Metareview: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Thanks to its point-and-pass mechanics and Mii integration, the Wii version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 can safely be described as the biggest upheaval of the series in years. But have such sweeping changes to one of the most finely balanced franchises in gaming been for the better? Well, the critics certainly seem to think so ...
Official Nintendo Magazine UK -- 90%: First out of the tunnel with its views is the UK edition of Official Nintendo Magazine, which suggests that persevering with the new Wii controls will pay dividends: "Easily the best football game on a Nintendo system. It takes a while to get used to the new controls but once you get your head round them, they become second nature." [March 2008, p.58 -- excerpt found at Metacritic]
IGN -- 86%: IGN's Matt Bozon argues that the Wii controls play a crucial role in creating the "most strategic" soccer experience ever: "The integration of IR into a sports game has been extremely minimal so far, but is absolutely ideal in this situation, allowing players to not only play the ball specifically, but direct traffic and precisely move every player on the field in tandem, making for the most realistic, strategic, and intuitive soccer experiences we've ever seen."
1UP -- 75%: And it's more of the same from 1UP's Andrew Pfister, who expresses surprise that the Wii version is so superior to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions: "It's always refreshing to see a unique application of the Wii's motion controls, and it's even more encouraging to see a new idea that's not only functional, but something that really can't be done any other way. We're not sure what's going on over at Konami's PES team: on one hand, there seem to be some major issues in regards to PS3/360 development, yet the less-technically apt Wii version ends up being the game to move the franchise forward."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brent @ Mar 20th 2008 7:11PM
hmmm... im suprised at the good reviews. afraid ill be too busy playing brawl and cod4 though!
Dash @ Mar 20th 2008 7:26PM
What? A Wii game that is better then the PS3/XBox360 version?
But Sony and Microsoft said it was impossible? Oh, wait, so they didn't told the truth?
See, a developer that tries to go deep, practical and inovative will make a great Wii game. Just use the resources that improve gameplay.
mian @ Mar 20th 2008 8:50PM
1up is the worst wii reviewer in existence.
"It's always refreshing to see a unique application of the Wii's motion controls"
What's unique about pro evo is the IR-driven gameplay. Not "motion controls", which are present, but not unique. I don't think they know what the difference is. They had the same lack of distinction in their MoHH2 review--where the distinction is also Extremely relevant and important.
Co @ Mar 21st 2008 9:12AM
lol i know what u mean... it irks me too!
Carlos @ Mar 21st 2008 2:28AM
i don't trust any 1up review for any Wii game, they've proven time and time again that they just don't get it or just don't want to get it. When they don't like [understand, try...] the controls of a certain game they don't hesitate to drop the game a few points off the score and when they seem to work like in this case (and not just work but they even seem to open new ways of gameplay to a genre that was in desperate need of a push in that direction) they just see it as an ok thing. I mean, gameplay should have the most weigh in a score, more so in a football game, so, if it works as good as they put it, how can it just get a score slightly above their ps3 and 360 versions?. It's not that i care about scores, because i think a 75% must mean it's a good game, but to see this lack of criteria and coherency and how they always fall for hype and take care of the more technical side of games just makes me mad, they're just wrong.
Anyways, i'm buying this game the day it comes out here in Europe, hope it's as good as i'm hoping it is! :P
Co @ Mar 21st 2008 9:10AM
"on one hand, there seem to be some major issues in regards to PS3/360 development, yet the less-technically apt Wii version ends up being the game to move the franchise forward."
I look for this sentiment to be sung throughout the rest of this console generation on many occasions.
DSal @ Mar 21st 2008 11:51AM
Picked this title up on Wednesday and have played it only a bit since, but the control scheme and ability to use space absolutely make this game. While the controls are somewhat complex, the tutorials are quick, easy, and effective and you can be playing a reasonably competent match in no time.
I've never been much for soccer games in the past, but the Wii version of PES may be the best sports game I've ever played. Great game and a bargain at 40 USD.
spazzook @ Mar 21st 2008 1:59PM
Andrew Pfister and anyone else that rights reviews at 1up are bias douche bags
Mr Khan @ Mar 21st 2008 2:17PM
Yep. Step by step the Wii is going to get out of the 3rd party mire. Nothing is going to stop the shovelware, of course, but the well-developed titles, even multiplatform ones (Force Unleashed and Ghostbusters Wii versions look to hold their own) are starting to arrive.
It'll be a slow process, but an inevitable one