We're live from Seville, for the annual Pro Evo Soccer finals and hot off the presses are our very first impressions of the Wii version of the game.
Producer 'Greyhound' Chosogabe was live on stage demoing the world premiere look at the Wii version of PES 2008 and while still very recognisably PES, the new control method afforded by the Wii-mote is going to make this a very different ball game.
First up, the hard facts: PES 2008 on Wii is set for a spring 2008 debut and Greyhound confirmed that it will feature two-player action, playable simultaneously on the same screen.
However the Wii-mote is going used in a number of innovative ways to make this a very different version from your standard gamepad-led PES experience.
You'll simply point with the controller to make your player dribble with the ball and he'll follow wherever your Wii-mote leads.
The Wii-mote will also allow you to direct players into making precise off-the-ball runs and pass into open spaces with a great degree of accuracy. Passes were made using the A-button to play short dinks to a team-mate or launch long crossfield balls, while shooting was accomplished by a simple shake of the nunchuck.
There was even a demo of how you'll be able to get your back four to step up and spring an offside trap.
It all looked pretty impressive if a touch confusing at first glance, with lots of arrows showing player direction and movement and potential passes.
Still, Greyhound finished with a demo game he'd played against his own development team and we have to say it does look quite tasty, even though we'll probably have to recalibrate our own long-honed PES instincts to take full advantage.
Hands-on and further interview time tomorrow should provide the proof of the pudding and a chance for a more in-depth analysis, but for the moment, content yourself with this fine selection of screens and dream of the Wii-delights to come.
I think they need to get it to play only on classic controller - pes 2008 is good im glad to see them finally releasing it but still not sure if its good as devs might at stupid things like on fifa wii
I can't be bottomd to find a past post of mine on Wii-PES, but it explains how the Wii pointer controls can offer more precision with placing the ball and making the playing-field a lot more level so those that have played for a couple of hours can still give the veterans a good challenge.
Couldn't agree more, they should definetly have classic controller with standard gameplay as an option. Not all games need to have motion control tacked on.
In fact, all the ppl above are cunts. Yes that's right I said it. & I said it calmly too. It's narrow minded ppl like this that hold us all back in life. Why don't you try to broaden your horizons a little bit? Either that or go fuck yourselves.
Abit harsh don't you think? I know that if I only owned a Wii then I would want the 'proper' version of multi-platform games rather than getting the short end of the stick. Was the same with Soul Calibur as well. 360 and PS3 get the proper version while the Wii gets some s**te spin-off. Im all for developers trying new things but for me, Wii simply isn't an option for multi-platform games. As for the graphics, they are better than I was expecting.
In fact, all the ppl above are cunts. Yes that's right I said it. & I said it calmly too. It's narrow minded ppl like this that hold us all back in life. Why don't you try to broaden your horizons a little bit? Either that or go fuck yourselves.
Abit harsh don't you think? I know that if I only owned a Wii then I would want the 'proper' version of multi-platform games rather than getting the short end of the stick.
No not really, if you want the "proper" version (whatever that means, I'm gonna take it as the super flashy, HD version) then what are you doing only owning a Wii? ppl that ony own one machine are usually fanboys & as you know they're usually pretty easy to please.
Besides, how much extra can the PS3 or 360 bring to PES? The gfx just isn't enough for me to feel it's made the leap to next gen, sorry. I got bored of footy games last generation & had no interest in going back to them till I read this. This is just the kind of thing the genre needs I think.
Some people haven't got the money to buy all 3 consoles so they have to choose one. Some people may like the Nintendo games so buy a Wii yet they find themselves shafted by having not having the same multi-format games that 360 and PS3 get. By 'proper' I mean the latest version that all the attention had gone into. Why should Wii owners have to suffer? As for what 360 and PS3 can bring to the table, its simple. They can both bring better graphics obviously, better physics, better or more realistic animations, better AI and a greater multi-player experience through their online service. The Wii can't bring any of that to the table. The only thing it offers is a new control scheme, which from the sounds of things, will lead to a less accurate simulation of the game.
well i'm really enjoying fifa 08 on the wii right now. plus all of those big yellow arrows in pro evo just look wrong! in reply to the above post the wii version of fifa 08 offers full online play though EA'nation. so it's no worse than the 360/ps3 version. the only difference is they dropped the manager mode, which is usually pretty dull anyway, and they've added 3 extra party game modes. table football is brilliant fun with a friend, and it doesn't take up the space that full arcade football tables do! fifa 08 has both great game-play, and good graphics. forum uses really should stop insulting other forum members. you wouldn't want to be reported, and banned from expressing your views here, would you? using offensive words should be kept to the school playground!
