Interfering With Play – Tuesday 27th October 2009

Posted by Dan Bolas in Interfering With Play on Tue 27 Oct 2009

Welcome to this week’s Interfering With Play. I am fully aware that there are quite a few new people visiting this site in light of the recent release of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, and therefore felt it would be a good time to briefly recap about what we try to offer on PESGaming.com. We are a site dedicated to football gamely, mainly the Konami franchise Pro Evolution Soccer. We are not officially linked with Konami; however we have got contacts at the company who pay attention in the site and whom we speak to on a regular basis. Alongside the latest PES news, we run a number of weekly columns, designed to provoke discussions as well raise valid points surrounding the world of football video games. Over the past seven days, demand for the site has been, to put it mildly, ridiculous. We are number one on Google when typing in PES, and as a result, we have suffered some technical difficulties. I would like to go on record apologising for anyone who has been unable to access the site since the games release, and believe the technical department are looking into a way of optimising the site. From a personal point of view, I am still very much in the honeymoon period with Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, and in spite of me writing a pre-release review, I will be picking up things I both like and dislike about the latest offering in the upcoming weeks. With this said, lets get rolling with this week’s Interfering With Play.

“I’m Sorry I Mistreated You, Pretty Lady”

First point this week, and it is something that has stemmed from a handful of comments being posted on this site, is some people’s reaction to Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. I would like to point out that if you have played PES 2010 and you don’t like it, for whatever reason, which is perfectly fine. I respect people’s opinions or all media formats, and computer games are no different. Whilst I am very sure PES isn’t for every video game fan, I know that there are many football fans out there that see it as the most genuine interpretation of the ‘beautiful game’ and for that reason the franchise is still going strong today. My gripe falls into the people who have still yet to play the game, and yet criticise it blindly, or based upon video footage and the demo version. In relation to other media, you wouldn’t judge an entire movie based on someone else’s opinion or the trailer of said film. You might have a better idea of what that film might feature, but without experiencing the complete product, you’re opinion will never be as well rounded as that which the director and actors wish it to be.

It is the same argument for any video game, and in particular PES. Konami released a demo to give us a taste of the game, and then videos have popped up showing the game, but without spending a few hours sitting down and playing it, your not really in a position to pass comment. I fully appreciate people may be waiting until pay day or even Christmas to pick up a copy of the game, but then reserve your judgement until you have played the game, and not simply jump on a negative bandwagon!

My further issue is with people who were taking the game back on the same day as purchasing it. I understand that the game may not have lived up to some people’s expectations, but not to give the game 24 hours comes across as slightly narrow minded. There are many games I have played over the years that I have not enjoyed, and even a couple that I have gone as far as to return to the shop, but I always give the game a few hours worth of game play when making that decision, based over two or three days minimum. It will be interesting to see how many of those people who genuinely returned their game continue to visit this site, and discuss that game, now that the community knows they will not be playing it! Unless of course, they went and brought back a second hand copy!

As I said at the start of this week’s column, it is still very much a honeymoon period for PES and myself, and as that wears off, I am sure I will get a much deeper understanding of the games flaws and problems. However, based upon what I have experienced so far, PES 2010 will be in my machine until October next year and that in itself is no mean feat. My question for you guys, just as a poll, is to see how many of the ‘many’ people who are unhappy with the game have actually returned it? So if you’re a regular poster or just a new visitor wanting to get involved, simply leave a comment saying returned or keeping it! Feel free to elaborate on either choice, and if you want to e-mail me personally, my address is at the bottom of the article.

“Around The World”

Having had a few games online on PES 2010, my most distinctive impression is for the first time on the PS3, PES is genuinely playable online. I have played only a few games, and have watched a few mates play a couple on their various consoles too, and at no point have I felt the game suffered because of lag or slowdown. This is itself an improvement, one that no doubt heavily lends to the scrapping of the Konami ID system, and hopefully is a sign of things to come.

Online however, is not perfect. Whereas offline I don’t notice any delay in reaction times, online I most definitely do. This kind of delay is no different to that which I experience on NBA or even FIFA, but it does genuinely make me change the way I play the game. In my first online game, I lost 2-1, against a decent opponent. Being 1-0 up and comfortable, I chose to use long pass to clear a ball instead of shoot. This meant a power bar charged up and that slight delay allowed my clearance to be blocked, resulting in an equaliser. I don’t blame the delay for this, but it simply means that I have to change my way of clearing the ball when playing online. The second goal conceded was a well worked cross and finish, with Nani exploiting Clichy at the back post for a header. Some people might blame the keeper, but a header from inside the six yard box is pretty unsaveable unless it hits you!

