PES2008 Gamespot Review = 7.0

[monst]

PES 08 not as good as PES 6

I've been playing PES now since it's first incarnation (as I don't think ISS Pro counts, so, I'm talking about Pro Evolution Soccer...). The last decent football game that EA did was FIFA 98 and that, at the time was brilliant.

It was at PES 05, which Konami got horribly wrong (IMO of course) which made me try Fifa '07. I played it to death and then realised that something was missing, a certain Je ne sais quoi, which drew me, eventually back to PES (PES 6 in this case).

I have been playing PES 6, TO DEATH (to my wife's annoyance!! lol) ever since and it has to be said, that even though I have bought (and played quite a lot) PES 2008, I still keep going back to PES 06.

In my view, PES 06 is the closest we've come yet to a proper simulation of football. One of my mates (who is rather good at PES 06, to say the least) and a die hard football supporter bought and played Fifa 08 for quite a while (only because PES 06 looked pants upscaled on his PS3 and LCD!), but, he just wanted to play a good football game. His report to me was less than favourable and basically mirrored my views of FIFA 07. It is an arcade game, a dumbed down version of football for kids.

So, if you're older than 25 and still playing FIFA - grow up and if you're younger than 25 and playing FIFA - you'll learn...

But this is the best piece of advice I can give, if you want to enjoy playing football, stick with PES 6, it's still the best football game around.

 

[borjan]

pes6?

with star players like Adriano, Ibrahimovic going straight to goal and defenders just move away from them, deflecting from them like they are made from iron?

You call that a simulation? a bunch of stupid AI mistakes, flying SB who run out of space just to create space for flowing game, mega idiotic goalkepeers?

you call a simulation a game that invented new way of scoring goals, famous "cutbacks" who are 50% of human to human goals?


so either You have played against AI or You dont know what soccer looks like on TV? or You are just another fan boy

 

[monst]

Hey Borjan,

"In my view, PES 06 is the closest we've come yet to a proper simulation of football" - A direct quote from my post....

I never said it was perfect and it isn't, but it's the one that 'feels' most right to me.

It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it.

Sounds to me like you're the 'Fan Boy' around here, ruffle a few feathers did I? lol

The reason I posted in the first place was really to say, just because it's old (like me!) doesn't mean the newest incarnation is automatically better.

Yes, I agree the AI is a little crap at times, but at least it's not a parting of the waves like when you go on a run in 2008 (which is just pathetic by the way).

I could debate this all day with you, but truth be told, it's only my opinion.

To answer your question though, I've played plenty of human opponents and yes, I do have a TV - a rather nice 42" 1080p LCD so I can see the action even more clearly - oh and I've only been watching the 'beautiful game' for the last 25 years, so I can't know anything about it at all, eh?

Maybe I was a little over the top with what I said about FIFA and I apologise for that, but next time, instead of 'having a go' try holding a conversation, it's a much more pleasant experience...

 

[Matthiasvdb]

Just installed PES2008.

To be honest i still love PES4. Since PES 5 things went in another direction. Maybe i just have to play a little longer to get used to it, but yeah...
Anyway, since PES5 they're still looking for the right balance, and haven't found it yet.

 

[monst]

Yeah, Pes4 was great, didn't like 5, too many stoppages, but 6 is defo worth a go if you liked 4. Will be interested to know what you think of 2008...

 

[borjan]

Hey Borjan,
Maybe I was a little over the top with what I said about FIFA and I apologise for that, but next time, instead of 'having a go' try holding a conversation, it's a much more pleasant experience...

