EA is already boasting about FIFA 09's new toy, its customizable tactics system, claiming that it allows up to "50,000 different combinations of tactics". Try and find 'em all!
Speaking in the latest issue of PSM3 UK, lead producer David Rutter boasts, "there are roughly 50,000 possible combinations. That's not really doing it justice. The point is there are over 40 different defensive ways to play and over 500 attacking ways."
In case you're not up to speed, the system works with a series of sliders "incorporating key parts of the team dynamic - aggression, mentality, positioning, etc". You can even assign four of your own custom plans to the D-pad and switch them mid-match.
"You can totally change the way your team plays, and apply it during the match. Every game is going to be different," says Rutter.
"A long passing game isn't just about hitting the ball long. We've changed the support play so your midfield needs to be further up the pitch, looking for the long ball to be knocked down for them to run on to. In a short game, the team pushes together and is more compact to allow short passes to be played.
"But the AI will do it too, so if you play Man Utd and they go a goal down, they're gonna change to try to get a goal back."
You can read the entire preview, with the first screenshots, in issue 102 of PSM3 UK on shelves from today.
As much as I love PES, I'm getting frustrated with the series and Konami spending about Ł95 each year on the next installment as the production budget.
Look what EA, as much as I hate them, are doing with FIFA Konami? Do you see they are making great strides in trying to improve it.
I'm sick and tired of the 32bit menus in PES, the unintuative and basic Master League mode that hasn't been improved for about 5 years, the stupid commentary, the lack of weather effects or implementation of how they would effect gameplay, the lack of no licenses, the overral presentation etc. etc. etc. etc. there are many things Konami could and should improve.
Sort it out Konami I'm not a happy bunny to say the least you pigs.
Hire Itagaki to add some bouncing boobs or something, but bloody hell do SOMETHING
I have to agree with you. PES was amazing back in the day. It just felt right when you played it. Everything behaved the way you expected. Sadly, it doesn't look like they've improved much on it since about 4 or 5. Now I like PES5, but there must be some better ways of using the new tech to make it great.
The latest PES and FIFAs were getting a little too closely matched for comfort, and at this rate EA will have a far better title unless Konami step up their game.
Either that, or they could hand the license to 2K Sports and let them develop the series from now on. I'd love to see EA and 2K in even hotter competition than they are now
I have to agree with you. PES was amazing back in the day. It just felt right when you played it. Everything behaved the way you expected. Sadly, it doesn't look like they've improved much on it since about 4 or 5. Now I like PES5, but there must be some better ways of using the new tech to make it great.
The latest PES and FIFAs were getting a little too closely matched for comfort, and at this rate EA will have a far better title unless Konami step up their game.
Either that, or they could hand the license to 2K Sports and let them develop the series from now on. I'd love to see EA and 2K in even hotter competition than they are now
You are right. PES5, PES6 and PES2008 have hardly any difference. The same old crap evey year, just that Konami holds onto the majestic gameplay in these games as sole justification as wh it is the best footy game.
But let's be honest, the only department that PES is better than FIFA in now is the gameplay. Every other area FIFA is better.
I really, really hope PES2009 on PS3 is a true next generation sequel to the game rather than a small makeover of PES2008 with small tweaks and sharper graphics, even if the graphics in PES2008 were shocking by current gen standards.
I have to agree with you. PES was amazing back in the day. It just felt right when you played it. Everything behaved the way you expected. Sadly, it doesn't look like they've improved much on it since about 4 or 5. Now I like PES5, but there must be some better ways of using the new tech to make it great.
The latest PES and FIFAs were getting a little too closely matched for comfort, and at this rate EA will have a far better title unless Konami step up their game.
Either that, or they could hand the license to 2K Sports and let them develop the series from now on. I'd love to see EA and 2K in even hotter competition than they are now
I still hold some hope that ol' Seabass and his team will bring us the PES that we've all been waiting for, but I totally agree with what your saying.