To follow this up, and learning from my technical errors, I drubbed a decent French player 6-0, with him being Real Madrid. This fills me with confidence that you can actually use different teams and get results, with Van Persie, no renowned for his ability to run at people or pace, managing to net four. This is a step forward again, and whilst I am sure I will be frustrated by online games throughout the next few months, I feel more optimistic about playing the game against the world than ever before.

“Let’s Get It Started”

Which moves me nicely on to the Interfering With Play League 2010. The competition will take place early next year, and due to popular demand, will remain on the Playstation Three console for the time being. I will look to run a World Cup style competition on 360 alongside the league, but due to a lack of interest last time out, I won’t hold my breath regarding applicants. Next week, I will be opening the application process for the IWP 2010 league properly. Due to online being playable and borderline decent this time out, the process may be slightly stricter than before, and connection tests will take place, along with reliability and disconnection stats. If you are interested in taking part in the IWP League 2010, my advice is to get playing online over the next seven days, experience the game and get used to the online format. More information along with the new application process will be announced next week.

“These New Diamond Rings”

Finally this week, most of you guys will be aware of the WENB Option File being available for PS3. This option file gives Premier League team’s authentic looking kits as well as updating a whole host of other things within the game. Last year, the option files I used where no way affected by the official PES updates provided by Konami. I am going to echo my advice from last year regarding option files. The guys that create these files do an incredible job, and play a huge part in making PES as good as it is. However, until Konami have released and sent out their first official update, there is no way of knowing what affect it may have on the option file you install. It is for this reason alone I am advising people to wait until Konami release their first download update, which will bring all transfers up to date with the current window, before you go ahead and install the WENB or any other option file. Whether other parties on this site disagree with this, and decide to provide downloadable links for the file is up to them, but in my experience it is better to wait and not lose any saved data, especially towards your track record, than rush in now and get burnt later on.

Once Konami have released their first ‘patch’, I will provide a number of alternative option files, along with download links, and simple instructions on how to install them. If you wish to ignore this advice, you can go over to WENB and grab the option file today, but you do so totally at your own risk!

That’s your lot for this week. I am actually tearing myself away mid-game from PES 2010 to write this article, and will return to my match any minute. I am also looking to have a fix mode Champions League this weekend, which will be the true test of how good PES 2010 is as a social game. interferingwithplay@hotmail.co.uk is the place to direct your e-mails to, and you can add me on messenger using that address if you have some burning desire to speak to me!

Thanks for Reading

Pro Evolution Soccer Network Site

Posted by Dan Bolas in PES 2009 News on Mon 26 Oct 2009

Now this site is hoepfully back to normal, just thought I would direct you guys in the direction of the PES 2010 network site. This site is designed to provide all the information about gaming online, plus has a very handy connection test feature, which helps to explain which game formats your internet connection and speed should allow you to play successfully. The link is below.

www.konami.jp/we/online

At the moment, due to demand, the above site is running very slow, however I recommend you add it to your favourites for future visits if you are unable to get on now.

PES2010 Review: The Dougiedonut Perspective

Posted by dougiedonut in PES 2009 News on Thu 22 Oct 2009

Introduction

Well we’re on the eve of a historic launch day for PES, with the masses finally getting their hands on probably the most anticipated version of PES in recent history as of tomorrow.  Since PES2009 there have been many questions asked of Konami and their commitment to the gaming public.

People have been questioning the direction of the series, since the last couple of versions have been very arcade like in their implementations.  Online issues have dogged the series on the 360 and PS3 and there has been general discontent all round, resulting in PES no longer being considered the premium option for football aficionados the world over.

So without further ado, I present to the masses my take on PES2010.

I have had the game for over a week now and I have been taking my time playing the game, and this review will focus mainly on the gameplay mechanics, and less so on the various modes present.  As has been pointed out by many people, if the core game is flawed, then all the modes in the world won’t make a difference to the gaming experience.

To begin with, I would like to ask you all to obliterate the PES2010 demo from your minds, because quite frankly it was a shambles, and really didn’t reflect the final game.  It served only to frustrate and scare many people, and I want to try to put people’s minds at ease by saying that the final game is a superb experience.

