Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 Comments by Tom Bramwell

I expected this....but still a Great game

Hmm

Oh noes! The FIFA / PES fanboys are coming. :O

Fair review. Can't wait till my copy arrives next week.

Convinced my mate to buy Fifa 09 but he hates it and still prefers pro evo and is even gonna trade in fifa for the new evo, madness!

OUCH!!.... well, there's always FIFA, I guess

Still can't wait for this

or "buck your ideas up Konami you lazy sods" to save reading through that. Still preferred it to FIFA, but I don't know why. Strange.

There are just some people who like what they know.

Despite how old and tired it gets.

Just got my copy now and will be having a peek tonight.

Guess I'll give this one a miss, too.

Seems to be a fair review. Konami just dont seem to be trying as hard as FIFA at the moment, and it shows, in my opinion.

I'm too used, and still enjoy, Pes's brand of football that I feel it's too late to change now. However, I do wish Konami would pull their finger out. It all started going downhill when they went multiplatform.

Not as good as [please add your choice of game here] then.

I don't think multiplatform has anything to do with it, I think it's just laziness. There really isn't a years worth of change in this years version over last years. They've listened to fans complaints, and pulled their fingers out with changes to pace, online etc, but it's not enough. Everyone seems to think PES 2010 will be a brand new game. Can't see it happening to be fair. This is PES' last chance in my eyes :(

Can you still save replays in PES?

Having played both demo's I have to say that I preferred Pro Evo. But then I always have (except 06 and 8 - which were both crap). Fifa's come along way and is a better value package, but it just doesn't play as nicely as Pro Evo.

That said I wont be buying either of them this year, just dont have the time to for a footy game with all the other good games about.

Good and fair review thanks EG

Edit: It really is about time that they did a total overhaul on PES, I may then consider buying a PES again

What is the best pro evo? i have 5 on xbox was going to get this but ive heard pro evo 6 is good

It is clear (as suggested in the review) that FIFA is technically a much better game (better ball physics, player movement ect).

However, having played both, despite these deficiencies, i still get more enjoyment ot of PES. I have no idea why, but each individual match just seems more entertaining. More exciting stuff seems to happen. PES still gets the blood pumping more than FIFA can.

I'm still not sure which (if either to buy this year). I will probably wait for the devotees to sort out the option file, then make a decision.

The 10vs10 online sounds awsome, but everone knows how to play PES these days, so that might be better for single screen multiplayer.

I JUST DON'T KNOW \o/

Luckyjim: I agree with that. Wish it still was PS exclusive.
Still, I really loved the feel of the demo (felt like things were back to the PES I love) and even tho I admit FIFA was a very solid game this year, there's no way I'm 'switching sides' as it were. I just prefer the PES way of playing football, and I don't see myself playing a footie game that doesn't have the Master League. Seriously one of the best singler player modes.

I think the criticism pertaining to the player liknesses was harsh tho. All the players (except for Benayoun perhaps) were spot on. FIFA didn't impress me in that area, despite being way superior in the presentation stakes, but then in FIFA you have to stomach that horrible voice at the beginning 'T's in the game!' - I absolutely hate that guy, hehe.

Looking forward to my copy very much. I see myself spending months on this.

"What is the best pro evo? i have 5 on xbox was going to get this but ive heard pro evo 6 is good"

Pro Evo 5 is the best. Pro Evo 6 they introduced the helium ball, whereby a slight touch in front of goal could launch it out of the stadium

i've played both now for a bit, and i still love PES. Yesm the animations and the visuals arent as impressive, but thats because they've made the gameplay FAR more accessible and therefore just more FUN. Having lovely "Disney-esque" animations, where its nice and fluid, is all very well and looks great, but my god its no where near as responsive or direct as PES. There are some sacrifices Konami have made, and clearly they've gone for gameplay first, which is great in my opinion.

They are both very good games, one is more simulation but with poo ball physics (FIFA), and one is great to play but with poo visuals (PES)....i still choose PES

8.5/10 for me for PES
7.5/10 for me for FIFA.

