

All things considered, PES 2008 is a fine addition to the Wii and certainly the most innovative football title we've come across in many years. The wonderfully intuitive control system makes it feel like a different game altogether, and certainly not the tired port many feared it would end up being. Setting aside some slight issues with the defensive aspect, what's on offer here is an excellently free-flowing game of football. It's well worth buying, even if you own it on another system.

8 / 10

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Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (59) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • killest #1 4 years ago

    might have to get a wii now..... pes has been dead since 04

    edit: by that i mean wii pes seems to be the most interesting footy game for a long time.
    Edited by 1 at 04/04/08 @ 11:55

  • kenbrilliant #2 4 years ago

    Been playing this since Saturday now. It really is a totally radical approach to footy games - forget everything you have learned from previous Pro Evos. Online play works a treat and offers probably the best entertainment on your tod, and the Champions Road has some nice touches, and it really is that easy to score spectacular goals on the end of beautiful passing moves.

    BUT the defending can be EXCEPTIONALLY frustrating, especially against somebody very adept at passing. If you're like me and can't stand not having the ball, it can get really grating when the wrong player runs to meet an attacker, or your seemingly perfectly timed pass interception run results in you giving the ball straight back to the passer.

    Great fun overall; I expect 2009 to sort out the defence issues.

  • seasidebaz #3 4 years ago

    well that was a shock! i was expecting this to be pants! and instead, it sounds like one of the best footie games ever!

    may pick it up tonight then, £30 in tesco's

  • K-Project #4 4 years ago

    Great review, but I'm finding myself disagreeing with people's sentiments regarding defence in this game the more I play it. It takes time, but I think once you're into this version, you begin to understand what they were trying to achieve with this approach, and it definitely gets easier.

    I'm a huge fan of the PES series on PS2, and expected to not really warm to this. Sure enough first impressions are not so good. But I gave it the time and I have to say I'm absolutely in love with it. It's a culture shock at first for sure, and that will put some old fans off, but if you let it it will take over your life just like the series used to do.

    I can't wait for the next version.

  • malteaserhead #5 4 years ago

    spot-on review and score imo.
    Makes a really nice change but isn't perfect. Well worth trying out for slightly jaded footy fans.

  • mingster #6 4 years ago

    Shoots and scores..
    was expected this to miss wide.

  • JackyB #7 4 years ago

    always been a PES Man. recently tried Fifa on 360, and it beats PES 360 hands down as it has become a dribble fest, and Fifa is the far more realistic game (never thought I'd say it). But This wii version Rocks. For the near future I think its Fifa on 360 and Pro Evo on Wii for me. "Traditional" PES needs to pull its finger out!
    Edited by 1 at 04/04/08 @ 12:11

  • bigbadbeasty #8 4 years ago

    Picked this up today.

    Really looking forward to testing it out!

  • rock27gr #9 4 years ago

    What I would like to know is how good is the 2 player mode? (not online)

    I know many people that enjoy playing VS tournaments every so often, and this is the only use they make of their PES (and PS2).

    Is this it as satisfying in 2 player VS as the regular edition? And how likely is it that casual gamers like that will be put off by the new intricacies of the game?

  • secombe #10 4 years ago

    Defending is far better than most would give it credit it for, it just takes time. No mention of shooting though, which is a bit odd considering it's the most random aspect of the entire game.

    I also think the menus are painfully complex, and the manual doesn't explain any of the symbols used (I still have no idea what the condition arrows mean), not good for a PES newbie.

    Fantastic game though, best football game for many years.

  • Carbon_Altered #11 4 years ago

    As I've mentioned on the forum thread, when defending, don't just concentrate on the man with the ball. Make sure you mark all the attacking players he may pass to (A button on them) then when the pass is made, hold down Z and the player marking the pass recipient will step forward and try to intercept the ball. Timing is critical, but defending isn't as random as it first appears.

  • Snooz #12 4 years ago

    "Fiiinally my hand geschures are anderstood by my blayers"

    -Benitez

  • jonsaan #13 4 years ago

    This just sounds godawful. I need to try it I think.

    However, I'm just not keen. For me, Pro Evo is one of the most sublimely playable games ever made, the control you have and the skills you can develop are staggering. It really doesn't need to change. The problem now is that Konami may just bork our beloved game because of this tard version.

    Yes it may be fun, but it sounds like defence is a mess and scoring is easy (reading the review anyway). Any other new footy game would be taken apart for such basic faults. Not the Wii version though huh?