Gameplay

The pace of passes is much slower than PES2009, giving you a measured game which ensures that you are constantly having to assess how to play your way through on goal.  So far each game for me has been different.  There hasn’t been a default strategy to get the ball into the opponent’s final third, and this is a reflection of how tough it can be to break your opponents down.  Teams vary in their approach to the game, and you have to use trial and error to find ways forward.

The new control system will take some time to get to grips with.  The sort of response issues the demo had are not present.  Response times are very good, but what many people will have to realise is that you have to learn how to play this version of PES all over again.  Many of us are very used to just picking up the gamepad and getting stuck in straight away with previous versions, and feeling right at home.  This time round, I would say we’re being pushed out of our comfort zones and being asked to explore the game’s capabilities as we would if we were playing a new take on the game.  This game is not PES2009 with improved graphics and new improved 360 controls.  I want to make this absolutely clear.  What we’re presented with is a game that will require patience and perseverance to get the most from it.

If you don’t take your time to understand why passes and shots are not taken instantaneously when you intend them, then you will find yourself questioning the game.  But if you try to understand that just as you in real life can’t just take a shot mid-stride when you’re not prepared, then you will see that as the player’s body shape reaches the right position, your commands are obeyed with what can on occasion be devastating effect.

Passing freedom is an area which some people hold against PES, and I agree.  Konami missed a trick there, and really should have what is a fundamental aspect to a game not present.  We have a strength bar for long balls, but not for ground passes – that’s just plain wrong!

I have been spending my time playing the game, and then leaving it for a day, and coming back to it, to allow myself time to mentally grow accustomed with it.  I don’t necessarily propose everyone else does this, but for me it helps me to appreciate the game more and more.

I have also been subjecting the game to friends at work and home who have crossed over to the dark side, and who consider PES broken based on their experiences with PES2009.  Which leads me nicely to talk about playing against friends, as opposed to the CPU.

Playing against friends/foes

As many gamers will agree, any gatherings of lads at anyone’s place generally typically results in PES putting stuck on, and battles would be played out till the early hours.  I can say that those days are firmly back with PES2010.

You are no longer frustrated with players who just run the length and breadth of the pitch beating everyone and releasing unstoppable scorchers time after time.  Yes there are individually brilliant players in the game, but now they’re human.  Meaning that the likes of Messi won’t just slice through your defence time and time again and rack up American football scores.  These special players are very capable of doing that, but in small measures.  Nine out of ten times defenders will thwart their attempts, but that one time they will skin someone and score a belter.

These are odds you can live with.  You don’t have to resign yourself to losing another goal the moment they have possession.  I should add that if you do come up against particularly talented gamers, as I have online already, then they are very capable of scoring four or five goals against you with ease.  This is where your tactical acumen will be put to the test.

You should all be familiar with the new sliders system which allows you to shape your team’s behaviour and it really does make a difference to how you perform.  The only negative I would associate with the sliders is that you will be having to access the game tactics screens having paused the game to tweak them.  They can’t be changed on the fly, or offer a set of preset slider settings that you store to use.  But this is a very minor issue, and more of an improvement suggestion on my part.

I have had many games against friends which result in real midfield battles as we tussle for not only control of the ball, but also to advance and get those all important goals.  I’m personally finding it a little hard to pull off tricks, but that could just be because I’m not used to trying them, and also there is the fact that not all players can pull off tricks.  You have to really learn as much as you can about the teams you play as, and their players’ abilities.  This is another area which I personally am not really very happy about.  I think all players should be free to try to pull any/every trick available in the game.  The success of the trick should be down to their ability levels.  So just like in older games (Sorry but I have to give the superb PES6 a mention here!) if you chose to attempt a pirouette with a defender the ball would go off at an angle, and the defender would be left looking stupid.  This then gives us the ultimate power in deciding on when to attempt a trick and with which player.  If I’m stupid enough to attempt a fancy flick with a defender in the wrong area and I’m punished for it, then tough luck for me.  But the key issue here for me is the choice in being able to do so. It’s just not there, but as I said, not everyone will necessarily be bothered about it.

Passes are satisfactory and long balls definitely feel much better.  I’ve never really used long passes that much in games, but I can definitely see that it is adding to my gaming style, and will be used more often.