I cant be a fanboy, cause after 10 years of Konami Im now playing FIFA

so I damn Konami for that:s***:

btw Im holding a conversation, I just pulled You 3 reason why PES6 isnt even close to simulation

with PES6 might konami soccer sim became arcadish crap, and that "vision" from them is now PES2008, which is absolutely bad game in terms of sim

Pes5 had it all, balance of game of was PERFECT...You needed to build good action to have some free spaces to enter in 1on1 on a gk...even with Barca and excellent players...it was a game where You could easily beat Barca with Kopengahen if You had good skills...in PES6 that became virtually impossible, users with no skills beating good skilled players only cause they took better club...in PEs2008 that "syndrom" became even worse....

i reacted on your post cause "Your feeling" isnt crucial for a good sim game

so for me in terms of getting close to simulating real thing list would be this:

1.KING PES5
2.FIFA 2008
3.PES3
4.PES6
5.PES2008
6.PES4

 

[monst]

Borjan, whatever we think, I agree wholeheartedly on the PES 2008 front, it is ridiculous that Konami are going backwards. Yes, we've got the nice graphics and snazzy front end, but no substance. The players movements for one, although positionally marginally better than 6 (eg for one, I prefer the way they run onto through balls instead of looking at it, which they do, very annoyingly in 6 from time to time), it's the way they move when on the ball, t's not terribly realistic compared to the real thing, although they have improved the running, the 'lolloping' is far more pronounced.

I have to disagree on the point of 'feeling'. The game definitely has to have the right feel and for you that was (or is) 5 and that's fair enough, it is a very good game (only tainted in my view with overly picky refs, which meant the games were very stacatto - in my view the ref's whistle should not become an annoyance).

I do have to hold my hands up to the fact that I never played master-league in 5, which is all I do in 6, so the problems you mentioned have not really affected my enjoyment of the game. My SB's seem to behave and my keepers are pretty dependable, more so than 4 and as for "the famous "cutbacks" who are 50% of human to human goals?" I honestly don't know what you mean. Could you elaborate?

Did you ever play ISS by the way? I think I had that on the SNES, loved that game, but the best football game I've ever played (ok, really showing my age here! lol) is Sensible Soccer. I had that on the Amiga. At the time it was amazing, which is probably why I'm so fond of it...

 

[Jip_Travolta]

Well i got £24 +p&p on EBAY for PES 2008. good riddance because it's rubbish.

Anyone that can say the online experience is enjoyable is a liar or works for CONAMI. IT RUBBISH!!!!!!!


A year without a football game, goddammit. Nah, it's worth it cos this years installment just sucks.

Jip will be back in 2008

 

[borjan]

cutback goals are goals when you go down the wing then easy pass to the middle for clean scoring...cause of stupid SB and stupid defence in generally in pes6

I see You play Master League...is that vs AI?

go online and You will probably learn what is cutback goal, go play humans

but cutbacks are not pes6 biggest problem, problem is unreal balance of star players when they magically run through your defence without a problem

 

[Jotun]

Gamespot are no one's fanboys that's for sure.
"...you'll be impressed at how well Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 plays on the PlayStation 2. It captures the realism of the sport almost perfectly, but most importantly, it remains eminently playable".

That is said about the PS2 version of the game.Hardly Fifa-fanboy coverage.
That beyond that the game has numerous flaws that outdo the good is obvious.Fifa 08 is the winner for me too this year.

 

[n_t_a_l_e_x]

so for me in terms of getting close to simulating real thing list would be this:

1.KING PES5
...

I’d rather prefer to take a number one KING place with WE9:LE (jap analog PES5).

 

[monst]

Hi Borjan,

I don't play online any more, got so fed up with lag in the second half of matches, it was spoiling the game. I don't mind losing against someone better than me (and there are plenty of people better than me!!) but I do mind when my players suddenly stop and the next thing I know, the ball is past them. I still don't know if this has been sorted out, or what the cause was (is - if it's still going on), but it seemed to me to be too convenient that I would be 3-0 up and cruising at half time, then the lag would start and then I'd lose, to a player that I shouldn't have lost to.

For that, Konami need shooting and it sounds like the online play in 2008 is no better.

In terms of basic techniques, passing the ball from the edge of the box to the striker in a central position is a very legitimate play. I don't have a problem with that, because it happens. You have to position your defender right on the corner of the 6 yard box or on the penalty spot, as in real football, to try to either intercept the ball in or make a tackle on the player receiving the ball. That's just basic footballing knowledge.

