PES 2009: A look

[Cool Joe]

So I got the PES 2009 demo today. I've been awaiting PES with much excitement, after the disappointment caused by FIFA 09.

The demo version contains 6 teams:
Manchester United and Liverpool (which are the two licensed clubs in the Premier League this time)
Barcelona and Real Madrid
Italy and France

And you can only play the exhibition mode with each match lasting 5 minutes.

The game looks like the same old good PES 2008. The menu navigation is quite the same, but it only feels different.

All the usuals are there in the game: Master League, Tournaments etc, but this time, there's a new "Become a Legend" mode. This is just like FIFA's Be a Pro mode, but it's only better. Here, you can play a whole career with your created player. There are transfers, and you can decide whether you want to accept a club's offer or not. And of course, you can customize your character to look just like you (This is not a joke. If you have a webcam, you can take a picture of yourself and use your face on the player. Or you could choose an image of yourself which is already on your hard drive). And there are the usual experience points you gain, and you can spend all those points to improve your attributes. This is unavailable in the demo version, so when I get my hands on the full version, I'll be able to reveal more on this.

The graphics have improved, and the colours look more vibrant now.

The gameplay is the meat of any simulation game. I was expecting PES 2009 to offer the same, superb gameplay that it offered in the past. I returned with mixed feelings though. The gameplay is realistic though. It's just like PES 2008, and there's nothing new about the player movements. BUT, the major difference is that the game is paced faster. It's more arcade styled now. (Not as much as FIFA though) I personally am quite uncomfortable with this. The player are movements are realistic, and that's fine, but the pace is unrealistic. It's just not the way a real game of football is played. But still, I'll say it pawns FIFA hands down.

Overall, PES 2009 hasn't improved much. There are slight improvements in graphics, and the gameplay remains quite the same. For me, the best thing about this game has to be the "Become a Legend" mode. And in terms of gameplay, I already told you, it's better than FIFA 09.

Screenshots


You're greeted with this when you start to play.


This is the way the menu navigation looks.


Match setup.


This is what you see at the start of a game: same as PES 2008.


The players shaking hands at the beginning of a game.


Liverpool's goal scoring talisman: Fernando Torres


Free kicks in PES 2009: Again, same as PES 2008.


Rooney being slide- tackled.


Ronaldo takes a shot.


Corner kicks.


Tevez with the shot. Almost in. Noooooo!!!!


Battling hard for the ball.

[max_demon]

nice review

[ruturaj3]

I personally feel that PES 6 was best. 2008 & 2009 both looks same. I think this time FIFA 09 is better than PES 09 demo. PES looks great only after adding kitsever and other patches.

[ashu888ashu888]

^^ ek aur Arsenal fan (really love this), i guess there are many arsenal fans here incl. me adn Arsenal_gunners too
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Hey Beta, nice review man, thanx for the screenies..

PS: can u post screenies (upon getting the full *ahem..* game) with an Arsenal team and its players and stadium (emirates) plz plz

[s18000rpm]

you can customize your character to look just like you (This is not a joke. If you have a webcam, you can take a picture of yourself and use your face on the player. Or you could choose an image of yourself which is already on your hard drive).

is that for menu screen only or does the player's face changes in 3d model also?

if its for 3d model too, then i think EA should "adopt" this idea into NFS or R* for GTA

btw, nice review.

[ashu888ashu888]

^^ yeah, this is a nice concept ...

btw, EA already experimented on this FACE kind of trick way back in 2000-2003 wen it released NHL 2000 where u cna take a pic of urself and use it ingame.. on a custom made player..

Dunno, y they dropped the idea then !! maybe not many ppl were having webcams or digicams..
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Cheers n e-peace...

[Cool Joe]

Originally Posted by s18000rpm

is that for menu screen only or does the player's face changes in 3d model also?

if its for 3d model too, then i think EA should "adopt" this idea into NFS or R* for GTA

btw, nice review.

It works on the 3D model too I think.

@ashu888ashu88- Don't forget Gagandeep. And OK, when I get the full game, I'll try to post more screenies.
BTW, the PC version of the full game is releasing tomorrow.

[Kl@w-24]

Originally Posted by beta testing

BTW, the PC version of the full game is releasing tomorrow.

Really???

[Cool Joe]

^^Yes. It's releasing officially tomorrow.
Don't know about the others.

[Kl@w-24]

Originally Posted by beta testing

^^Yes. It's releasing officially tomorrow.
Don't know about the others.

"Others" released it 2 days ago

[ashu888ashu888]

Originally Posted by beta testing

@ashu888ashu88- Don't forget Gagandeep. And OK, when I get the full game, I'll try to post more screenies.
BTW, the PC version of the full game is releasing tomorrow.

yup, plz do this favour

Originally Posted by Kl@w-24

"Others" released it 2 days ago

well, didnt the *ahem...* version of PES09 got leaked jus like FIFA09 ???

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Edit: well the PES2009 is released ,i mean the *ahem....* sources..

[thewisecrab]

I have never played PES before, have always played FIFA (from 98 -08 )
although I've heard good reviews about PES, that PES is the best football game, that it beats the entire FIFA franchise hands down, I cant find it in stores (considering that I dont have unlimited net )
Is it releasing in India in stores ?
And
Screenies of Chelsea first

[ashu888ashu888]

^^

well pata nahi abt its release in India (try milestoneinteractive.com) even me a fifa fan and a Linkin PArk fan too (after looking at ur avtaar pic)...

