Hi fellas, just got back from Germany to my homeland Australia and wanted to post my impressions of both games.
If people remember, I posted one of the first impressions last year for FIFA 07 on 360 and subsequently for UEFA CL 06/07.
I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to see FIFA 08 and PES 2008 in action in Leipzig, and have a proper hands on on both, and here are my impressions:
Since this is a FIFA forum, I'll keep PES comments to a minimum, so why not start with just a quick summary of PES.
PES fans will be happy with this installment as it definitely is what PES6 on 360 was suppose to be. It is sharp, full of incredible animations, excellent ball physics, some impressive faces and player models and what's most important it really plays well.
At first it seems like same ol' same ol', but as with any PES it grows on you after a while.
- It is less robotic than before, and I was most impressed with the animation. It really has to be seen, such an attention to detail.
- The game is a bit fast for my liking and for that very reason it seems more arcadey than the game actually is.
- Animation wise, like I already said, the game is incredible experience.
- Load times are minimal, no "black screens" after fouls, corners etc... get's you back in the action right away.
- I'm not a huge fan of the default ball (purple one) but ball physics are great. It bounces off like a real thing, and player reaction when hit by the ball is awesome.
- Net physics are impressive if not a tad too "springy".
- Shooting has been improved, it is more realistic than PES6, which had some ridiculous shots from 5 yards away (balooned in the sky for example)
- Flow of the game is very FLUID, it is as fluid as it gets...
At first 360 version looked to have an edge over PS3, which was quite surprising to me, however I realised that old Sharp screens used to demo PES on PS3 were to blame. Once I saw the game up and running on X series bravia's it looks pretty much identical as 360 version... Again, it may be slightly disappointing to hear that, as there were rumours that PS3 is a platform PES is built on and then ported on other platforms so seeing that it is the same thing as 360 might disappoing some PS fanboys.
The only concern I had graphics wise is some slowdowns during cut scenes, so let's hope Konai irons this out before game goes gold.
More importantly, the impressions of the FIFA 8 are very very positive. We all loved 07, at least the direction it was suppose to take the series. It was surely flawed, but definitely a move in the right direction. Well, it seems like EA finally arrived to that "right direction" with 08.
It is one incredibly impressive looking game, at FULL 1080p HD resolution and 60 fps for both PS3 and 360.
The game looks identical on both platforms which is great.
Details in 08 are stunning, I think even after months and months of playing it will keep people impressed. Animation is crazy. My wife thought it was a real match on Tele we were watching, even though she knew it was a game. So at times it really tricks.
Colours are much better than 07 washed out look, game is vibrant, with impressive lighting. Player models look better than ever, with kits that fold and become dirty/sweaty.
The menu looks pretty much the same as 07 and CL 06/07 which is not bad at all. The arena is now in the daylight, as opposed to a night arena that was in 07 and here I had a chance to check out the new tricks system and just play around with Ronaldhino.
The new tricks system is in a word GREAT.
I can't imagine better implementation of tricks in a football game than this. It is "logical", and it takes some getting used to. What is important is that you can't execute all the tricks with all players, there are some tricks like elastico, which only ronaldhino (and suppose a few other players) can do, at least I was able to pull off only with ronaldhino. Basic tricks are easy to execute and some more advanced naturally flow from here, but some of the really technical tricks are quite tricky to do and it is great to see that there is a balance in the actual execution of the tricks, and not just tapping the button or spinning the trick stick. So it will take time to master some of the more advanced tricks.
In a summary, tricks are back, better than ever and the look of these, feel and usability is absolutely spot on. It will make the game completely different to last year's installment.
Gameplay wise, it plays extremely well. Game is much much more responsive, and you feel more in control. It doesn't feel like players are on a rail and it is well done how players translate one animation into another. So controls are much better, which will be the first thing you notice when you play for the first time.
Shooting, crossing and passing is significantly improved and feels different than last year's game. Feels very natural and unscripted.
The pace is football perfect (as opposed to PES which is much faster than real football), and attention to detail is incredible.
For the sake, in PES for example when you are executing a free throw, and you start moving a player left or right, the player spins over his axis (i.e. it slides)... In Fifa 08, the player actually twists his upper body towards the player you want to throw the ball to with feet perfectly planted in the ground, then takes a couple of steps back and throws the ball. It looks amazing, and very realistic. This attention to detail will knock you off the ground. There is no sliding/treading in Fifa at all...
The ball feels more free than in 07, and it flows naturally from one player to another. Passing looks amazing, especially first touch passing. Manual passing has been improved from 07. Ball feels heavy enough and is convincing.
Shooting has been much improved, and shots off the ground finally look like they should, no more "funny" looking shots or jump shots like in 07. These are still in the game, but happen in the appropriate occasion.
The ball bounces off very realistically when you hit other players, so there is a definite distinction when the ball hits another human being and a post for example.
Sounds is as crazy as it always has been in Fifa.
A few problems that I found a bit disappoing were AI related, especially GK AI, as I scored a few cheap goals, AI players not responding to a ball that was just a meter away from them, and occasionally players not running towards the ball when you pass them, however an EA guy was quick to point out that the version we were playing is older than the one team is working on and that AI was one of the top on the list things to be balanced out before the game ships.
Let's hope they improve it.
On a more positive note, I haven't noticed ridiculous GK saves like when you shoot full power and GK just catches it like it was a cheap shot, instead GK punches the ball or just deflects it in the other way. This made close shots more interesting. Also, the GK l doesn't just magically deflect the ball to the opposition forward, which was case in 07 and some really cheap goals scored. Sliding tackes look incredible and animations when you knock a player will blow you away.
Another disappointment is net physics which are identical to last year's game. I don't know what's wrong with EA and net physics, last gen game had better net physics than next-gen game. It is quite funny to see a ball almost getting "sticky" to a net like it is a spider web not goal net. Oh well, we'll have to live with it I guess. But it does hurt overall slick presentation and spot on attention to details.
Fifa is definitelly not just tweaked version of 07. It certainly uses the same engine as a basis, but game feels, looks and plays like a completely different game, which is good of course.
I had just one match of be a pro and it looks like a great addition to a game. It is definitely something I will give a proper shot once the game ships. I was worried that it would be boring and not properly presented, but I was wrong, the camera is awesome and it you really get a feeling you are "in the game".
All in all, we will have 2 proper next-gen, and I dare to say, first next-gen football games worth it's next-gen name.
Both PS3 and 360 receive same treatment graphics, sound, gameplay wise so no fanboyism by the system.
Between PES and Fifa, both are incredibly enjoyable and you would be MAD not to get both. At least I will... And even if historically only played one or the other, you'll be happy with sticking to your choice, as both are an improvement to games before.
Football games are definitely stellar this year.
Here in Australia we usually get FIFA a week before EU release, so I'll come back mid-late September to post the impressions of a final game.
Till then, happy reading, and hopefully you get something out of this post.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have and I'll try to answer them.
P.S. Just a note to guys that I played Fifa 07 online last year, I had a bad experience with my 360 (6 consoles died on me) so I changed camps and you can find me on PSN...
Cheers.
Peace!