If you're talking from a perspective of the player making the run (with the ball) to the touchline dragging defenders out of position, well, that happens too and the better sides in professional and top player difficulty levels cope much better with that tactic. My mate uses that tactic on me and I just had to learn to cope with it. What isn't real about that?

As for top players being able to ghost past defenders, well, I suppose they wouldn't be top players if they couldn't... That happens too in real life. If their stats say they are very powerful, then they will be able to hold defenders off. Look at Wayne Rooney for instance - he's a very powerful player in real life and can ghost past defenders, in real life, can bounce off defenders in real life.

I haven't played FIFA 08 yet, so maybe I'll give it a go, just to see what all the arguments are about. I don't have anything against the Fifa series except it seems to concentrate more on the tricks and frills rather than pure and swift passing football, which is why I suppose that PES 6 'feels' more realistic certainly than Fifa '07, to me. Sure, I can do the tricks, but I shouldn't have to use them all the time. Swift and accurate passing is after all how football is the majority of the time, with the tricks being the icing on the cake.

 

[borjan]

I know You can cope with cutbacks goals, but I simpy cant cope with stupid AI who doesnt mark attacker in cutback situations, even on man marking

I never played any FIFA after 1998, there was no need really but in pes6 and pes2008 I simply was getting a headache how your AI players move in order to creat artifical flow of game

its so obvious and cheap from konami

as said before,for TOP players, Im ok that they can better make all stuf, but its simply unrealistic that Zlatan or Adriano are coming directly to my defender, no left or right, no trick, just run straight into him and my defender bounces off and Adriano or Zlatan (many others also) has a free space to run into goal

there is no real skill in that, You just need strong team and run straight forward, you will easily get a chance against middle low class teams...for me thats simply unacceptable and thats main reason why is this arcade game

heres little video about most anoyying things in pes2008 and same mistakes are also in pes6
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ba7k_six-reasons-why-i-hate-pes2008

and here is final game from World Championship in Pes6, notice the gameplay...Zlatan and r2...simply laughable, no near the real soccer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRdH7sHGHPM

dont get me wrong, PES can be fun, but in terms of simulating the real thing, not even close, cause it has so many exploits

I dont wanna spam any more, you should try fifa08 and give it a 50matches chance, and make own decision

 

[coosmac]

after few games I hated it, I really thought Konami finally dropped the ball this year.

But, after 2 season of ML
I'm loving this game.

Reviewers need to play lot more before writting their reviews I guess.

 

[Interista13]

I know You can cope with cutbacks goals, but I simpy cant cope with stupid AI who doesnt mark attacker in cutback situations, even on man marking

I never played any FIFA after 1998, there was no need really but in pes6 and pes2008 I simply was getting a headache how your AI players move in order to creat artifical flow of game

its so obvious and cheap from konami

as said before,for TOP players, Im ok that they can better make all stuf, but its simply unrealistic that Zlatan or Adriano are coming directly to my defender, no left or right, no trick, just run straight into him and my defender bounces off and Adriano or Zlatan (many others also) has a free space to run into goal

there is no real skill in that, You just need strong team and run straight forward, you will easily get a chance against middle low class teams...for me thats simply unacceptable and thats main reason why is this arcade game

heres little video about most anoyying things in pes2008 and same mistakes are also in pes6
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ba7k_six-reasons-why-i-hate-pes2008

and here is final game from World Championship in Pes6, notice the gameplay...Zlatan and r2...simply laughable, no near the real soccer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRdH7sHGHPM

dont get me wrong, PES can be fun, but in terms of simulating the real thing, not even close, cause it has so many exploits

I dont wanna spam any more, you should try fifa08 and give it a 50matches chance, and make own decision

Mate, just so you know I respect all of your views and opinions. You do bring up some good points. However, if you hate the fact that you can take Ibra or Adriano, etc. and just score goals with them, why don't you lower their stats to make them more realistic then?