The PS2 had abismal gfx for its entire life, right up until the end of the gen when they only just became acceptable.everyone's entitled to their own opinion but thats a daft comment what about (ico, gran turismo 4, god of war 1, project snow blind, silent hill 2,) these all came out years before 2007
The idea of using the remote to point where you want your player to go is a little crap. And then it says you also use that to position plasses - surely that means it's going to be really difficult to do passes on the move. You're not telling me you have to stop before you can pass the ball on, right?
And I think all the arrows would get really annoying as well. Most people I know play(ed) PES because it was like playing a TV match. All those arrows are going to take that away. It looks more like a manager game than a football game.
Seriously, I think it would've been better with the standard left stick to move and maybe the remote just to aim. Trying to add too many motion controls are going to kill it.
Fingers crossed it will also have a gamepad/no arrows version as well.
Looks like a PS2 game, are they gonna go for whacky motion controls or just keep it simple?
Why does every Wii article have someone posting something along the lines of looks like PS2. We all know the Wii isn't as powerful as the other 2 consoles get over it already!
I agree the motion control should be an option, it will be neat to try but there are times when I may want to play it in the traditional way and I have 4 Wavebird pads just sitting around so I should be able to use them if I want on the Wii games.
The whole point where you want the player to go sounds like it's kind of on rails which is kind of worrying. It's still early days yet so maybe they will announce Classic/Gamecube pad compatibility.
I'd give it a go to see how well the controls worked. Not sure about the "point where you want the player to run" but the shaking of the nunchuck to shoot sounds shockingly terrible.
"The Wii can't bring any of that to the table. The only thing it offers is a new control scheme, which from the sounds of things, will lead to a less accurate simulation of the game."
The last time I played football I used my feet, so I'm not sure how you can say the Wii PES will be a less accurate sim!
"The Wii can't bring any of that to the table. The only thing it offers is a new control scheme, which from the sounds of things, will lead to a less accurate simulation of the game."
The last time I played football I used my feet, so I'm not sure how you can say the Wii PES will be a less accurate sim!
The last time I played football I didn't have to wiggle a wand around to shoot... By accurate I mean in terms of physics, animations and precise control over the players actions.
Hopefully it comes out well. Once this is done then maybe a decent basketball game can come on the Wii too. I'm itching to play NBA 2K8 on the 360. The demo was great, a lot better than NBA Live is as usual.
I'm waiting with anticipation to see what this plays like though.
I recant. After watching footage of it in action, I must say it's looks like the deepest PES ever, with unparalleled control of your team. Only slight nagging doubt remaining is regarding shooting. Shaking the nunchuk just doesn't sound right but given how great the rest of the game looks, I presume they haven't taken away the brilliant level of control over direction, power and aftertouch on shots that sets PES apart from the also-rans.
Must agree that the footage makes it look superb, if iot works giving an immense feeling of control and deoth - this could really freshen the genre up - I'm a big pro evo fan but since pro evo 4 , it has only improved by increments. That said, I'm not sure about shooting either - how can you have accurate sensitivity?
Actually, I'm really looking forward to this. The first PES game I've bought was PES5, and have not seen any need to buying the newer ones, since they don't offer much new bar some minute tweaking and updated players/teams.
I've always been frustrated at how passes and through balls sometimes go to the wrong player, but if Konami get the Remote really working, that problem should be rectified. Those arrows do look a mess, but hopefully they were only for demo purposes and you have option of removing them. I don't like the point to move, but I'm sure you can always use the analogue stick...
Now they just need to map shooting back to a button.
'You'll simply point with the controller to make your player dribble with the ball and he'll follow wherever your Wii-mote leads.'
I read an article about PES 2008 Wii on IGN yesterday and the above quote is a mistake. You will use the nunchuck to move your player and the Wiimote to aim passes. After watching the 4 1/2 minute video on there the game looks highly promising, the only thing i'm a bit worried about is shaking the nunchuk to shoot. Although if that was used in combination with the Wiimote to aim then it could work pretty well. This looks to me like the one of the first times a 3rd party has taken the time to think about how the Wii controls could actually improve a game rather than be a gimmicky alternative to the usual control set-up, and not in the least bit 'tacked-on'.