Crosses are also very good and are a potent weapon if you so wish to use them.  Defenders are really up against good crosses, and so there is more emphasis on cutting out crosses for me.

The ugly side of the game

I’m not talking about Gary Neville and his lovely tache, but the aspects of the game that I consider issues with the game.

So far, here’s a list of the aspects of the game that bother me:

-          tackles made against opponents off the ball still go unpunished in this game.  You can disrupt a team’s flow by fouling players off the ball (primarily when they have just released the ball) and get away with it.

-          The animation set used is limited. ( I will discuss this more below)

-          Keepers do on occasion concede very soft goals which don’t add up

-          Passing freedom has not been realised

-          Player tussles are unrealistic

To be honest, other than the above five points, I’m struggling with negatives about the game.  They aren’t flawed to the point that you feel you can’t play the game.  No game is perfect, and certainly these are areas that could have been improved, but the game has so much more to offer.

To expand on player tussles, when you attempt to barge players, there’s no real feeling of physical contact between players.  You may see the man on the ball put his arm out to indicate he is holding off an opponent, but he won’t necessarily see himself being pushed in a direction as dictated by the opponents physicality.  You more than likely as a defending player have to break out of the tussle, and try to slide in to get the ball.  Again, this isn’t something that detracts from the gameplay in a big way, but is an area that could have been better.

It is fair to say that there are still fundamental PES2009 animations in the game, which have been added to for this edition.  As has been pointed out in various reviews, running styles can appear robotic and players movements aren’t very pleasing to the eye.  I would say that once you get over this initial hurdle and just play the game, it really doesn’t stick out as a sore point.  It’s a case of just understanding that the players move the way they do, and getting on with it.  They still pass and shoot very realistically, and you can’t have any complaints about them on that basis.

Online play

As many of you are aware there has been an online beta for a short while which has been aimed at trying to testing the online infrastructure.  I have to say that I have had a mixed experience with the system.

Initial playtests were very positive for me, with no real lag during games.

We still see two little circles on the top of the screen to show connection strength against opponents.  I have to say that even when playing opponents who have orange or red lights did not necessarily mean I was subjected to lag most of the time.  However there were occasions when input response lag could be noticed by me.  I never had any teleporting balls or players or any of these extreme types of lag, but it did lead to frustration.  We can expect to finally see the online system kick in as of tonight, and be ready for the masses tomorrow.  I would advise people that there may be some issues with minor lag, but nothing that I don’t think Konami can’t resolve with online patch support to fix issues.

This sort of support is normal for many games, and the key factor is that Konami will address this.  This is purely my own perception, I may be doing Konami a disservice, as the service may be great for everyone, for which I apologise in advance.

Final analysis

As we strive for more in a football game, I think there are questions that Konami need to be asking themselves about where the series is going.  PES2010 plays a cracking game of football, and if you want tough battles on the pitch which you feel totally in control of, then you can’t go wrong.

It is finally I think what we thought PES2008 would be two years ago, had we gone from PES6 to PES2010.  It demonstrates a massive visual improvement which no-one can complain about, and also shows that there is more directions the game can go in.  I hope this comment isn’t taken as a negative against Konami, since I’m very happy with the results, but really it shows that the direction in which PES moves forward is up for negotiation.

The real issue is that the goal posts have been moved.  I think that Konami are finally acknowledging with this game that they are out of their comfort zone, as the definition of console footballing has changed.  They have admirably demonstrated a keen willingness to listen to what the fans want, and have attempted to give us what we want.

Once the standard bearers, Konami’s latest effort for me plays a solid game, and will keep many of us very happy.  At the same time, there is growing unrest amongst gamers who not only want more, but expect more from their football games.

Fundamental areas like player movement are still tied into the previous gaming generation’s limitations, and is now in need of a mindset change, rather than being a technological barrier.  I think this is where Konami are being marked down in the press generally.  I don’t think it is a totally fair criticism, but there is definitely an issue that Konami need to understand and act on.

Conclusion

I’ve just sat down with my copy of PES6 on the 360 and told it that I am having to let it go.  It has now grown surplus to requirements, and is already forming a distant fond memory of footballing bliss.

PES2010 is still growing on me, and I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to get the most out of it.

PES2010 is a storming game and delivers footballing action that is varied, technical and most importantly fun.  Create your own playing style, and take on the world.  I for one look forward to online battles against anyone and everyone.  So see you online!

