PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 PRO
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 SERIES

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 PRO

While it's true that FIFA has been nicking ideas and gameplay from PES over the past few years, the reverse is true this time - PESs Become A Legend mode is a nod to FIFA's Be A Pro mode, that lets you play as one player in a team, building up your stats and progressing from the reserves to the starting line-up. Although arguments will continue as to whether the feature tarnishes the game, I had a rather enjoyable match playing as England vs Argentina, where I managed to get two penalties and Heinze sent off through outrageous cheating. Players still make the odd suicidal pass to the opposition, but the AI can make intelligent runs to create mesmerising link-up play, and allowing devastating through-balls that split defences. The football itself is as fast, playable, addictive, frustrating and exhilarating as usual, slightly tempering the goal-fests of PES 2008, increasing the number of players with unique characteristics (Ronaldo's silky ball-dribbling histrionics for example) and producing games that match their real-life counterparts for goal-mouth incidents and heated pub-talking points.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 focuses on the middle part of its moniker, rather than enjoying a complete revolution of its feature list and gameplay - something that was introduced for the excellent Wii version. So, the '09/10 season is now make-or-break for PES.

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 SERIES

However, last year Konami badly dropped the football with a PES that had shocking slowdown, laggy online play and a feeling that the plucky 'feels like the real thing' series was in danger of being overtaken by a rejuvenated FIFA. Over The Last 10 years I've given Konami's ISS/Pro Evo football titles more of my time than any other game, resulting in several won tournaments, numerous smashed controllers and one rather angry secretly filmed YouTube video (which you can see at / angrypes).

Pro evolution soccer 2008