:)

Pro Evo 5 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of pro evo, and its hard to doubt..

One of the best reviews i have read on this site for a while. Well done EG :)

Nice review, seems a fair score, even if it is odd that it scores less this year than last year's borked up PS3 version despite actually being "much better" according to the reviewer. I guess that's just down to different people reviewing the games? Pah, review scores, eh... who needs 'em? LOL

Whatever... I'm very happy with this year's FIFA and have opted not to buy PES 2009 until next year as there's simply too many other games out between now and Chrimbo. I'll pick it up cheap in the New Year's sales I think when I'm bored.

don't wanna be picky about the review coz its very good, but

"PES's answer to FIFA's Be a Pro mode (and its online counterpart) is weaker, too."

In fairness to Pro Evo, it had this mode first. Its been in the Japanese version for years, they didn't think we'd go for it which is why they've never included it before. Since its done alright in FIFA they've decided to actually put it in over here.

This year has been the hardest for choosing out of the two, I've been a loyal PES player for years but I've come very close to getting FIFA09 this year. Think I'll stick with Pro for now, and see if FIFA2010 can convince me to switch sides! : )

@Darren

My sentiments exactly mate. This is the first yr i haven't bought PES on release i've lost a bit of faith in it now. Hopefully Konami will realise when they're revenue for this game drops that it's time to seriously re-vamp it from the bottom up. And i mean a real revamp not a seabass "It's been re-worked from the ground up (cough, bullshit, cough) "

"Can you still save replays in PES?"

Yes, but the replays don't say when they were scored or what difficulty they were scored on.

My football game playing mates all agree that FIFA is easily the slicker looking game and in fact better, in many ways. I also converted most of them years ago to PES, so maybe it's a case of old habits die hard. As much as I try, I always come back to the (now) relatively arcade feel that PES has. Maybe I'll convert next year... ;)

Either way, PES should be here tomorrow, followed by big bash at my mate's on Friday. Get your money ready!!

/doesn't condone gambling

Last years psp version was better than either fifa or PES on the big boys consoles. When is the new PES psp out?

"Dirk Kuyt's stamina stat is reassuringly mental, even if he does look like a dead-eyed Gary Busey."

What other kind of Gary Busey is there?

I don't understand how you can rank one above the other unless you are allowing FIFA suddenly providing a competent alternative to sway you. FIFA has drastically improved (since 07, not so much from 08), of that there is no doubt, but it had to because it was a poor second. PES might not have improved that much but frankly it did not need to. Some might legitimately complain about PEs standing still but I think we can forgive them a few years when you consider what their rival has being doing for decades. To suddenly whine is a severe case of double standards. Cut out the BS and compare them side by side and PES, in terms of gameplay, is still ahead. FIFA, in terms of presentation, is still ahead. Little has changed in that respect. PES 08 was a poor PES for many reasons but the majority of the issues that plagued it have been sorted. Examples include reducing the speed and vastly improving the defense to actively block passing and running channels in order to rid the game of the 'hero run'. Say whatever you want but PES is still the football simulation as opposed to FIFA and the cheap 'perfect' goals any moron is awarded thanks to the finesse shot button. I could ramble on as I own both (at least I will when the Billy Connolly double that is my postie can be bothered to deliver PES - my friend lives 10 minutes away and his was delivered yesterday!) but there are pros and cons to each. Ultimately it comes down to what you want from a game. If you want a quick casual game which looks good and operates with an idealist view of football then FIFA is for you. If you want a game that more accurately reflects football but is therefore less fun to quickly pick up and play and also weaker in terms of presentation then go with PES. This year you will not lose out either way, which is a refreshing thing to be able to write.

I'm not sure why multiplatform release = decline in quality. If anything, it should ensure an even tighter QA.