The only thing missing from previous versions of Pro Evo in terms of a football simulation has been direct control of off the ball runs. And the Wii SKU now has it. I'm a very happy bunny indeed.
For those concerned with using the remote pointing to dribble there is also the option of dribbling with the nunchuck stick.
With these controls the Wii SKU could possibly become the definitive version of Pro Evo.
As for FIFA 08, for the Wii SKU EA have finally decided to give up trying and failing to attempt a football simulation and instead have produced a very entertaining football arcade style game...and it's worth a purchase.
Yes, its obviously a different series from a different company but its the same sport that requires the exact same moves to be replicated with the Wiimote, shooting, passing, through balls etc.
Note the usual "imprecise" comments with regards to the motion sensing and so on.
Expect some of the flaws mentioned there to crop up in the Pro Evo version.
Wow, you obviously already know the future like so many other posters in here. The Wii version will obviously be crap because the controls aren't precise enough. And all of this because you obviously must have already spent time playing the game. I'm impressed! (sarcasm alert!).
Really people, I love how you all already slag off a game that I'm pretty sure neither of you have played. I will agree: there are already some Wii games out with rubbish controls, but let's just TRY it first and THEN state your opinions allright?
Plus, basically assuming Wii Pro Evo will be crap because Wii FIFA '08 is, is like comparing apples and oranges. Especially since it's two different companys working on two different games as well. You don't go comparing games like Daikatana and Gears of War, because in both games you shoot a gun.
Using the remote for player runs was exactly what I was looking for, and if it's to be used for selecting any player in view for controlling, it will improve my annoyance with the series currently for selecting the best player.
The game is looking a bit like the ISS style on the N64, so perhaps we're looking at a more arcadey feel too, which would make me want it more.
Using the remote for player runs was exactly what I was looking for, and if it's to be used for selecting any player in view for controlling, it will improve my annoyance with the series currently for selecting the best player.
The game is looking a bit like the ISS style on the N64, so perhaps we're looking at a more arcadey feel too, which would make me want it more.
Whilst I loved the ISS series on N64 (bar the dubious RPG mode in 2000), I don't want an arcade-y approach for Pro Evo on Wii. This series is great because it's a proper simulation of football, unlike FIFA.
Hopefully, all the "standard" PES content is there, like Master League, online mode, offline vs stat tracking etc...
Hi gents, thanks for all your comments on the Wii version, we've rounded it off with an interview with Producer Akiyoshi 'Greyhound' Chosogabe which you can find in the top box or clicking here:.
Now that you've had a chance to have a look at the video how do you think the control method measures up? Having had a quick bash out in Seville, I can say it's very different from normal PES - strangely compelling but does require some practice.
One thing that's still being worked on is the defending and tackling side of the game and that's important to get right. Will be most interested to see if there's online too...
Pro Evo definitely needs a "intentional foul" move (I don't know if they've added this to 6 or 200, like in ISS. It was great fun to elbow charge players, even if it occasionally resulted in red cards!
Also, if the Wii is considered a second console with a PS3 or 360, it makes sense to make it different enough from the hi-def versions.
I might be a little late to this party but this has prompted me to sign up just to post these comments.
Have just got a wii and am delighted to see pro evo is coing out.
Was going to get pes 2008 for the ps2 but sounds like they havent't done so well on the xbox 360, ps3 or ps2 versions.
re the control method all I can say is wow!
Accurate passing using the wiimote to point is similar to having to look up before you pass in real life. Yeah if you're to slow you'll get tackled....but don't we want realism in our pro evo games? If you spend an eternity looking around for a pass and don't pay attention then you deserve to get tackled!
Being able to order precise off the ball runs is amazing also, just like asking your team mates to move off the ball for you in a real game of footy.
Any one who plays footy in real life should be getting genuinely excited by this. It's an innovative, yet inuitive control system that comes closer to real life football (soccer), than anything else out there.
I can't wait to see how this turns out - if it's done right it will be amazing. I have enough faith in konami and the pes franchise in general to think that this will be worth a purchase.
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It's narrow minded ppl like this that hold us all back in life. Why don't you try to broaden your horizons a little bit? Either that or go fuck yourselves. 
The last time I played football I used my feet, so I'm not sure how you can say the Wii PES will be a less accurate sim! 
, like in ISS. It was great fun to elbow charge players, even if it occasionally resulted in red cards!
