Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

A game that by any objective measure now languishes in second place behind EA's spirited new-look FIFA. And yet it's only with a heavy heart that we mark it down a point lower, because we still love PES for its personality.

PES 2009 has been beaten by FIFA 09. Of course, EA's game has made tremendous progress in this year's edition, but the fact is still that PES 2009 has little technical improvements above the previous editions. The game is still fun to play and not a faulty purchase, but Konami will need to rethink the concept to beat their competitor next time.

PES 2009 is a good game, but the times they are changin', and we're afraid that Konami is being left behind. Time for a reboot, Seabass.

The basic act of playing the game is still enjoyable enough, but with FIFA adding loads of great new features like 10 vs 10 online multiplayer, this seems like a step sideways instead of forwards.

This game has graphical beauty but in many other areas it fails to excel. On the other hand, it is still a good game, but it's just a few levels below where it really needs to be to compete with the reborn version of "FIFA."

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is an improvement on last year's game, but this is a series that desperately needs a complete overhaul.

As a lover of the PES series, the time has come to see a complete overhaul to the engine and structure of this ageing formula. With a host of new gameplay modes, and a selection of problematic features, this version of PES will only appeal to the hardcore.

Second place in a two-horse race for Konami, due in part to the law of diminishing returns, and also to EA’s unexpected brilliance.

PES 2009 is an improvement over last year’s game, albeit a very minor one. If the PES franchise wants to stay competitive against FIFA, they certainly have their work cutout for them.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 seems to be, again and lamentably, a lost opportunity. This could have been a great chance to vindicate the lost football throne, to demonstrate to the skeptics that they are cappable to make a great game, and to bring some light to a saga that is suffering, overwhelmed by new titles.

This is easily the worst PES we have ever played. Hopefully next year Konami will work on improving the game. Until then though, we have FIFA 09.

Overall, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 shoots but misses the target. The ideas are there but Konami haven’t executed them as well as they could have done.

The lack of overall polish is inexcusable.

In one word: disappointing.

The PES-versus-FIFA bout is always tough to call, but while neither disappoints, I'll narrowly side with the glitzier, überlicensed competition this season: FIFA 09.

PES is starting to show clear signs of weakness, its technology is outdated, stuck in last generation efforts, and that is affecting gameplay too. Lots of features are gone, including official licenses, which gives a poor general feeling as a package. All this has left PES way behind its big rival FIFA in many fields, lincluding fun factor, something PES was usually king of not that long ago.

When it works, it’s glorious. But rather poorly, it doesn’t work with enough consistency or regularity to reward the kind of extended play most users would expect to get from a new PES title. FIFA is better this year in almost every way possible and while it may grate on long-standing ISS fanboys to go into a shop and buy a FIFA game, there’s no shame whatsoever in simply wanting the best you can get for your money.

Despite all its new features, PES 2009 is packed with problems. [Jan 2009, p.75]