I still think that FIFA 2008 was not anywhere near the game that a lot of people made it out to be and that PES 2008 was still vastly superior - but, you can definitely see that EA are slowly creeping up and may well overtake with the next edition.
All we need now is some news or previews from Konami.....will we even see a PES this year?
I hope Fifa 09 plays like UEFA EURO 2008, that game is one of the best football games ive ever played, the gameplay works so well, you can use power for the passes, lobs work, the tactical element is fantastic to. If they fix the video errors the game has (textures not loading etc) then EA could have a fantastic game on their hands, its looking far better than pes so far id have to say.
I hope Fifa 09 plays like UEFA EURO 2008, that game is one of the best football games ive ever played, the gameplay works so well, you can use power for the passes, lobs work, the tactical element is fantastic to. If they fix the video errors the game has (textures not loading etc) then EA could have a fantastic game on their hands, its looking far better than pes so far id have to say.
Yeah, I've heard it's pretty good. I wouldn't buy it myself as I don't really see the point in these 'Tournament Specific' editions (you might as well wait for the full annual version), but it sounds as if they've sorted out my biggest gripe with FIFA since '96 on the PS1 - those godawful animations that make you wait 3 seconds after you've pressed the button.
But let's be honest, the only department that PES is better than FIFA in now is the gameplay. Every other area FIFA is better.
So, PES is better in the most important area, whereas FIFA is better with the not-so-important extra's....
I've said it before, I'll say it again, PES08 was arguably the most terrible PES game ever (except the PS2 and Wii versions), but it was still superior to the best ever FIFA.
Ok, I agree with you all that Pro Evo hasn't moved on much in the past few years...however, I can't agree that Fifa is getting any clsr to overtaking it. Fifa has always been better on every level other than gameplay, but honestly, beyond all the flashy razzmataz, its the gameplay that stands the test of time. Fifa still isn't anywhere near Pro Evo in regards to gameplay. The fact of teh matter is, Fifa may look like football, but it doesn't feel like football. From my experience, anyone who plays football seriously will only play Pro Evo as Fifa just doesn't feel right. I can understand Fifa's allure to casual or airmchair football fans, but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring. While I agree that PES2008 is still slightly ahead in terms of gameplay, I just do not see Konami doing enough this year to earn their credibility back.
I recently bought Euro 2008 on the PS3, the first EA football game I've ever bought I might add, and IMO, is vastly superior to PES2008. PES2008 was just a broken and rushed game, and while the core addictive gameplay is there to an extent, it is jst far too arcadey and easy. It plays wayyy too fast to represent real life football. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but Im actually looking more forward to Fifa this year than PES after playing Euro 2008. I desperately want Seabass and Konami to pull their finger out and give us the best PES game since PES3 (the best imo), but I just dont see that happening. As an earlier poster said, I dont even know if we'll see a PES this year, didnt Seabass say after PES2008's poor reception that he was going back to the drawing board?
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring. While I agree that PES2008 is still slightly ahead in terms of gameplay, I just do not see Konami doing enough this year to earn their credibility back.
I recently bought Euro 2008 on the PS3, the first EA football game I've ever bought I might add, and IMO, is vastly superior to PES2008. PES2008 was just a broken and rushed game, and while the core addictive gameplay is there to an extent, it is jst far too arcadey and easy. It plays wayyy too fast to represent real life football. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but Im actually looking more forward to Fifa this year than PES after playing Euro 2008. I desperately want Seabass and Konami to pull their finger out and give us the best PES game since PES3 (the best imo), but I just dont see that happening. As an earlier poster said, I dont even know if we'll see a PES this year, didnt Seabass say after PES2008's poor reception that he was going back to the drawing board?
He did indeed - the lack of any information so far leads me to think that we won't see PES this year.
You're right about PES 2008 - it's too fast. One of the great things about previous versions was the fact that you couldn't just dribble your way through a whole team - in 2008, it's as easy as pie.
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring. While I agree that PES2008 is still slightly ahead in terms of gameplay, I just do not see Konami doing enough this year to earn their credibility back.