And also that video you posted about the 6 things that guy hates for me seemed idiotic. Ok, so there are bugs in the game. That guy was obsessing too much about the stupidest of things. For example, i think it was #5 where he was mad because instead of hitting the ball out his defender kept it instead? OMG, now THAT guy should just calm down. And also the fact that not all of his passes reached who he wanted to, and they went to the opposition. While that may seem as a bug, it still can happen in real life...not all the time but it happens...I like that bug because it makes the game more challenging and interesting...

 

[monst]

Interesting Coosmac, what has made you change your mind?

 

[monst]

Mate, just so you know I respect all of your views and opinions. You do bring up some good points. However, if you hate the fact that you can take Ibra or Adriano, etc. and just score goals with them, why don't you lower their stats to make them more realistic then?

And also that video you posted about the 6 things that guy hates for me seemed idiotic. Ok, so there are bugs in the game. That guy was obsessing too much about the stupidest of things. For example, i think it was #5 where he was mad because instead of hitting the ball out his defender kept it instead? OMG, now THAT guy should just calm down. And also the fact that not all of his passes reached who he wanted to, and they went to the opposition. While that may seem as a bug, it still can happen in real life...not all the time but it happens...I like that bug because it makes the game more challenging and interesting...

I think that's it in a nutshell. If you can see past the minor annoyances, the gameplay is very rewarding to say the least.

 

[coosmac]

Interesting Coosmac, what has made you change your mind?

I just got use to the new game.:Carlos*o:


I play the PC version.
For some reason they changed the control from PS2 format to XBOX format for PCs this year.
I'm pretty sure PS2 format XBOX format has very diffrent sensitivity level.

All the changes they made plus the control sensitivity change threw me off too much at the beginning.

I think shootings are lot more realistic than 2007......althought I think they made crosses too dangerous this year?
(yellow card for opponents(Computer) player taking a dive in the box was pretty sweet )

 

[ZeroCool79]

Nice discussion
Also have played for ages and I think Borjan needs to learn to play more. He says it is impossible to beat better teams with weaker ones? I do it in PES 6 online. It is not easy but you just gotta play concentrated. In real Life Peru probably would beat brazil 1 out of 15 times and well i beat brazil in pes5 like 5 out of ten and to good players. The cutback thing is just rubbish. I also hated that attack but then i put on the manual deffending and when a guy went to the side and centered, i had my defender already in place covering the striker in the box. How do I do this? I think if you play this game so much one should know. But i do it by pressing square to make a deffender follow the wing man so that he cannot make a good pass or to even get the ball from him and while I do this I am controlling my other defender. That reduces like 90 the goals. So please stop blaming the games for you lack of skills. I agree with that pes 05 was fun but also think that all the games have their pros and cons. You just cant have it all. Remember its a game. You wanna it to be more realistic then get a ball and go play outdoors. So please, all opinions are respected but we have plenty of options (PES 5, PES 6 , pes07 ..) so choose one. But PES 6 is the one I play cuz I can play it online well and i just feel it more.

PEACE and lets just face the fact some just dont know deffence!

 

[borjan]

no, you put it totally in wrong direction

I lived with pes whole last 10 years

I know every trick, im best in my neighborhoood, and Im in top 15 players in Balkans online league

Im also in first class in pes6, and NEVER play with Brasil/Inter

I never said it is impossible to beat Barca or Brasil with weaker teams, I have done it numerous times

Im just saying that PES5 was much more balanced and real game than PEs6 and 2008.

Is it hard to understand that PES has became arcade game and that competition and skills are not so more important like scoring divine goals with superstars?...yes, its fun but no realism in that,, this game simply is for kids and easy fun, in terms of competition it all fells apart

In newer versions they even dissalowed Covering option in defence tactics Menu,also my defenders are stambling and falling when Adriano hits them in front which is hilarious cause in easiest way should be offensive foul, numorus cheats in favor of superstars

I know all defending tricks, 2nd defender pressure, man marking, ofsside trap, Im bloody good in tackling, Im great in SC....


thats why I hate konami for simplyfing what it used to be great game

in stead of Evolution we got now simplified R2 soccer arcade game