Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

Pro Evolution Soccer is still the game to beat. [Dec 2008, p.85]

A lot of minor improvements and the official UEFA Champions League license make sure that Pro Evolution Soccer can defend the number one spot - but this time it has to share it with FIFA 09. Despite the license, not all teams carry their original name and the Champions League is called European Championship. The online-mode works for the first time, but it's still too complicated and unclear. All in all, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is a bit better than last year's version, but only as good as FIFA 09.

Definitely the most realistic of the two big arcade footie franchises on the PC, but the steep learning curve may put off some gamers. [Feb 2009, p.92]

Just on the match alone, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is a fantastic game. [Dec 2008, p.68]

The match engine is a return to form and it feels somewhat relieving knowing I’ll have a football game to enjoy this year, but the entire thing looks thrown together and basic when compared to what a certain other developer is getting out of the same development kit.

It still isn't quite sure if it's arcade or simulation, but at least the players aren't racing through the field like in last year's edition.

New arrival to the PES family somehow forgets that there can be beginners in this series but in all other aspects PES 09 dominates. New licenses and Champions League are a pleasant surprise. [Nov 2008]

Konami has given PES 2009 a shove back into the past – in a good sense. Thanks to a calmer and more evolved gameplay as well as advanced graphics, PES is once again playable – also due to the acquisition of the UEFA-licence. At the end of the day, PES, however, is still exceeded by FIFA. [Issue # 16]

Still, we can't help but feel that there's going to be thousands of PES fans who embrace the power of the dark side this year, on account of the fact that it simply doesn't feel like Konami is putting much effort into the so-called 'next-gen' versions of PES these days - and that includes PC.

The basic feel of this instalment is that it’s a slightly better than normal football yearly re-release, than a drastic overhaul of the game play. [Dec 2008, p.7]