PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

by Majed Athab { Sep 17th 2008 at 7:30PM }

If you've come to love ~~soccer~~ football not only as a sport but as a videogame, then chances are you've played the Pro Evolution series. The series has been known to always get the footy crowd going; this leaves the latest entry -- Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 -- with some mighty spikes to fill. Not one to shy away from a challenge, we hit the latest build of PES 2009 this past Tuesday and we quite enjoyed our friendly match.

Getting right into the footy action, we chose which countries were going to duke it out and then proceeded to pick our sides. Interestingly, PES 2009 makes good use of the PS3's maximum number of controller ports -- which is seven. That means seven people can play a match offline at the same time. Moving onto the gameplay, in general, it's solid as usual. The ball doesn't gravitate to a player's feet and contains some of the most realistic physics for ball movement. Speaking of physics, player motions are some of the best to be seen in the series. They're incredibly lifelike, making such visuals as dribbling fun to watch (and fun to control); bone-cracking tackles can look pretty sick both in a good (realistic) and a bad (makes you pity the player) way.

Gallery: Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

The AI has improved again. Teammates actually get into the right positions and the enemy also acts and behaves like real players would. Managing your gameplay strategy is made easy for beginners; in the set up menu by selecting the "simple settings," players can manage their team's positions, formations, and tactics by choosing auto-adjust options labeled "attack," "defense," and the like. It's a good option for those who just want to go straight into the action without wanting to tinker too much with technical jargon.

One area where PES 2009 lets us down is in the graphics department. The visuals are not all too great with jaggies popping out of the stadium (billboards and projector screens are most obvious) and unrefined details on the turf. Character models look good, though they're also rough around the edges; this however, is not such a big problem considering that you'll spend most of your time zoomed out and not looking at a player's blocky bald head. Tie that up with the sheer amount of character models and this is completely understandable.

While it's easy to say the gameplay is undoubtedly fluid, easy to master (especially for vets), and just plain fun, we can't help but feel that the overall experience feels too much like previous games. With that in mind, however, there's only so much you can do with sports-based titles which are based off strict rules and preset mechanics. We also haven't gotten around to trying out the all new Become a Legend mode as well as other modes which were not available on this build. So maybe those things will spice the tried-and-tested formula this November 11 when the game hits North America. Europeans should also look out for a date around that time or even slightly before.

Tags: joystiqfeatures, konami, pes, pes-2009, pro-evolution-soccer, pro-evolution-soccer-2009

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

massive_98 @ Sep 17th 2008 7:42PM

I think this is the year fifa will take the crown back. After playing the demo, the gameplay is no longer inferior. You also get the usual fifa perks like graphics and licensed teams. I'll wait till I try a PES demo, but I'm almost sold.

ShawnShady @ Sep 22nd 2008 7:53AM

Ok...here it goes...i've been a pes fan since back when it was called "International superstar soccer" around 97'-98' overall the game is awesome...that is until you wanna play online...and this problem has gotten even worse...i am sick and tired of chasing phantom soccer balls and "houdinni" players. Konami has got one more chance to keep me as a consumer of it's product with the upcoming release of pes 2009...if not..i will -regretfully- switch to fifa and that's that!!
in the meantime to all of you pes fans who are fed up with this bullshit you can voice your opinions and concerns by letting konami know where we stand and that we won't accept nothing but the best quality in what we pay for...it's time for action to speak louder than words...unite for a common cause and call Konami...here's their number: (310)220-8100
let'em know we're here and we won't take it anymore.

Mr. Joe @ Sep 17th 2008 7:59PM

i'm with massive. the fifa demo blew me away. i was definitely expecting less from the gameplay, but after playing just a few friendlies i was convinced. the physics on the ball may still need a bit of work, but overall fifa/ea really upped their game. and with the licensing and the solid graphics, fifa ftw. the pes demo had better blow my socks off but by reading this review, it ain't gonna. i think i'ma buy fifa day one. try the pes demo when it gets released. trade if necessary, but i don't think it's gonna be.

Devin @ Sep 17th 2008 8:20PM

Konami should've stepped up their game in the graphics department considering the only thing they needed to was continue their legacy of great gameplay which isn't hard to do when you have gameplay as solid as theirs, but that's a deal killer right there especially if FIFA09 can match it. I will still play both demos though since I've always been a fanboy of the Winning Eleven series (I own 6 , 8 & 9 on PC).

snoopytimes @ Sep 17th 2008 8:30PM

fifa demo was better than i thought it would be. but something that really bothered me was the how the player moves and the shooting. It feels like they are playing on ice. and EVERY shot i take on fifa is a weird curved shot. Ill take PES's better controls, presentation, and ai.

