Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

Description

Last season Pro Evolution Soccer had a tough time on next-generation systems, with the Xbox 360 version falling short of expectations and coming off second best to the PlayStation 2 version. However, while Seabass and his team have used the last year to build on its next-generation foundations to create a much-improved 360 version, how has the PS2 game changed over the past 12 months?

It's no surprise that the PlayStation 2 game is more a case of evolution than revolution, with the differences between PES 2008 and last year's game not immediately apparent to all but the most hardcore fan. Admittedly that's always been the case with PES, with Konami favouring to tweak what they already have rather than bolt on new, gimmicky gameplay ideas, but to play PES 2008 really doesn't feel that much different from Pro Evo 6. Anyone who's notched up a few hours on last year's game will be immediately at home here - the passing feels as sharp and the shooting accurate, and the whole experience is one of familiarity rather than discovering something new. Visually, it's starting to show its age alongside the Xbox 360 game, but PES has always rated gameplay over graphics and, in that respect, it's no different.

As any dedicated Pro Evo fan already knows, the big difference between PES 2008 and last year's game is the introduction of Teamvision, which is essentially a posh name for enhanced player AI. In Konami's words, your opponent "adapts according to an individual's style of play", meaning the AI team will pick up on regular attack patterns and change their tactics accordingly. Sure-fire methods of scoring of old have therefore be made all but redundant, forcing players to think on their feet more and create chances by playing the ball around and waiting for the right opportunity - much like the real thing.

Trailer