For those interested in a final rating from me, I’d give PES2010 a 8.5/10 and say that is it a very rewarding game.

Thanks for reading

Dougiedonut

(dougiedonut@pesgaming.com)

IWP – Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 Review

Posted by Dan Bolas in PES 2010 News on Thu 22 Oct 2009

Welcome to the Interfering With Play review of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 by Konami. This review intends to portray a fair and honest review of PES 2010, using the PS3 version of the game. Whilst I am fully aware the PC and 360 games are very similar, it is recommended that you search for a specific system based review of the game if you want a more comprehensive and accurate review of that particular format.  The review is broken down into five distinctive categories: Presentation & Features, Graphics, Gameplay & Controls, Sound and Online. I would also like to point at this point that the review does not take into account any paid downloadable content, and is a review of the product ‘out of the box’. After reading the review, feel free to the usual e-mail address, which is posted at the bottom of this article.

Introduction – Pro Evolution Soccer 2010

For some people, the following statement is all they need to hear to solidify their purchase of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. PES 2010 is a better game than Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 on pretty much every level. If your criteria for picking up PES 2010 was simply that it was an improvement on last years offering, then I can say openly and honestly that the game will justify its purchase. Of course, this statement does not tell the whole story, and whilst many fans will be delighted to see PES 2010 stepping in the right direction, the real question should more honestly be have Konami done enough to turn this game into a fully fledged next generation game. The answer to this question is less clear, but hopefully this review will go someone to answering this question as well as giving you an insight into the latest offering from Team Seabass. If you read Interfering With Play on a regular basis, you know that I state my views will be my own, honest and frank. I know that these views may not be shared by everyone but, at the same time, as with all other reviews, my wish is they are respected as my opinion.

Presentation & Features

In case you weren’t sure, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is supported by Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres. You will see their faces on the box, and then pretty much everywhere else throughout the game. The starting video sees the two players tackling each other in a number of positions, followed by a Champions League style promotional video, very classy and very much the kind of footage expected at the start of a football game. After 2008, Konami have learnt their lessons and used real footballing images in their opening sequences, something which pays dividends. The menu screen has also been revamped, with a more circular motion being employed. It is once again easy to navigate, but similar to last year, isn’t anything particularly awe inspiring. Of course, it’s a screen you are likely to spend less than a 100th of your gaming time on, but in the day and age of interactive menus, (not just for sports games) it is something that could be made to feel more ‘football’ like. With that said, it does its job, and all areas are easily negotiable and accessible.

One slight change is the match selection screen. In the past you were ‘forced’ to go through a number of menus including game options, strip selection and line ups. However, all of this has been condensed into one screen, making its navigation much easier. If you have your default settings, for example match ball, condition arrows and game time already set, you will have no need to access this screen. At the same time, if your not happy with your opponents kit, you can chose to change it, but there is no prompt for you to do so. This saves a fair few seconds each pre-game, something which will no doubt add up with the average PES gamer playing over 400 matches on PES 2009. For beginners, it also offers the option to go straight into the game, without being forced to traipse through screen after screen that you have no interest in accessing.

Elsewhere, last years features return, with Become a Legend and the UEFA Champions League mode remaining almost identical from last years title. This is no bad thing however, as both modes were welcome additions to the game last year and proved to be very popular with some players, at the same time it is a tiny bit annoying certain flaws haven’t been ironed out. For example, you can still not play as a defensive player in Become a Legend mode, something which I know angered a lot of gamers last time out. These small niggles aside, both game modes provide hours of gaming entertainment away from the usual exhibition and Master League modes. Speaking of the Master League, the neglected mode from previous PES games has been given a much welcomed update. From a personal point of view, I would hate to give away too many spoilers, but the use of real currency is enough to please many gamers who have petitioned for such a feature since the mode was first introduced. On top of this, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League both feature as licensed competitions within the Master League this time out, and the addition of staff upgrades and youth teams will keep many gamers pleased. Another little bonus is the ability to put custom teams into your Master League groupings, meaning you could potentially have a second tier of English teams, should you wish to spend your time editing. For many gamers, the Master League mode is the bread and butter of PES, and this year won’t be disappointing to many people.