I recently bought Euro 2008 on the PS3, the first EA football game I've ever bought I might add, and IMO, is vastly superior to PES2008. PES2008 was just a broken and rushed game, and while the core addictive gameplay is there to an extent, it is jst far too arcadey and easy. It plays wayyy too fast to represent real life football. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but Im actually looking more forward to Fifa this year than PES after playing Euro 2008. I desperately want Seabass and Konami to pull their finger out and give us the best PES game since PES3 (the best imo), but I just dont see that happening. As an earlier poster said, I dont even know if we'll see a PES this year, didnt Seabass say after PES2008's poor reception that he was going back to the drawing board?
He did indeed - the lack of any information so far leads me to think that we won't see PES this year.
You're right about PES 2008 - it's too fast. One of the great things about previous versions was the fact that you couldn't just dribble your way through a whole team - in 2008, it's as easy as pie.
Hold on. I'm not sure about PES2008 on PS3/360 (which were shocking) but I think PES2008 on PS2, the best version by far, is too slow, not fast.
PES5 for me was the best, as even though it was less realistic than 6 and 2008, it was so exciting, fast and balanced. There were 4-5 good teams that you could select when having a game with your mates that were all equally balanced. You had Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Man Utd, Barcelona. All very balanced. But this is PES5 I'm talking about, the best in the series.
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring. While I agree that PES2008 is still slightly ahead in terms of gameplay, I just do not see Konami doing enough this year to earn their credibility back.
I recently bought Euro 2008 on the PS3, the first EA football game I've ever bought I might add, and IMO, is vastly superior to PES2008. PES2008 was just a broken and rushed game, and while the core addictive gameplay is there to an extent, it is jst far too arcadey and easy. It plays wayyy too fast to represent real life football. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but Im actually looking more forward to Fifa this year than PES after playing Euro 2008. I desperately want Seabass and Konami to pull their finger out and give us the best PES game since PES3 (the best imo), but I just dont see that happening. As an earlier poster said, I dont even know if we'll see a PES this year, didnt Seabass say after PES2008's poor reception that he was going back to the drawing board?
He did indeed - the lack of any information so far leads me to think that we won't see PES this year.
You're right about PES 2008 - it's too fast. One of the great things about previous versions was the fact that you couldn't just dribble your way through a whole team - in 2008, it's as easy as pie.
Hold on. I'm not sure about PES2008 on PS3/360 (which were shocking) but I think PES2008 on PS2, the best version by far, is too slow, not fast.
PES5 for me was the best, as even though it was less realistic than 6 and 2008, it was so exciting, fast and balanced. There were 4-5 good teams that you could select when having a game with your mates that were all equally balanced. You had Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Man Utd, Barcelona. All very balanced. But this is PES5 I'm talking about, the best in the series.
The PS2 version is considered the best and PES5 was a brilliant version, but my favourite has to be ISS98 on N64 - I played that game for what seems like years..
It is a shame that so many people bought PES2008 on the PS3/360, because they were shocking by PES standards, and almost unrecognisable to the others.
However, I'm enjoying PES2008 on PS2, I actually think it is one of the best versions behind 5, just I hope they make a true next-gen version this Xmas.
I still love ISS Deluxe on the SNES - I would count it among the greatest soccer games ever made.
But yes, as you might have guessed from my first post, PES5 is my choice from the more recent ones.
Yeah, ISS Deluxe was great too. I really wish they'd put games like that onto XBLA or available for the Wii (I still can't justify buying the Wii Points - I'd only get California Games out of the selection available - and that's only to play Hakki-Sack)
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring.
I agree, i play 3 times a week and wouldn't say real play is anything like pro evo, IMO euro 2008 simulates proper football very well.
Never been a fan of PES.Always thought the gameplay was too arcady and the functionality of the game was always shocking.
FIFA on the other hand has always been the game i enjoyed.Yes,FIFA 07 sucked and 06/05 were stupid because you could win by 20 goals just by scoring straight from the kick-off,but i just think FIFA(especially 08 and Euro) have been the more fun games to play
I've not played a full version of FIFA for a long time, but I don't know if I want something that's totally realistic. Sure, I want the physics to be believable and I don't want to have crazy stuff happening, but as long as the game works, you get smooth transitions and is fun to play, I don't care.