  • JackyB #14 4 years ago

    Jonsaan "Regular" PES peaked ages ago for me, and the 2208 version just does not inspire. Far too arcadey for my liking.

    rock27gr. The 2 player mode is fantastic. Had 2 sessions with my bro, and its really nice. On the down side though, the casual will defo be put off. My mate made a snap judgement after one half. I doubt he will play again :(

  • Ranger101 #15 4 years ago

    This is great. If you have a Wii and are remotely interested any of the following (these interests can be mutually exclusive), buy it:

    Football

    PES

    Football Manager games

    Real Time Strategy games (if you're an RTS fan, but don't like footy, it's still damn good) (If you're a footy fan but don't like RTS's, its still good cos you can pretend it's not an RTS fairly easily).

    Good Games

    Shouting at the TV when the footy is on and complaining about "why the fuck wont that midfielder move across the fucking pitch so he can feed the ball to the striker who can easily move into that little sweet spot inside the opposition's defence and score a fucking goal for fucks sake."

  • Ranger101 #16 4 years ago

    jonsaan it really is fun fun fun.

    It's a different approach to footy games. We've always had the FIFA '95 model of play in various guises for such a long time, where the focus was on the individual players and idea was to make the player feel as though they were that player, despite being controlled by a controller. So you always felt removed, no matter how subtle or precise the controller controls became in the later PES and FIFA games, simply cos you weren't using your feet to control the player.

    This game is more akin to treating you as a spectator of the match who has control of what is happening, and really feels a lot more suitable. You're now using parts of your body that make more sense to your role in the game, and you control the team as a whole - you get really enjoyable matches going, and its even fun to watch someone else play too, unlike the traditional games.

    Lets face it, we've done the traditional footy game to death, you can't take them anywhere else anymore, hence the retarded yearly updates that change nothing but a few minor details. PES Wii is definately a brand new branch of Sports gameplay (I can see this style of control moving to rugby, basketball and american footy games).

    And, if anything else, just to make you feel secure, this game could only be done on the Wii (and maybe even the PC and DS), so PES going forwards on the traditional consoles won't change. It's okay, you can enjoy tweaked linesmans and offside rules in PES 2009 without having to worry about learning a new system.
    Edited by 1 at 04/04/08 @ 12:47

  • Waffleaber #17 4 years ago

    Gave this a little play before heading out last night and found the controls quite easy to get used to, on a basic level anyway, and was comfortable with them by the end of my first game.

    My only concern right now is that in my third game on the champions road I won 10-0 on the 3 star difficulty. Hopefully the game is just easing me in because the difficulty curve is starting off REAL low.

  • PlugMonkey #18 4 years ago

    This just sounds godawful. I need to try it I think.

    However, I'm just not keen. For me, Pro Evo is one of the most sublimely playable games ever made, the control you have and the skills you can develop are staggering. It really doesn't need to change. The problem now is that Konami may just bork our beloved game because of this tard version.

    Oh, ffs! Did you read the same article as me? How is the most innovative football game in ages the 'tard version'?

  • Muddtallica #19 4 years ago

    This sounds great; exactly what I'd always hoped the Wii could provide, namely fresh, innovative new twists on stale old genres. I do hope this sells well, though; the message needs to get out to developer worldwide that investing time and thought into Wii development DOES reap creative and financial dividends, so that hopefully in the future we'll see more games like this and fewer Game Partys or Cruis'ns...

  • gingerlink #20 4 years ago

    "Long live the ginger gene"

    Hell yeah!

  • Les #21 4 years ago

    Sounds very enticing! Maybe I'll give in to my girlfriend and get her another time waster for her birthday... ;)

  • Santino #22 4 years ago

    "For me, Pro Evo is one of the most sublimely playable games ever made,the control you have and the skills you can develop are staggering""

    thats what myself and many of my friends thought might be the case until we tried this version of the game. you mention control, but this is the version where you have complete control over your team and players and it actually makes the 'old' pro evo seem almost limiting even. In this game when you score a well worked and planned goal, you feel like you were in control of each and every part of the move and every player, this just cannot be replicated with the regular controls.

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #23 4 years ago

    This sounds great; exactly what I'd always hoped the Wii could provide, namely fresh, innovative new twists on stale old genres. I do hope this sells well, though; the message needs to get out to developer worldwide that investing time and thought into Wii development DOES reap creative and financial dividends, so that hopefully in the future we'll see more games like this and fewer Game Partys or Cruis'ns...

    +1

    I'm intrigued by this, despite not being the biggest footie game fan, but the best thing about it is that it shows a developer thinking intelligently about the platform and crafting a game to it's strengths.

  • Tonka #24 4 years ago

    Played it
    Love it
    8/10 seems a fair score for this first attempt. I reckon future versions will score even higher.

