However, the high standard of this year’s iterations of PES and FIFA have made a previously easy decision, a tough one to call. After the car crash that was PES 2008 and the continually rampant mediocrity of the FIFA series, virtual football fans will now find themselves spoilt for choice with 2009’s superlative offerings – FIFA’s sterling effort proving a particularly pleasant surprise (see our review for the full skinny) given 08’s utter rubbishness. Konami’s 2009 effort is also a vast improvement upon last year’s comparatively shoddy showing, which presents players with a fortunate conundrum. Which one to buy? Both are great, but hopefully by the end of this review, you’ll have a clearer idea of which game is more suitable for you. And if you haven’t already rushed out and bought one of the two games already, we’re here to help you make an informed choice.
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| Goalies are capable of acrobatic leaps, making scoring tough | The default camera in 'Become A Legend' adapts to give you the best view |
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is far more like the streamlined, well-presented football game that you may have fallen in love with on PlayStation 2. Superb graphics, pitch-perfect passing, a firm emphasis on tactics and the all-consuming Master League are all present and correct, but somehow there’s the distinct feeling that the series is beginning to tread water. This year, EA have really excelled with FIFA 09, bringing not only a tight and realistic game of football to the table, but also the superb ‘Be A Pro’ mode, which allows you to step into the sweaty boots of a created player or any existing pro player. PES 2009 rips off this entire feature wholesale with its very own take, entitled ‘Become A Legend’. Hmm. Coincidence? Certainly not. It’s a worrying sign that Konami are perhaps running low on ideas, although it must be noted that the ‘Become A Legend’ mode is a welcome, if fairly lightweight addition.
Also new this year is the UEFA Champions League license, signifying a huge step in the right direction for PES, injecting a much-needed dose of authenticity to the proceedings. Although the re-heated PES 2008 commentary does little to reinforce the air of realism with Mark Lawrenson’s phoned-in mumblings providing an intermittent source of unintentionally amusing nonsense and the menu music is as dire as ever.
In the past, buying PES over FIFA was simply justified by the yawning gulf between the two titles in gameplay terms. PES has always been the superior title for many years now, boasting fast-paced, fluid football over FIFA’s molasses-slow, way-too-easy-to-score alternative. FIFA 09 isn’t representative of the shambling, rough-edged beast that the series used to be, playing more like PES than ever. With FIFA 09 packing in every authentic license into what is now a great game, it seems as though Pro Evo’s days as the king of football games might be numbered. PES by comparison, just isn’t as comprehensive a package as FIFA unless you’re willing to go to great lengths to fix every logo and name. If you have the time or the inclination to do so, then you’ll be welcomed with open arms into Pro Evo’s unfathomably deep edit mode, which allows you to scan or draw logos as well as create and tweak player’s details and physical attributes. Or like us, you can generate your own fictional uber-team of atomic super freaks complete with all stats boosted to 99. For some however, a bolstered edit mode will be no substitute for EA’s monopoly on every license under the sun.
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| Brazil and Argentina are as unbeatable as always. England? Notsomuch. | Most stadiums have the wrong names, but still look the part |
By this point, you may think it’s all over for PES 2009, but there’s something about Konami’s game that seeps into your daily life. An intangible quality that makes you love the game regardless of all its obvious shortcomings. The Master League remains as compulsive as ever, whiling away the hours while you play and infringing upon your thinking time when you’re not. You’ll be on the train to work wondering whether it’s worth training new talent or whether your finances will stretch to purchasing Ronaldinho for your fledgling squad.
PES 2009 is undoubtedly the finest PES to grace a current-gen console by a country mile, leaving the memories of its jerky and unrefined predecessor in the dust. Konami have most definitely fixed the issues that plagued PES 2008, incorporating a decent online component into the mix after the debacle of the previous game’s hideous network matches, which often saw grossly unfair, glitch-riddled games played out before the inevitable frustrated hurling of a pad.
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| The animation is as slick as ever | Most stadiums...wait. We've already done that one. |
For the first time in years, gamers actually have a choice of two genuinely excellent football games and which one you choose may ultimately hinge upon your allegiance to a series. For myself, the choice still has to be PES as I’m always willing to forgive its relative lack of authenticity for the always solid and dependable game beneath the slightly lacklustre veneer. Still, it’s getting to the point in the series’ lifespan where the lack of licenses is fast becoming a bone of contention and something that may eventually lose the game a legion of loyal fans tempted away by the allure of FIFA’s TV presentation, brilliant commentary and meticulously realistic presentation. This would be a massive shame as PES has always offered a slick representation of the beautiful game and it would be sad to see the underdog steamrollered by the moneyed corporate rival over a few daft names and some missing logos.
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 VERDICT
For now, PES 2009 only just eclipses FIFA 09 by a hair’s breadth. If you’re after the definitive, TV-style representation of the sport, then FIFA’s undoubtedly your game. But, if you’re all about the purist’s choice, then PES for our money still represents the pinnacle of videogame football. Whichever title you opt for though, you’ll be getting a brilliant football game either way. Nevertheless, you can’t help but feel that Seabass and his team at KCET are going to need to step up their game to the next level if they want to stay ahead of FIFA next year. I for one hope that they do, as there’ll be a salty tear in my eye if I’m forced to pick up a copy of a game that has Wayne Rooney gurning at me from the cover.
TOP GAME MOMENT
Hammering a long distance screamer right into the back of the onion bag. There’s no greater feeling of air-punching exuberance.
