24-Jun-2004 Does this Japan-only version of PES hint at what PES4 may have in store?
We guess we're still PES maniacs here on CVG, and it doesn't help that Konami releases updated versions every few months to keep our appetites keen.
The most recent to have been launched in Japan, where as you know the series is called Winning Eleven, is Winning Eleven 7: International. We need to clarify that this version of WE7:I is not the same as the one that came out in America with that name, nor is it the same as the Korean version. Both US and Korean versions are simply PES3, coded in NTSC and with different language options. The one you need to know about is specifically the Japanese release, because this is the one in which there have been gameplay enhancements.
Iron Head If you're a PES freak, playing every version that comes out almost every day and over the weekend, any improvement to the game is sure to excite. There is very little different here, but the changes do make for a more realistic game than PES3.
To begin with you'll notice that the ball moves more freely, creating more chances for players to retrieve a wayward ball in a tussle, and requiring cleaner takedowns from crosses and improved timing on volleys or headers. Make a good connection on a header and it will rocket away from foreheads. On the other hand if your timing is off, or the player isn't good enough, the ball will scuff off their bonce with little power and in an unpredictable fashion. When taking free kicks and corners, the new ball properties are even clearer, as it's not so easy to score with an out-swinging effort.
Other Updates Cosmetically hardly anything has changed. A player's arms hang more naturally before taking corners or free kicks. There seem to be new animations associated with headers and while challenging for the ball. Key players have been given updated facial hair, and most squads have the majority of players they're supposed to: Chelsea has Mutu and Crespo, AC Milan has Kaka up front, Arsenal has Toure as a regular at the back. National squads have had their stats altered too.
If you've money burning a hole in your pocket and you just can't get enough of PES, you won't be disappointed should you invest in this semi-update. Everyone else out there: wait for PES4.
Like we said, the changes aren't drastic but they help toward making the game a better experience overall. The best examples of graphical improvements we can see are higher-resolution replays, but that's hardly worth mentioning. Rock music has replaced the Euro Rave Trance tosh for the presentation screens, and is the soundtrack for the replays too!
You get to appreciate the higher-res graphics during replays, particularly when someone is shown a card
Barging someone off the ball looks far more realistic and you get to win the ball back more often
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