Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Review

Anannya Sen’s Review

Better than the PS3 version?

Ok, let's be honest, as a mobile game this was never going to be better than the PS3 version, but as an overall package, I certainly think it is.

We've been playing PES since the days of ISS on the SNES and I'm such a fan personally that I usually buy and play all the Japanese versions (Winning Eleven for you unitiated). Mainly to hear the brilliant commentary (acorobatico shoot-oh!) but nevertheless I've been thoroughly disappointed by PES 2008 on the PS3. It sucks, has slowdown and the online mode is a farce. And this is a PS3 game we're talking about here!!

The mobile version is much much better considering how hard it is to do a decent footy game on the mobile format. Ok, the graphics are nice but not spectacular and along the lines of most other football games. Sound is the usual bells and whistles (literally), with a tune in between (would a crowd chant during play really have killed the game??) but the modes and gameplay are first rate.

There are tons of modes, instant play, match mode, league mode, cup mode, training and even a super challenge mode (a watered down 2 season version of the master league). There are even two control systems, one for the standard football games of stick / keys to move, 5 to pass and 0 to shoot, and a one touch mode as well for those who have to use another hand for something else while playing. Well, you do need it for the pies. Glu have even manged to get most of the console moves in here and I was very impressed that one-two's, through balls and even a fake shot can all be done either through one or two button presses.

Shooting is with the 0 button and it may take a bit of time to get used to the bar but then this is the same on any PES game dating back to Winning Eleven 5. Once you get the hang of it you'll be shooting all the time. One thing not that noticeable on this is curl on the ball, but it doesn't matter too much as the game is a lot of fun to play.

As with all PES games, this one doesn't seem to the licensed so we have Merseyside Red playing in green. At least they could have got the team colours right!! Squads are either not that up to date or not complete as you only seem to get 5 subs which is a shame. I was in dire need of Arbeloa as a defender for Liverpool and instead all I get is Paletta! And no Kewell!!

Still, these are minor quibbles as once you begin to play the passes flow and the game becomes more addictive. Dribbling is certainly trickier on this than other games as the AI always seems to be close to you. Not that they offer too much resistance early on, but then again I was playing on easy. AI movement on your own team and the opposition is very good, and better than the console version in some instances!

Management options are fairly standard, you can sub your team and change formations. Unlike other footy games and the console version of PES in particular, there's no overall team level to change, but at least this has some semblance of the PES stats for each player. And as you progress you get to unlock different formations as well as who knows what else.

One thing that was surprising was the distance from which you can score and either me or the AI were banging them in from all over the park. As you progress and play better teams this becomes harder to do, but still fun nonetheless.

Overall what could have been a complete disaster has turned into a bit of a triumph (hopefully like Livepool's champions league campaign!). Not revolutionary by any means but a very solid game with flowing gameplay.