Saturday 25 February 2012

web: Shoot and score; Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (X360), Konami.(Features)

Byline: by Ross Hawkes

LIKE an Ashley Cole backpass, there's always a nervous air around the release of a Pro Evolution Soccer title.

Will it be as good as FIFA? Will it be as fluid and slick as previous versions? Will I have to spend hours changing the team names for real team names?

The answers? Yes, yes and yes.

Despite the progression the FIFA titles have made in recent years, there's still that little something extra which gives Pro Evo the edge in the battle for football gaming greatness and this year looks like being no different.

The graphics are as we've come to expect and, just as FIFA are beefing up the gameplay in their title, Pro Evo are doing the same when it comes to presentation against the rivals.

The player likenesses are good for all the major stars, with decent efforts on those lesserknown players.

But it's the gameplay which really earns the five stars for this game.

There's a multitude of button configurations to learn, but unlike FIFA those with the right centre forward can find route one just as successful as the fancy dan trickery.

Pro Evo's power emanates from the ability to play football as it is really played - by catching players out of position and capitalising on mistakes.

Yes, there are only a few licenced teams, but there are more than enough ways of getting a quick fix to dodgy kits and names via the internet.

If you've got the money, buy FIFA and Pro Evo. If you only buy one, then it simply has to be Pro Evo.

*****

No comments:

Post a Comment