Soccer games have always been spilt between the market leader, FIFA and arguably the better game in Pro Evolution Soccer. That’s why it’s odd that we’ve recently seen this shift back towards FIFA as far as the ‘better’ game goes. It’s been able to capitalize on the next generation of consoles by offering better online player, graphics & overall presentation. Luckily Konami has realized this sooner rather than later and now they are the ones taking note.
The overall core of the game should be shaken with the addition of many new integral features. Tactics will be able to change on the fly depending on the situation & just like FIFA we have been promised better off-the-ball movement from AI controlled team mates. Pro Evo boasts the most impressive on paper as the AI will be able to learn your tactics and strategies as you play then your players will adapt to which strategies work. It sounds impressive but not as impressive as the graphics.
The graphics in Pro Evo have always been it’s downfall when compared to FIFA. It appears that while they aren’t ready to beat FIFA in this area yet they are doing a good job of competing this time. Brand new animations & visual effects will combine to provide a brilliant looking game of football. There are even talks of a cleaner looking menu system.
Unfavourably Pro Evo still can’t get their hands on any more licenses to official club’s and leagues as the Spanish & English leagues won’t have all the official razzmatazz. Strangely Liverpool & Manchester United will be fully licensed while the other eighteen English Premier League club’s won’t despite the fact that Spurs & Newcastle where licensed last year.
Talking of licenses, they’ve managed to get their hands on many International Teams for this years rendition. The game will also feature large amounts of ‘classic’ international teams that will all feature official player names. With FIFA holding all the licenses it’s sometimes easy to dismiss Pro Evo but they are catching up and doing a great job considering.
With a whole host of tweaks and additions it’s getting tougher for the FIFA fan to ignore Pro Evoultion. The gap might have favoured FIFA recently with the great job they’ve done but Konami clearly have their sights on narrowing it. All in all Pro Evoultion Soccer 2009 should be enough to get football fans addicted all over again.
No Comments to Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 Preview: Narrowing The Gap
by Vegie
On September 2, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Ive always been a PES fan… but after getting Pro Evo 08 I don’t think ill be getting 09 since there is very minor changes between the two versions… on the other hand FIFA is getting more and more impressive each game they make… FIFA 08 didn’t get into my head that much cuz it was too slow and kinda weird … but after seeing FIFA 09 I was amazed by the +250 improvements.. i am %100 sure its a must buy.. as for Pro Evo… lets hope they give us something to “WOW!” about in 2010..
by anon
On September 3, 2008 at 11:14 am
you know why they only have licensed clubs?
because EA have a deal with FIFA saying that other games can only have 2 premiership club teams and it sucks!
bring on the demo!
by Rollamoff
On September 17, 2008 at 7:51 am
It must be said that generally, PES 2008 was a very good game with minor flaws. Yes the online mode was shocking and yes the visuals had a lot to be desired, but even at this time I still have a hell of a lot more pleasure playing PES08 than FIFA08. Fifa just bored me, the shooting was and is absolutely terrible. Only thing I liked about FIFA is the Be a Pro mode. This is being brought into the new pro, apparently, so Vegie’s comments are complete lies. The whole strategy adapting is sure to be excellent, whilst irritating none-the-less when you’re 1-0 down with 2 minutes to go.
I’m not at all fussed that they haven’t got the license for all teams. They have included an import mode, apparently, to this year’s game, so some boffin somewhere is going to create an option file for us and we’ll just download it.
The only thing I really want them to improve on is the online server. I always go over my mates to play against each other but when we’re at home and fancy a quick buzz we can’t go online as the lag is shocking. He only lives half a mile up the road and the lag is as bad as someone who lives half way across Europe. This area has got to be improved.
I’ve no doubt I will prefer this game to Fifa. Fifa have never made an effort to improve the shooting and the passing is lacklustre and this is where Pro excels. I love the passing game and I’m a very optimistic shooter from distance. Tried this on Fifa 06, 07 and 08 and it was rubbish every time. Bring on Pro !!
by scott
On October 1, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I am a massiv fan of pro bt last year da game really dissapointed me at 1st. after a while of playin em both i eventually fell in love with pro all over again. there is a simple reason 4 dis, y on fifa does it take e.g. henry, 1 of da fastest players on da planet an age 2 go past sol campbell. Pro only had 2 flaws last year as far as am concerned an dey wer the graphics wer a little 2 cartoony bt day av changd dat and finally the game play was a little 2 fast, however betta 2 fast dan 2 slow. I am really lookin 4ward 2 both games comin owt, i av playd fifa on a demo an it didnt dissapoint even doe i gt beat by me m8 lol bt hopefully pro will be able 2 take bk the footballing game crown agen cz we all love an underdog! btw incase u didnt no usual teams on fifa maybe a few more bt pro has got the offical rights to the champions league teams, most of the spanish and italian if not all, all the french sides and dutch sides. cnt w8. buzzin.