Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is Konami’s third attempt at a next generation soccer game. The first, PES 2008 was at best a poor soccer game, with jerky animation, constant slowdowns and graphics that had not improved over the PS2 version. Their second attempt, PES 2009, smoothed out the problems of their first release but never improved any aspect of the game, making it a collection of bug fixes. During this time EA have re-invented FIFA to become a superb soccer experience. Fans of PES have been desperately waiting for this new release hoping that Konami can fight back with a worthy next generation soccer game.
The menu system within the game has been updated with a modern look and feel. Background music has always been a little crazy with high tempo pop tunes playing, but they have finally improved the experience with a modern sound track including artists like the Klaxons. PES has the official Champions League licences and some minor European leagues, giving the major teams of Europe their real player’s names, but it still falls short of the full player coverage that FIFA contains.
The team tactic option screen have had a major update, with the hexagonal players ability view being replaced with a numeric values representing specific players ability. These now change depending on the position you currently play them, so a defender’s ability will go down if you position them in attack. Individual team style setting is now fully customisable giving obsessed players the ability to manage every aspect of how they perform on the pitch. Commentary is again provided by Lawrenson and Champion from the English Premiership, unfortunately it feels like they are both in different rooms, watching a different game of soccer.
The master league is back with improvements including the ability to complete in the Champions League and improved menu system, providing a highly addictive and enjoyable experience. The become a legend game is included again, where you control a single player on a team and shape his individual career. This has had small improvements, but is something that I struggle to find enjoyable.
Graphically the game has finally joined the High Definition world with players detail resembling their real world counterpart and stadiums looking and feeling like the real things. Animation has improved beyond recondition over the last two versions, though it’s still a way behind the fluidity that players move within FIFA.
The big feature PES has been showcasing this year is 360-degree player control, enabling players to move in any direction that they chose as oppose to the standard 8 directions available in previous versions. The player movement has improved and it feels more natural moving them around the pitch, but it feel more like around 16 possible directions than the 360 they boast.
The internet and PES has had a rocky relationship so far, from the constant laggy game play, to the hardship involved just starting a game. Fans have been hoping that they will finally iron out their differences with this year’s release. They have finally removed the numerous logins and screens you go through to start a game and have widened the multiplayer features available. Though the biggest problem has always been the constant lag while playing online, and yes this has been improved with most games being lag free, but it’s still a long way behind the smooth experience that FIFA offers.
Overall comparing the two games, FIFA is a far more polished game with every feature and option available that you could ever want. FIFA offers an online experience that is smooth and feature rich and in theory is a far superior game. But playing games is about enjoyment and when I want to play some soccer I always end up putting in PES into my PlayStation. PES delivers on the pure excitement of playing soccer with fast paced and challenging games.