I'd also like to add that despite the reviewer's criticism of PES 2009's AI, I usually find PES's to be better than FIFA, even this year's game, as that game still has players standing around waiting for the ball instead of moving toward it. This problem doesn't seem to be anywhere near as bad in PES and players in general move and act more like real footballers. Also passing feels more accurate than the sometimes haphazard one of FIFA. It can be annoying and results in the ball pinging unrealistically back and forth between players as you attempt to get the ball back! They're some of the reasons I buy both games, PES is better for multiplayer, being faster and more arcadey, and FIFA is more suited to the solo player, thanks to the licenses (I've never liked the unrealistic structure of PES's Master mode personally and I can't play as Hull City in that game either).

While FIFA is much improved in terms of gameplay and physics, it's still not perfect and I feel that it could learn a thing or two from PES as far as AI is concerned. That's just my opinion though.... there's room for improvement in both games.

@jonsaan I agree on psp version being very very good. load times still rankle a little tho.

A lot of people rave about the wii version too... Konami not investing enough to adequately cover XBX360/PS3 methinks?

I really like the new Fifa, but it's still PES for me. (Strictly playstation though, I can't play it with the 360 controller!)
Fifa's animation is fluid and very good looking, but it still feels slow and sluggish.
Apart from that I think there's still more depth and control within PES than Fifa.

But.. I honestly cannot understand why they can't make a good looking friggin football game!
How hard is it?! Make a good looking pitch, dangit!

POS 2009, amarite?

Wow this is gradually going down hill from year to year.

fair comments people.....

but i forgot to mention one more thing.....

PES has a soul, a real character behind the game....

FIFA doesnt, despite its "bling bling".

Now, i better get my copy of PES..... And i am a brit in Canada!..... :S

Uh oh.

Dilema time.
I have always stuck with EVO but after playing the FIFA demo and a mate raving out it who is also a EVO fanatic...its a testing time thats for sure. I reckon I will stick with EVO. I prefered the demo over FIFA, so I will stay loyal I think.

At last, a reviewer who does what we all want - compares PES and FIFA directly in the review, throughout. It really pisses me off when other sites review, say, FIFA, and hardly mention PES in the review (or vice-versa). After all, they are what we all try to choose between!

Still going to plump for PES though, perhaps for the last time especially if FIFA's controls get tightened up next year. FIFA is so nearly there, but it just doesn't quite perform as well as PES on the pitch. Not quite. Next year, on the other hand...

I was expecting a 7 whilst reading the text and hiding the score (TEHE).

/salutes PES

Relieved of duty.

@Feanor - Cheers :)

Fair enough review, although the abscence of any mention of the ability to import MP3 chants and menu music, as well as the exstensive edit mode is a little disapointing. But then that would change the balance of the review, wouldn't it?

Munchuster Utd v Totenheim hopturps.

No thankyou!

@ andywilkie35

Good point. Another thing I do not get is belittling PES's BAL as being inferior while completely ignoring the obvious flaw in FIFA's 'be a 'pro', just not for too long' mode. It could more accurately be called 'one season wonder' mode...

Having spent quality time with FIFA and with the PES demo, I bought PES. With PES, the team names and transfers are pretty much a non-issue when you consider the strength of the editing community. I personally think that PES looks better (apart from the animations); all the players in FIFA look like creepy hunchbacks.

My personal tips for PES apostates (fwiw):
Set up controllers for FIFA exactly like PES, 15 years using square to shoot just cannot be relearned. Also, this way if PES09 turns out to be decent in a few months, going back is possible.
Forget about all the skill stuff on L2 + the other stick - using just the "PES" tactics works wonders (speaking for charlton athletic on world class)
Play at world class or legendary (but I keep loosing on legend) :( AI seems very solid, though I do hit the bar more often than should be necessary!

Bear in mind the EG boys have always been strictly in the Pro Evo camp, so for their review to basically say its shitter than FIFA, it must be bad :)

tesodosbichos
15-Oct-08 14:48:05
@ andywilkie35

Good point. Another thing I do not get is belittling PES's BAL as being inferior while completely ignoring the obvious flaw in FIFA's 'be a 'pro', just not for too long' mode. It could more accurately be called 'one season wonder' mode...
_________
Except it lasts for 4 years...