Not played Euro 2008 but I might give it a shot (no pun intended).
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring. While I agree that PES2008 is still slightly ahead in terms of gameplay, I just do not see Konami doing enough this year to earn their credibility back.
I recently bought Euro 2008 on the PS3, the first EA football game I've ever bought I might add, and IMO, is vastly superior to PES2008. PES2008 was just a broken and rushed game, and while the core addictive gameplay is there to an extent, it is jst far too arcadey and easy. It plays wayyy too fast to represent real life football. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but Im actually looking more forward to Fifa this year than PES after playing Euro 2008. I desperately want Seabass and Konami to pull their finger out and give us the best PES game since PES3 (the best imo), but I just dont see that happening. As an earlier poster said, I dont even know if we'll see a PES this year, didnt Seabass say after PES2008's poor reception that he was going back to the drawing board?
He did indeed - the lack of any information so far leads me to think that we won't see PES this year.
You're right about PES 2008 - it's too fast. One of the great things about previous versions was the fact that you couldn't just dribble your way through a whole team - in 2008, it's as easy as pie.
Hold on. I'm not sure about PES2008 on PS3/360 (which were shocking) but I think PES2008 on PS2, the best version by far, is too slow, not fast.
PES5 for me was the best, as even though it was less realistic than 6 and 2008, it was so exciting, fast and balanced. There were 4-5 good teams that you could select when having a game with your mates that were all equally balanced. You had Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Man Utd, Barcelona. All very balanced. But this is PES5 I'm talking about, the best in the series.
Inter were by far the best on it, tbf. Martins was just insanely fast, and Adriano's shots were unsavable.
It's a shame that they've tried to capture a wider audience and ended up making a dreadful game. PES2008 (current gen) was appalling, and it was just far too easy to score, whereas PES has always been a game where you grind out 1-0 wins with a last minute piledriver. The 'TeamVision' feature they added (must have been the only one) had absolutely no effect whatsoever too.
FIFA 09 sounds more promising each day though - these tactics sound eerily similar to Football Manager's sliders, which is great. Hopefully there's the option to swap wingers dynamically - Ronaldo/Nani switching sides, for example.
I really don't see where people have said Pes has gone downhill from 6 to 2008. The argument that little has changed is one I do agree with, but I still think it plays great. The 'Teamvision' AI I do think works; my initial games seemed a little easy but they do appear to have adapted to my style of play and can put up a reasonable challenge. I think scoring is harder than it was on 6, where goals seemed to be able to fly in from all over the place.
I really don't see where people have said Pes has gone downhill from 6 to 2008. The argument that little has changed is one I do agree with, but I still think it plays great. The 'Teamvision' AI I do think works; my initial games seemed a little easy but they do appear to have adapted to my style of play and can put up a reasonable challenge. I think scoring is harder than it was on 6, where goals seemed to be able to fly in from all over the place.
True, I still disagree with anyone that says that PES 2008 is awful - but, it's not as good as PES 5 - neither in the general feel of the play nor the challenge and we should expect enhancements to what is already a great and established game.
Teamvision does work - I've certainly noticed it, but it's really not all that it was made out to be (plus, a lot of people may have given up on the game by the time they'd notice it). Definitely something they could expand on.
I didn't get PES 6. From what I understand, it was pretty much an unfinished game - it was the first on the 360 yet the Edit function basically wasn't there?....definitely not what a lot of PES fans were expecting.
Having said all that, I still play a lot of PES 2008 - it's fluid, fun and always has that 'one more game' thing for me - it's a lot easier than previous versions, certainly most here would play at the highest level, but you kinda have to in PES 2008.....I still want Konami to just push a little harder with the next one.
Im looking forward to Fifa.. i'm still checking the net every so often to see if PES has any news out, but still nothing. Hopefully the increased media surrounding Fifa will spur Konami on a bit to get a move on.