The other noticeable new edition is community mode, a feature that will be much welcomed. This mode allows you to track mates between groups of players on the same console, meaning that you can keep tabs on who beats who within your own group of mates. Furthermore, this mode allows you arrange leagues and cups within it, and save them to be continued at a later date. With PES having a reputation for being one of the most social games on the market, this mode is a very clever addition, and something which may just take off in other sporting games. Finally, the edit mode is more of what you would have expected, carrying on from last years version. There are some strange exclusions, for example the option to chose a second GK strip and also the font very similar to that of the Premier League numbers, but the widest selection of football boots and a handful of new goal celebrations (including Anelka’s butterfly) go some way to making these less noticeable. 

Graphics

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is the best looking game in the franchise, with player models and likenesses to rival any sporting franchise currently on the market. Building upon last years step forward, this game actually looks and feels HD, something which has been missing from previous offerings on the PS3. Put a replay in slow motion or freeze the screen, and you could easily mistake the footage for one of the Sky Sports adverts, it really does look that crisp. The lighting effects from the previous version return, but these are now coupled with lens flaring and intense shadowing that give the game a similar graphical value to that of a third person shooter or adventure title.

With the graphics looking so good, it is therefore more noticeable that some player animations look outdated, and as a result, make the game feel less realistic. There are still times when a movement that was in PES 2008 will be used, and this animation looks very out of place on the current character model, for example a player falling to ground after a tackle. Meanwhile, other new animations fit the character models very well, with a couple of new shooting techniques feeling very smooth, and clever things such as defenders pointing to team mates where to mark adding the extra piece of on pitch realism. Whilst the negatives don’t particularly deteriorate from the gaming experience, there is as strong an argument as ever for a new game engine to match up with the huge visual improvements taken in the franchise.  

The usual graphical touches from previous instalments that do work though, work very well. Along with the ever changing player facial expressions, kit options such as shirt and sock styles make for the look of player individuality which the series has become so renowned for. The boot selection, the largest featured in a Pro Evolution Soccer title to date, looks similar to the back of a JJB store, with all the big brands represented in a number of different styles. This coupled with a fair number of generic styles makes for a very respectable turn out, and means you could, should you wish, have every player on the field of play wearing a different style of boot! The return of choosing untucked or tucked in shirts is also one that will please many gamers. Whilst these touches may vary little year upon year, there inclusion should still be noted as a definitive plus point in the franchise.

Stadiums and pitches still look very good, and this can be found by simply pausing the game and watching a replay. The free camera allows you to zoom in and out to your hearts content, admiring the touchlines and the player models until you’re satisfied. However, in my experience the stadiums don’t ‘play’ any differently, meaning there is no variable pitch styles. This is something that a lot of gamers are looking for and at the moment, the stadiums are simply a graphical issue, and the choice of ground in no way affects the style of football you may have to play. Weather conditions on the other hand are both graphically beautiful and affect the game. On a summer’s evening, the light is hazy and sees half the pitch case in shadow, whereas a rainy afternoon sees it overcast and has the ball skid along the surface. The lack of snow will frustrate some, however the variable seasons and conditions are represented very well.

Gameplay & Controls

The controls on Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 are the same as the other previous instalments. The option of the D-Pad or Analogue stick is still there, and the shoulder buttons combined with a face button allow for a different style of pass, cross or shot. One issue that has been raised by many people is the so called delay between pressing the controller and the player on screen reacting. Having played for quite a number of hours now, I don’t really understand their concerns; however it is very noticeable that some players do turn quicker than others. For example, Messi will be able to change direction quickly, even in a crowded area whereas Wolves’ Jody Craddock would struggle to turn at the same speed even unopposed and with time. This could be down to response times, or a deliberate and conscious decision from Konami to make players feel different. Playing with a lesser team such as Wolves, you really have to make possession and positioning count, and be really conscious of your decisions when to take people on and when to simply retain possession and pass backwards. Playing with Barcelona or Real Madrid on the other hand, the players have the ability to do things much quicker, be it creating space or dribbling, which in turn makes for a more realistic style of play.