  • jonsaan #25 4 years ago

    @Santino

    But it sounds more like tactical management than playing a footy game. Anyway I am going to give it a try. No point in me whinging until I've tried it. I actually don't like real footy much, but I've always really liked Pro Evo purely for the great gameplay. To give you some idea of my take on the genre.

    And in response to the other chap who didn't like my use of 'tard' version. I meant the fact that it has lost key features like the masterleague etc.

    I am also very scared to read that someone here won a game 10-0 when they first got it. Sounds like a FIFA scoreline..

  • McLovin85 #26 4 years ago

    i'm a big PES fan and i have to say i am tempted to buy a wii (or at least find somewhere to play PES Wii) as this truely does look like an amazingly innovative approach to football games in general.
    This is definitely up there with games tempting me to buy a Wii along with SSB, Mario Kart, SMG.

  • Tonka #27 4 years ago

    @rock27gr 2 player locally is just as fun as any other 2 player locally. I was worried that being able to see what the other guy was doing would mess it up. But it makes defending a bit easier (defendig is a bit weak) and you are usually too occupied finding free players and planning stuff to waste time on where your friend has his controller.

    As for scaring "casuals" I'd say it is more "casual" friendly than other PESes. The controls are perplexing but inviting. Bright arrows and point and clicking felt more appetizing to me than old-fashioned PES controls. We have PES for the Xbox at the office and I never bothered with it. I've played plenty of this though

  • Wyrm #28 4 years ago

    Not played this, but the idea of being able to control a team rather than an individual is something that needs to have been explored in football games for years and years.

  • Progguitarist #29 4 years ago

    Scoring is easy if you are playing against a complete bufoon. I played my mate several times last night and after a few trouncings he finally started to understand the concept of marking every player. Our next few games were much tighter with very few goals conceded. Learning to cancel, play the offside trap and timing interceptions is crucial to defending properly.

    Best footy game Ive ever played.

  • Lemming81 #30 4 years ago

    When I first heard about this control system months ago on Kotaku, I had a feeling it would be pretty great. Nice one.

  • Progguitarist #31 4 years ago

    Keepers are fine, I dont notice much of a difference. The shooting might appear to be random but theres definitly an element of timing to ensure shots are accurate.

  • viper_h #32 4 years ago

    Can you play 2-player co-op online, like mario strikers?

    If so, I'll have to get this.

  • MrChuckles #33 4 years ago

    Hmm first game on the Wii that has interested me...

  • don81 #34 4 years ago

    waxbrazillian, they are well impressive, i've now got all 3 consoles, oops! I have to say i have been playing my wii more than my PS3, as lng as you get the high rated games they are superb, loving Mario Galaxy! And pro is great so refreshing!

  • The-Bodybuilder #35 4 years ago

    I'm with mr chuckles on this one.

    Now I actually want a wii.

  • quantumsheep #36 4 years ago

    Need to give this more time (maybe this weekend?) - at the moment it's still a bit confusing and frantic for me.

    Great control scheme though that, as has been mentioned, actually plays to the console's strengths. Nice one Konami.

  • Buggs #37 4 years ago

    I agree with most of the posts on here. Other games have tempted me slightly but this is the first one that really makes me want a Wii.

    I am a huge PES fan and even liked the most recent ones once I got the hang of them. The new control system scares me though. I think I'm pretty good at PES, having played the series since the first ISS on PSone. What if I'm crap with the new controls? I don't think I could handle it.

    More seriously though, is the gamplay still like PES? Is the flow of the game, player movements, physics etc. still PES through-and-through, or does the whole match/gameplay experience feel different? I guess what I'm saying is that if someone gave you the game for the first time without telling you what it was, would you say "This is Prov with a new control system" or would you think it was a completely different game (regardless of the front end and the commentary).
    Edited by 2 at 04/04/08 @ 14:27

  • Loser #38 4 years ago

    @ JackyB

    PES 2208? I bet the commentary is still mince.... :)

  • don81 #39 4 years ago

    Buggs,
    It's still pro at heart just tweaked a bit for the better, so much freedom, went back to fifa and didn't like fifa cause i couldn't just pass it literally any where.

  • Buggs #40 4 years ago

    Cool. Well something certainly needed to change. I would have been happy with a new version on PS3 but with all the same features of the PS2 version. I haven't bought PES 2008 on the PS3 because of this (and online being so bad). But now I want a Wii.

