Goal.com Special: Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 Review

The gaming world has two big-hitting soccer titles, but does the underdog have the edge?

Dec 23, 2009 12:38:02 AM

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Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (Konami)

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By Shane Evans

Every year two soccer video games are released that millions buy, play and thoroughly enjoy: EA Sports' FIFA franchise and Komani's Pro Evolution Soccer. Evenly-matched in recent years, FIFA took a huge step forward in the 2010 edition and seemingly have the edge over its counterpart.

With the recent release of PES2010, the question everyone wants to know is whether Konami kept pace with FIFA as they have done (and even exceptionally well) in the past.

I'm not sure if you caught my FIFA 10 review that was published a while back, but the folks at Konami did, and were kind enough to send me a copy of PES2010 for my editorial consideration (thanks go to Stephanie for that).

The two games are similar in that they are soccer video games. That is where the parallels end. Yearly touted as a different game to FIFA, PES never disappoints with its realism and authenticity.

I've had the chance to take the game for a spin over the last few weeks and am ready to give a full, mostly accurate, breakdown of what I found, similar to what I did with FIFA. Up first is the game's aesthetic disposition. Wait, this isn't a review for the New Yorker...

Presentation

Taking a vastly different approach to the classic and simple look of FIFA10 (and I’ll try to keep the comparisons to a minimum, I hope), PES2010 greets you with the the majesty that is the sport.

A bellowing and beautiful introduction filled with artistic designs and opera-singing, I was immediately drawn to how the sport can often be more than a game. I'm not sure if that makes sense or not, but it was refreshing to see how they made soccer appear more of an art form than a brutish pastime.

Aside from the intro, the game is very nicely set up with clean loading screens and menus. For a first-time player like myself, certain things were a bit foreign, but that's expected. Getting used to it wasn't difficult and once I jumped that hurdle things became natural and easy to navigate.

The biggest one-up PES2010 has over FIFA 10 is the inclusion of the Champions League. You know whenever you hear the CL theme song, which is a little like the intro to the game, it's time for the biggest club tournament in the world. Fully licensed, this aspect of the game is visually pleasing. Just like what you see on TV before and during matches as far as the on-screen stuff, PES2010 really wins big with this.

Unfortunately, licensing is also their biggest issue, and always has been. Outside of the Champions League and a handful of clubs and sponsors, the PES series doesn't have the rights to much else. There is no EPL, no La Liga, few real kits, stadiums, etc. You're playing a soccer game, yes, but at times you don't feel right scoring with Didier Drogba of London FC.

Lovely work on the presentation 9/10.

Graphics

PES has always had the upper hand as far as graphics have been concerned. Very natural looking players and pitches, the series is definitely easy on the eyes. Player likenesses are consistently strong and have been improved once more.

Everything looks the way you'd hoped it would on a next generation gaming console. Using the Playstation 3 version, the players look real and, coupled with the aforementioned presentation, the game is quite nice to look at.

I'd say that this aspect of the game is it's strongest feature, which, depending on the type of sports gamer you are, could either be a great thing or extremely frustrating. For me, it's a bit of both. I appreciate the effort put into the graphics, but this hard work could have been applied to other areas.

Great graphics, perfect score here 10/10.

Features

PES2010 has the usual set of features and modes you’d expect from a sports game. You have your exhibition mode, career mode (Become A Legend), Champions League mode, manager mode (Master League) and all are quite in-depth and appealing.

Different from FIFA in many ways, the Master League presents you with a more detailed view of what life as a footy manager is like. Instead of going game-by-game like FIFA, you go week by week and are able to do various activities between the simulation periods.

You have more of a handle on the club's finances and are able to disperse them accordingly. Sponsorships are done well as you have more than one and, depending on the size of your club, have a varying cash flow.

The mode is a bit difficult to navigate though, as the central hub is circular and a bit of a pain to pick up at first. After a while it becomes second nature and the addictive qualities of the mode come to the fore.

If you want to take a romp on the continent and play the just the Champions League, that is an option as well, one that I was pleased with. As soon as you enter the mode, you are struck with the theme song that we all know and love and begin to full immerse yourself in the tournament.

It's like if there was a World Cup mode or Euro mode. Very nice feature that adds to the realism (or lack thereof) that the game offers.

My favorite feature in the game is Become A Legend. Not the mode itself really, though it is good, but the create-a-player that comes first. I'm big on customization in games as they make you feel more connected to what you are playing. PES2010 does an excellent job with this as you can change everything from your players shooting style to the celebrations he uses after scoring.

Some issues, but in all done well 8/10.

Gameplay

Where FIFA excelled this year was with its 360 dribbling and added skill moves, etc. PES adds the 360 degree dribbling as well, but it doesn't feel as fluid as the competition.

Players have an unfortunately rigid and jittery sprint that in itself is enough for some gamers to switch. When the players don't move correctly, what's the point? It wasn't a huge problem for me, but I could see it being a serious concern for others.

The controls were also a bit difficult to pick up, but I think that’s because I've been so engrained in the FIFA layout that it took me a bit to understand PES'. I really like how you can use the right stick (on PS3) for passing as you obviously have more control over power and direction with the stick than by pressing the X button.

Another strong feature of this game is the shooting. The players make accurate motions when winding up and the release is spot on. You can see the power coming from the shots and I can't really put my finger on why, but it just feels like a shot.

Where shooting excels, the skill moves don't. You can do nice things with the ball, as one would expect from a soccer video game in 2009, but there simply aren't enough. Again, I may be speaking as a traditionally FIFA-exclusive player here, but your creativity on the ball seems a bit limited. That'll have to change for next year.

Some kinks and frustrating bits, but still decent 6/10.

Experience

Despite its flaws, this game has lasting appeal. The games feel real, and certainly give you an authentic soccer experience. The modes are deep and certainly have replayability. Is that a word? You get what I mean. Simply put, there is lots to do in this game.

Creating myself in the Become A Legend mode was nice and seeing how my team progressed in the Master League mode was something different than what I was used to with FIFA.

I liked this game a lot because, as I said before, it makes soccer feel like something more. It's about the beauty and grace of the game, not just a game. You feel like you're experiencing the finest sport on the planet (which is fact, by the way) instead of just another game in a line of sports games.

Having it standout like that is definitely one of my favorite things about the game, and one that is often lost in the sports titles of today.

Originality is key in my book 8/10.

Pros & Cons

Pros: Lovely presentation, Champions League integration, shooting dynamics, player realism, create-a-player depth.

Cons: Strange sprinting animations, lack of licensing, confusing controls, quirky menus, too few skill moves.

Overall: 41/50

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 does a lot to grasp its title as the best soccer game on the market, but not enough to match the improvements made in FIFA 10. A great game in its own right, loyal fans of the series will be happy with what was added and it should even win over a few niche gamers in the process. My only hope is that next year's version fixes a few of the annoying problems in the game, thus lifting the series to its full potential.

Shane Evans is an associate editor of Goal.com

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