Graeme Byers @ Sep 18th 2008 6:33AM

Better controls? - They are the same, almost identical in fact.

Better Presentation? - Seriously?, better presentation? Have you looked the piss poor menu's etc in PES, FIFA's presentation has always been far superior, the gameplay is where PES made up for that.

Better AI? - Maybe compared to previous versions of FIFA, but the AI in FIFA 09 so far plays very realistic and very well.

Gone are the days when FIFA can just be written off, and Konami can no longer rest on their laurels. If this hands on is accurate, then it's same old PES, basically a £40 squad update and we don't even know if they've fixed the massively flawed multi player of 08!

FIFA 09 looks and plays great, it's up to Konami to up their game and to finally earn the crown king of football games, rather than just winning it by default like they used too.

Paul @ Sep 17th 2008 8:35PM

Reading this review I really doubt the writer has actually played the game. PES is a series that refines with every build and the latest previews show that the game has taken a huge step forward in terms of gameplay. If you like football and your friends do as well, then PES2009 is the game to buy for sure. Once you're familiar with PES you'll never go back to Fifa

Neil @ Sep 17th 2008 9:21PM

Agreed.

Trev @ Sep 17th 2008 9:15PM

Well said paul, i know this PRO will be btter than FIFA......again.
Once you play PRO you won't go back to fifa unless you feel sorry for it.

zecomer27 @ Sep 17th 2008 9:38PM

i have been supporting PES for 5 years and i must say gameplay and realism wise, Fifa doesn't come close. However Fifa has improved alot since last year and the Be A Pro mode really tempts me

jashy @ Sep 17th 2008 9:56PM

How on earth can people think FIFA is even close to pro's gameplay? obviously you guys are "soccer" fans and not FOOTBALL fans. and for the review. hmm not too sure. A lot of other things have been said about this game, considering those people played NEWER builds.

shane @ Sep 17th 2008 11:29PM

Paul, Neil, Trev, wake up and smell the coffee. I've bought pes over fifa for the last 6 years, but the fifa 09 demo is far better than the last 2 years of pes games. Stop being such fanboys and buy what will be the best football game this year, fifa 09.

adamevex @ Sep 17th 2008 11:21PM

Well i can't help but acknowlegde the hype FIFA has gotten this year. I'm a PES fanboy to the max, but i'm also a consumer who expects a company like Konami to give me the best in return for a profit. Ok, so we all know PES's gameplay is solid. So why haven't they put in any effort into making EVERYTHING else just as good. And i'm talking about everything except licenses because we all know the deal there.

I'll be getting PES though since it's a HD PES5, but i just wonder how many Konami have lost to their rivals after last years poor effort.

shane @ Sep 17th 2008 11:27PM

PES 09 is just another half-assed update from Konami, it still looks like a ps2 game in HD and they basically stole the "Be a Legend" mode from FIFA. If you continue to blindly buy the game no matter how bad it is they'll continue to shell out the same crap they've been doing since pes 6.

Ben @ Sep 18th 2008 5:56AM

Shane, if you think PES has ripped off Be a Pro mode, have a look at the Fantasista mode that's been in the Winning Eleven games for a fair few years... Bear in mind that WE is the Japanese name for PES, then figure out who had it "first"...

Anyway, I'm still intrigued by this year's PES. I was disappointed with last year's, and decided to give the FIFA demo a whirl, but it really doesn't do anything for me... Think I'll wait for initial reviews before buying PES, but I think it'll be one more addition to the collection!

dreamkin @ Sep 18th 2008 5:59AM

They didn't steal the mode. That mode's been in the Japanese version of the game for years now.

LatinoLA1 @ Sep 17th 2008 11:43PM

I have a question, which leagues does this game feature? if it has the Mexican First division league then i might take a look at this game otherwise im sticking with Fifa 09 only

seedaripper1973 @ Sep 18th 2008 6:14AM

well after playing the FIFA demo, if you like floaty balls that magically stick to your feet, then go ahead buy it (i must admit i like the 'trick' L2 feature) but when push comes to shove..its PES all the way!!
Konami have stepped up by securing the UEFA champions league (including MAN U and Liverpool) a new mode (become a legend) and many more minor tweaks to the already outstanding gameplay..