The much discussed 360 degree movement is present, although it seems to be slightly temperamental. Personally, I am happy with the way players move both with and without the ball when under your control, and there is definitely added angles of movement, but whether or not it is completely 360 degrees is something that is up for debate. Changing direction as a result of this added movement though is easy enough, but most importantly, realistic again. Cutting in a slightly different angle will immediately change the opportunity for a cross to a shot or vice versa, and then it is up to the player which decision they make. The shooting mechanic is very similar to previous versions, but still takes a few games to get used to. For those who play or watch a lot of football, being aware of your time, space and angle in relation to the goal will help in many cases, and the power meter now also acts more realistically in relation to where you are located on the pitch. One the subject of shooting, the shot fake is also now much more realistic. Defenders don’t automatically fall over every time you do the trick and at the same time, you have more control over the angle of exit from the trick, whether you wish to keep on running straight or run off at a wider angle.

Passing, as with most PES games, feels crisp and natural. There is no power bar on the passes, but by holding the button down longer, the ball will travel to a player further away. This is helped by very respectable AI and the inclusion of the new ‘sliders’ feature. The sliders while at first seemingly a novelty, do actually dictate the way your AI controlled players move on the pitch. Emphasise pressing, and you will find the AI players push out, whereas ask you players to sit back and they will do so. Providing you stick with this game plan you end up with a genuinely satisfying tactical experience, be it playing on the counter attack or working as a possession team. There are times when your AI players still make questionable runs into dead ends, or get caught bombing out of position, but these are much less frequent, and usually caused by your own tactics as opposed to random acts of madness. The AI also seemingly gets less involved in the games with the famous Auto Pass from PES 2009 not something I have experienced yet.

The use of the new player ‘cards’ are to all intents and purposes replacements of the special abilities from previous years, but to add an extra dimension when playing against AI opponents. Teams and players react much more realistically, with Spain being exceptionally hard to get the ball off on the top difficulty levels, and Portsmouth getting a lot of bodies in and around both penalty boxes. The goalkeeping AI is something else that is always very talked about, but I have found them on a whole to be very realistic and fair. I have had a couple of big wins on the game, but I felt like I earned each goal as opposed to the keeper making a mistake, and the few pieces of dodgy handling have occurred from close range shots that, in real life, would have been near impossible to hold anyway. Of course, the more you play the game , the more prominent mistakes may appear, but going on this review, I have been pleased with the PES2010 keepers.

Probably the biggest improvement for me in PES 2010, is defending, which now actually feels more part of the game than ever. Playing as some teams, you are obviously going to place the emphasis on attacking, but not all teams do this, and I am pleased to say that if you want to shut up shop for a one nil, it seems PES 2010 actually allows you do to so. This is mainly down to the sliders once again, but you can actually feel quite in control of your defensive third, even if the opposition are having a great deal of possession. There is also the option to control your GK as a player, coming out for crosses if you so wish. Whilst it is not something I would like to do too often, it would allow those blaming the AI to have a go at doing better themselves!

Elsewhere, the game plays as you would expect a PES game to play. I have already mentioned the dated animations that need a new game engine to really be re-spiced, but if you’re a fan of PES 2009, you are going to be more than happy with PES 2010 on the pitch. Games feel spontaneous too, meaning there is the option for you to take the game by the scruff on the neck, or simply sit back and let the opponents have possession. It has always been well documented that PES has always done its talking on the pitch, and for all the new features and options the game may have added or not added, when the game kicks off, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is still a fantastic footballing experience.

Sound

One area where PES 2010 has really outdone itself is the sound section. The music play list, for the first time, features a selection of popular and famous bands, with a variety of modern tracks and old classics. The option is still there to upload your own tunes, and there is still a selection of default ‘Konami’ tracks, but the 20+ songs from bands such as Black Kids, The Stereophonics and The Klaxons are all more the good enough to keep music fans happy. In the past, this is an area much neglected by Konami, and it is therefore very pleasing to see action being taken to bring the title forward, and into line with other sports franchises on the market. As mentioned there is still the option to put your own MP3’s in, and providing you followed correct procedure on PES 2009, you existing play list should still be accessible and usable in the game from the off.

The return of Champion and Lawrenceson is also something that has improved, albeit not to the extent of the music! The script, whilst still cheesy, now feels a little bit more believable, and mixes a combination of the previous version’s dialogue with quite a few new lines. One thing that has been quite noticeable is the lack of player names being called during the game. Whether this is something that I simply didn’t notice in previous years, but it seems that the commentators may only mention every one in three players that touch the ball, even if they have the audio for the name on the game. With this said, and following previous years of dross commentary from other parties, Jon and Mark do actually enhance the gaming experience as opposed to take away from it in this years version.