IMO Pes5 has been the best in the series. I am happy with Pes2008 and play it a lot on 360 but it is no where near as good as Pes5. Hopefully the next version is true next gen.
but for anyone who goes out and actually plays the sport on a regular basis (i.e. drags their ass out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning with a hangover to play)then Pro Evo is still the only option!
No offence mate but when I play football on a Sunday, it isnt like pinball and you dont get the centre halves dribbling from their own half and scoring. While I agree that PES2008 is still slightly ahead in terms of gameplay, I just do not see Konami doing enough this year to earn their credibility back.
I recently bought Euro 2008 on the PS3, the first EA football game I've ever bought I might add, and IMO, is vastly superior to PES2008. PES2008 was just a broken and rushed game, and while the core addictive gameplay is there to an extent, it is jst far too arcadey and easy. It plays wayyy too fast to represent real life football. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but Im actually looking more forward to Fifa this year than PES after playing Euro 2008. I desperately want Seabass and Konami to pull their finger out and give us the best PES game since PES3 (the best imo), but I just dont see that happening. As an earlier poster said, I dont even know if we'll see a PES this year, didnt Seabass say after PES2008's poor reception that he was going back to the drawing board?
He did indeed - the lack of any information so far leads me to think that we won't see PES this year.
You're right about PES 2008 - it's too fast. One of the great things about previous versions was the fact that you couldn't just dribble your way through a whole team - in 2008, it's as easy as pie.
Hold on. I'm not sure about PES2008 on PS3/360 (which were shocking) but I think PES2008 on PS2, the best version by far, is too slow, not fast.
PES5 for me was the best, as even though it was less realistic than 6 and 2008, it was so exciting, fast and balanced. There were 4-5 good teams that you could select when having a game with your mates that were all equally balanced. You had Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Man Utd, Barcelona. All very balanced. But this is PES5 I'm talking about, the best in the series.
Inter were by far the best on it, tbf. Martins was just insanely fast, and Adriano's shots were unsavable.
It's a shame that they've tried to capture a wider audience and ended up making a dreadful game. PES2008 (current gen) was appalling, and it was just far too easy to score, whereas PES has always been a game where you grind out 1-0 wins with a last minute piledriver. The 'TeamVision' feature they added (must have been the only one) had absolutely no effect whatsoever too.
FIFA 09 sounds more promising each day though - these tactics sound eerily similar to Football Manager's sliders, which is great. Hopefully there's the option to swap wingers dynamically - Ronaldo/Nani switching sides, for example.
Yeh but in PES5, the best version, Inter are not as good as they are in PES6 and PES2008.
In those version's Inter are ridiculous, Ibrahimovich and Adriano together are unstoppable.
But I think most people are in agreement that PES5 was the best. Amazingly balanced teams if you are talking about it in a multiplayer sense.
But let's be honest, the only department that PES is better than FIFA in now is the gameplay. Every other area FIFA is better.
So, PES is better in the most important area, whereas FIFA is better with the not-so-important extra's....
I've said it before, I'll say it again, PES08 was arguably the most terrible PES game ever (except the PS2 and Wii versions), but it was still superior to the best ever FIFA.
I think that says it all...
I agree with this.
I heard so many people rave about how good Fifa 2008 was, but when I played it it just felt the same as Pro Evo 1. Pretty realistic yes, but the manouverability of your players is none existent.
PES2008 really improved on this I thought but still got alot of unfair stick. It really annoyed me on old versions of pro evo and the new Fifa that it would take about 3/4 seconds to turn around. Its just not like this in real life.
To me Fifa feels like each player weighs about 40 stone. Its a decent game but theres still that 'stuck in treacle' feeling you shouldn't be getting in this day and age.
I also have to agree about the Wii version. That really does just hammer every football game into the ground, its just brilliant.
Maybe thats the direction Konami are going in for now, trying to develop the Wii version to perfection and so they are letting the others slip. Makes sense, they are making most money from that version after all.
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