Hv u checked the new FIFA09 ???

See the review (link in my siggy plz)

[Kl@w-24]

Here are some screenies from the full PC version of PES 2009:



More screenies as and when I finally start playing
However, all transfers are NOT updated. A patch is expected within a few days.

[comp@ddict]

The torrent download is HUGE, will hav to wait for SKULLPTURA lolz

[hullap]

yes!
its released,
ps2 ftw

[Kl@w-24]

Originally Posted by comp@ddict

The torrent download is HUGE, will hav to wait for SKULLPTURA lolz

You wanna get banned or what?? And you're well behind the curve it seems

More screenies:

[thewisecrab]

Mindblowing.. I mean... It's like the real deal when it comes to grafix
The "north London/London FC" is due to copyright issues right? Can it be fixed by patches?
Howz the commentary? Is there something like "manager mode" or "be a pro"? How are the tournos like? are there WC tournos? as they are not there in FIFA 08

[Cool Joe]

The game definitely looks good.
@klaw- Thanks a lot for those screenies. And I'm waitin your feedback on the become a legend mode.

@thewisecrab- The WC is there. And you can easily rename all clubs to their right names. There'll even be some patches soon (from outsiders ) which'll update all transfers, and even make all the kits exact. And,
master league= a slightly cut down version of manager mode
become a legend= a faaaar better be a pro mode

[Kl@w-24]

Originally Posted by thewisecrab

Mindblowing.. I mean... It's like the real deal when it comes to grafix
The "north London/London FC" is due to copyright issues right? Can it be fixed by patches?
Howz the commentary? Is there something like "manager mode" or "be a pro"? How are the tournos like? are there WC tournos? as they are not there in FIFA 08

Yup, copyright issues. But there'll be option files out soon. Keep checking PESGaming, PESFaces etc. in the next few weeks. The commentary is way better than FIFA 09 IMO. If you've watched the Barclays Premier League, you'll recognize John Champion's voice pretty easily. You can play the Champions League as well, in full glory!!

Originally Posted by beta testing

The game definitely looks good.
@klaw- Thanks a lot for those screenies. And I'm waitin your feedback on the become a legend mode.

The game looks good and is very, very smooth. The AI is uncompromising. Opposing defenders close you down very quickly, unlike in FIFA 09. I'm playing in the Regular difficulty. I'll play Be A Legend mode as soon as I can wipe this drool off my screen

[comp@ddict]

Lolz not banned o'course, jus follow u guy's footsteps lolz, dun take this seriously mods

[ruturaj3]

Ya great game. And UEFA Champions League looks same as it is live on ten sports.

[IronManForever]

Well, I am looking forward to playing FIFA 2009 this year. Played PES 2008 the last year.
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BTW I am also an Arsenal fan.

[Cool Joe]

Originally Posted by Kl@w-24

The game looks good and is very, very smooth. The AI is uncompromising. Opposing defenders close you down very quickly, unlike in FIFA 09. I'm playing in the Regular difficulty. I'll play Be A Legend mode as soon as I can wipe this drool off my screen

That's great. Looks like PES 2009 wins the gameplay award again. And this time, the become a legend mode is another thing to look at and drool. It looks like PES are closing in on EA with every single release.
BUT, to get the best ever soccer simulation game, you need a mix. Gameplay engine from Konami, FIFA's coverage of teams, tourneys etc. FM style manager mode with damn realistic transfers. This will never happen though (and it's obvious to even a n00b). If it did happen though, we would be on top of the world. The online soccer gaming forums would be dull though, with no FIFA v PES wars......

[Kl@w-24]

Well, well, well... I tried the 'Become A Legend' mode and I'm absolutely awestruck.... Ever dreamt of wearing the shirt of your favourite football club? You can fulfil your dream right here! You can use your own photo for your created player's face and customize the entire look, physique and attributes according to your own real self! I tried a not-so-good and not-so-clear photo:



Super cool!!!
The gameplay is also nice for this mode. Team-mates won't just pass the ball to you because you asked for it. The first match is the one where you'll have scouts from different clubs watching you. Impress them and bag a contract. From then on, you'll first need to make it to the bench. That can be done by playing in intra-squad matches and gaining the trust of the manager. Once you're selected on the bench, you'll need to put in solid & consistent performances to break into the first 11. Virtually everything is similar to a footballer's real-life career!! Whoa!!

A couple of more screenies from the Champions League and the crowd:

[Kl@w-24]

Yet more screenshots. Some things which are unique to PES 2009:

An injured player being carried off the field -



David Villa scores!!!



David Silva celebrates his goal!!



Torres being substituted -



"Well done, son!", says the manager!!

[Cool Joe]

That's awesome!!!! I have always wanted a soccer game where we can get to be the stars and go through most of what real players go through. And finally my dream has come true. That's great. Go Konami go.
The only other game I've played so far like this was New Star Soccer 3. This is just like the be a pro and become a legend modes. But, in this, a lot of character customization isn't possible. But there are some more realistic features. You can earn your money to buy things, like a nice house or new boots. And there're training sessions as well. And you get to have your own personal life alongside your football career. You have to play and keep your boss, friends, family and girlfriend (if you have one) happy. But the graphics are crap compared to FIFA and PES.

[ashu888ashu888]

Hey guys, thanx for the screenies , all of u..

btw, **edited**

[Cool Joe]

^^You wanna get banned asking this in public or somethin???

[ashu888ashu888]

^^ sorry, edited..already..but thanx