Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

March 11, 2008 - World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 on
Xbox was, and still is, one of the greatest football games to ever hit
store shelves. It played like football, moved like football, pretty
much everything in Winning Eleven 9 looked and felt like the original
article. It didn't have the glitz and the glamour of the EA Sports
alternative but in the way of purely authentic football fun, there was
simply no equal. The series' first effort on next-gen consoles (which,
at the time, was only Xbox 360) was solid but couldn't compare to what
the gaming public had seen prior. Winning Eleven, like all franchises,
had to go through some growing pains before making another run at the
cup.

A year later and it's 2008, the series has an entirely different name
(now joining its European brethren for some much needed brand synergy),
and fans everywhere are hoping for the football experience that this
generation of consoles deserves. Just recently we got our hands on a
final build of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 and have smelled the freshly
cut grass, listened to the roaring crowds and feel safe in saying that
the champ has returned.


Cristiano takes aim.


Those who have been following EA Sports' FIFA brand on the current
generation of platforms know that it has "borrowed" quite a bit from
the gameplay formula of the former Winning Eleven (now Pro Evolution
Soccer) series. Likewise, Pro Evo 2008 (PES '08 for short) has borrowed
a bit of the visual panache for which EA games are known. It isn't
pulled off with the same Hollywood feel, but the opening cinematic
should clue fans in to the fact that Konami has pumped quite a bit into
making PES '08 as flashy as possible. The menu systems have been
redone, the intros to different modes house some nicely crafted and
highly stylized CG videos, and a more intuitive menu system (at least
somewhat) all comes together to give the package a welcome new look.

The gameplay, on the opposite end of the innovation spectrum, is
actually very reminiscent of what we saw from the last Winning Eleven
on Xbox. Those that have played the series know that is a huge
compliment to the developers. The fluid motion and the overall feeling
of control over the on-field action are back, as is the huge list of
moves that you can pull off. The days of feeling confined to rails or
out of control while dribbling the ball are over thanks to some slight,
yet awesome gameplay tweaks and changes.

As far as features go all of the old favorites are present and
accounted for. You can create your own full roster of players, render
an original uniform and put them through a full season in the Master
League mode. Or you can simply create one player and either throw him
on your favorite team or build up enough points and sign him by use of
the Master League's "negotiations" to sign free agent players. Then
it's time to watch your fledging team or player grow and prosper or
dwindle and fade away. The creation tool is as deep as ever with things
like your player's kicking style and even their athletic peak -- the
point in their career when they'll have the potential to play their
best -- being customizable.


Celebration time!


The Master League mode also lets you play the managerial role for your
would-be powerhouse. You can participate in the aforementioned
negotiations where you can pickup unsigned players for a price or you
can see your team's estimated earnings for the year so you can budget
your spending. There's even a fan snapshot that will rotate to things
like showcasing a dog with your team's flag in its mouth to fans
partying after a big win. These small bits of personality help flesh
out the experience beyond what we've previously seen from the series.
Our only real concern with the structure of the Master League mode
(where most will spend their time) is the development of players, or
lack thereof. We've played through five or six games with our up-start
rookie, scoring at least one goal per game, and his attributes haven't
budged one bit. Hopefully Nate Dog will soon be recognized for the star
that he so clearly is.

Aside from the Master League mode there is also the standard League and
Cup modes. Cup allows you to select from six different cups and enter
up to 32 teams to compete for the goods. The League mode is the
standard single season with your favorite European club team or
international squad. There is, of course, the ability to play with up
to seven players locally (on PS3, four on 360) or head online and
compete against another user from abroad. We've yet to get online with
PES '08, but as soon as we do you'll have our full review.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 appears to be the answer for last year's
slightly disappointing effort. It has the depth that we've previously
seen from the series and packs in the same fluid gameplay and feeling
of control that we've become accustomed to on the last generation of
consoles. The visuals are still the weakest link by far with plenty of
framerate hiccups and rough edges on player models, but those gamers
that can get by the slightly rough exterior will have plenty to enjoy.
It's also interesting to note that PES '08 is retailing for $49.99 on
PS3 and Xbox 360, rather than the usual $59.99. We'll have our full
review of the final product as soon as possible.