    The advert sold this to me last night without me even having to read a review. Ian Wright could sell me my own hand as a shit shovel if he felt so inclined.
    Edited by 1 at 04/04/08 @ 14:53

  • don81 #41 4 years ago

    Although i will say you either love it or will hate it, luckily i think most people love it. I do. But you will have to learn the controls as they are a total change. My bro had a go and he hated it, but he is cr@p at games, he could see why people love it, but it just never quite clicked.
    Edited by 1 at 04/04/08 @ 14:53

  • Buggs #42 4 years ago

    @ Loser

    But we should have the 'big 4' premiership teams licensed by then. Aston Villa will still be called West Midlands Village.

  • djed #43 4 years ago

    ahh, who cares about licensing? the made-up names are usually a lot more fun than the real ones (which im sick of hearing about anyway). West Midlands Village > Aston Villa.

    I fondly remember International Superstar Soccer on the N64, it was awesome! This sounds a lot like it, only with slightly better graphics (ouch). Too bad it seems to be missing ISS' maniacal commentator :)

  • K-Project #44 4 years ago

    Agree djed. If I had to choose where Konami's money went, I'd take gameplay improvement any day over the licensing. It'd be nice to see it, but I won't lose any sleep. There's no reason for them to put such a poor edit mode in though. Expect better on that score next time Konami. I simply have to be able to put my beloved Owls into PES!

    I'm still absolutely loving this, I really am, but I can see the limitations of the Champions Road now. I think they either need to seriously expand on it for next year, or have that and also the Master League too. Wouldn't hurt would it? But still, this is tremendous stuff.

    The bar has been raised indeed!

  • secombe #45 4 years ago

    Get the feeling a load of the usual "another shite game on the Wii" trolls visited this review ready to post another 'amusing comment', then had a double take at the score and quietly left to harrass someone else.

    Nothing else to explain the relatively few comments for what must be the most revolutionary sports title on any next gen system.

  • smelly #46 4 years ago

    As everyone else gets upset by review scores.. i'll give it a go..

    I couldnt see any real negativity in the whole review.. so why 8/10 and not 9?

  • BM #47 4 years ago

    All it needs is a more considered approach to the defending, and map a shooting button (such as z) and they are there.

    Really well thought out, different approach. And a helluva lot of fun to boot.

  • Sid-Nice #48 4 years ago

    An excellent review and some good contributions from the E/G clan; I share the same view as K-Project where defending is concerned, the only problem I have with the game is…

    My son absolutely loves it and I’m having difficulty getting a game.

  • huxathon #49 4 years ago

    first time in my life i've been interested in a football game.

  • driptray #50 4 years ago


    Brilliant game, although I would have preferred more feedback - like a rumble - when you highlight a player, and when you select a player to do something; at the moment it's a bit hit and miss.

  • DoKtoR #51 4 years ago

    Its about damn time a developer made a football game thats different... I think the genre's been getting stale for years with little to no innovation from either EA or Konami... deserves a 10/10 just for being slightly original!

  • JayScott #52 4 years ago

    I can't wait to pick this up, though who knows when Australia might actually see it...

    EDIT: Apparently at the end of this week. Awesome!
    Edited by 1 at 07/04/08 @ 01:06

  • Davemanz #53 4 years ago

    My only real gripe is the lack of licensing. I'm an American, and as much as I love your football, It's hard to follow the EPL, so when the lack of licensing means that Chelsea and Arsenal are "London North" and "London Blue" or something like that, I have a hard time knowing which one each is supposed to be. That being said, I'm sure I could really really easily figure it out if I took the time, but I'm a Barca fan, and they're licensed, so what does it matter?

  • addyb #54 4 years ago

    Got this game a couple of weeks ago and its superb! PES was getting a bit stale but konami have done a great job re inventing the formula for wii!

    Id say this is the best footy game since sensi soccer on the amiga! I love it!

  • viper_h #55 4 years ago

    [link url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Pro-E volution-Soccer-5-Real-Names-38304.shtml
    ]http://ne ws.softpedia.com/news/Pro-Evolu...[/link]

    That link might be useful to you Davemanz.

  • Lemming81 #56 4 years ago

    I've always wondered why, when licensing issues are concerned they don't just include an editor so you can change the names of the players and teams yourself? Seems like it would be an easy way around it...

    Maybe I'm just being naive however. there would be less incentive to get next year's title if that were the case.
    Edited by 1 at 07/04/08 @ 12:23

  • Davemanz #57 4 years ago

    Thanks a lot, viper_h, that'll make it a lot easier. :D

  • Lemming81 #58 4 years ago

    @WaxBrazillian:

    I had no idea! That's excellent news. Thanks for that :)

  • 8bitMofo #59 4 years ago

    Haven't bothered with the franchise since PES2/3... sounds like I need to get back into it now.