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=213025

soz FIFA...no brainer for me (and other 'serious' footy fans)
But please god...SORT OUT THE ONLINE!

PSN ID -- TheUnforgivenII @ Sep 18th 2008 8:48AM

PES 2008 was voted as "disappointment of the year" by nearly everyone here in Italy, and you know.. Here the only games that sell well are MGS, GTA and PES. PES2008 was a huge disappoint for everyone, and FIFA 2008 instead was a nice game. I'll wait till the demo of PES2009 comes (IF it comes..) and then I'll choose what to buy..

jashy @ Sep 18th 2008 2:13PM

Obviously Pro 2008 was not as good as people would have liked. Honestly, they just spoiled it. However, this years pro will be different. the videos people are seeing are from the Liepzig build. If you search on ign or winningelevenblog.com, you will see videos of the newer build. It looks brilliant. And licenses? With pro you can just edit, why waste time and money on running after licenses? FIFA has come up i admit. Something just doesnt seem right to me about that game.

Carlos @ Sep 18th 2008 6:44PM

No Mexican League for sure since EA have the exclusive rights to it
Konami lost the license for the Spanish League also, although some teams from that league will be licensed (similar to the English Premier League)

I didn't like PES2008 that much and I believe it was a step back in the series...but FIFA 08 was worse for me than PES2008, i didn't like the feeling of controlling players (for me it was nearly impossible to pass defenders even with high skilled players) and FIFA 08 bring me almost no emotions even in a tight game. Since everyone is saying that PES2009 will be like an improvedo Winning Eleven 9 (the best in the series) I will give it a try. Specially since I'm intrigued to play the Fantasista mode (I like that name better)

The FIFA 09 demo has received mixed reactions (I haven't played it yet so I can't give an opinion), but saying that FIFA 09 will be better than PES2009 without playing even a demo for the latter is quite an impartial view.

don_sf @ Sep 19th 2008 6:19AM

fifa is for video game players, pro evo is for footballers.that argument still stands, and will always do. you just have to play pro evo for a few minutes to appreciate how smooth and refined it is compared to fifa.i used to be a fifa fan, but after i got my ps3, i was offered pes 2008 (new) for a very cheap price, and because all my friends play it, i thought let me see how it is.and i have to say after all these years of playing fifa on console and pc, i will only ever play pro evo games.pro evo does have its problems, alot infact to point out. but i tried the fifa 09 demo and i could see it was the same old fifa sort of game. you just dont feel as involved with the game on fifa.and about the graphics. the view that most people use doesnt mean anything for graphics, all the models are small. and while fifa 09 may be clearly better from a graphical standpoint, lets be honest, even fifa 09 is no diamond (compared to other games).do the smart thing guys, buy pro evo, u wil thank me in the long term

sizemarlis @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:27PM

are u mad pro was the best up to pes 05 then after that its been going down hill ever since i loved pro but fifa has taken over now im sad to say it but pes 09 has to be somthing special to win me back

JoePeli @ Sep 24th 2008 12:25PM

I've never been a fan of FIFA fan, neither have I been a fan of PES...Both have their pro's and cons. One year, it's FIFA that has the bigger pro's, the next it maybe PES that has the bigger pros. With that said...

This year, it's FIFA. It simply has the bigger pro's.
FIFA 09 is the best football game I've play yet and I don't think PES 2009 will be able to beat it this year! (But I can't wait to play the PES demo!) Maybe next year...

roverallview @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:25AM

I've played the Fifa 09 demo to death to try and convince myself to buy it after being really annoyed by alot of things in PES08. But it just doesnt do it for me, somethings not quite right. Pace is slow and it feels clumsy. I'll probably buy it to have a proper go (2 player etc) but I have a feeling I'll be trading it in for PES as soon as it's out.

Marko @ Jan 18th 2009 12:27PM

J dont now even one man who said that even one version of fifa was better than pro...J think that fifa is for soccer fans and that pro is for football fans who played football and now what football is about...J never liked fifa and J never will even that last version of pro was the worst since J 'm playing it but fifa is just J dont now,but J cant love that game because it dont have even one thing what football is about!J will buy PRO J have no doubt!