The inclusion of custom chants in last years PES has been revamped for this year too, and is another excellent improvement. Now, each club has five slots for different songs or chants, along with ones for fouls, goals and set pieces. This means you can actually have a variation in the different sounds between too clubs, which again could make for interesting how and away matches. Going to Stoke and hearing Delilah, or when Rory Delap is winding up his long throw would be different to hearing West Ham fans singing forever blowing bubbles. The generic chants aren’t up to much at all, but with the option to spend time making the game sound more authentic, I know there will be many editors out there licking their lips at this new feature.

Online

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a place in the online beta, and with me reviewing this game prior to its release, it has so far been impossible for me to test the online portion of PES 2010. Therefore, I will hold back before even going any further on commenting, but I will say it is a step forward by Konami joining to the Playstation Network and scrapping the Konami ID system. It remains to be seen whether this pays off, but it is a move I know will please many fans. The option to download future updates also returns. At the time of writing transfers were dated from mid August, so there are still a couple of players that need to be moved around. Richard Dunne was still at Manchester City, Distin was still with Portsmouth and Stoke were without Huth and Tuncay. However, if last year is anything to go by, this will be sorted very soon, and the support of future downloadable content is likely this season as it was last time out.

Conclusion

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is an excellent footballing title that is in every way a step forward from its predecessors. There are still areas that need improving, and critics will call certain aspects of its animations dated, something which in turn reflects on the field of play, but this does not detract from the game being an exceptionally enjoyable and challenging gaming experience. Without reviewing online, it is difficult to say what kind of affect PES 2010 will have on the football gaming market, but fans of the franchise will be delighted with the latest offering, and its addictive Gameplay, top graphics and ‘one more game’ feeling may just be enough to turn the eye of non-fans too. It is nice to see that Konami have listened to their fans within some of the changes that have been included, and PES 2010 is the step forward that may just lead to the leaps and bounds the series should be making over the next few years.

Feel free to send your views on this review to interferingwithplay@hotmail.co.uk

Face and stats Galleries (Liverpool/Chelsea/Arsenal/England + more)

Posted by Peter Willis in PES 2009 News on Mon 19 Oct 2009

Over at Pcaction.de (a german website) you can find some galleries which show off stats for Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Germany, England, Everton, Rangers, Dynamo Kiev and Celtic. More interesting are the player likenesses which in my opinion are incredible. (Copy and paste the link below into your internet browser)

http://www.pcaction.de/PES-2010-Statistiken-von-Arsenal-Chelsea-und-Liverpool-Deutschland-England-Everton-Rangers-Kiew-und-Celtic-Update-2/News/article/view/2908/

Please remember Dan’s newest edition of Interfering with Play is a couple of posts beneath this, as it came out early this week – you lucky boys and girls!

In The Red 19.10.09

Posted by Peter Willis in PES 2009 News on Mon 19 Oct 2009

Following on…

Firstly I’d like to thank those who enojoyed and agreed with my article on Thursday. It seems as if the majority of readers agreed with me, and this is something that I can’t take lightly. When I started blogging for Pesgaming, there were no Pes fans who had been even tempted to go over to ‘the dark side’, but as it stands it seems as if Pes is no longer the only real choice as far as a football simulation goes. I have had emails from those who describe themselves as having used to been the most die-hard of Pes fans who no longer have any faith in the series. Whilst I am currently at a standstill to which football game I’ll be playing this year, I still have the faith – and Konami must be congratulated for having build what is arguably one of the most loyal gaming fanbases of all time.

Today I’m going to expand on and justify some of the points I made on Thursday, as well as answer some of the questions put forward in the comments section. I was slightly rushed to get the review out for the 15th and so didn’t have enough time to do anything other than give bulletpoints and come to a conclusion (not so dissimilar to modern-day school exams really…)!

Here’s some answers to a few of the questions that were put forward:

Weather effects? Which ones and how do they look?

You can (in a custom exhibition match) choose between day, afternoon or night, Summer or Winter, or ‘fine’ or ‘rainy’.

When rainy, the ball will bounce slightly higher, but slow down. In fine weather, it’s pretty regular! I can’t say whether snow will be in the game,
but there certainly wasn’t the option for it.

Can you have users play as other teams in tournaments (ie. opening the pause menu and selecting the computer controlled team?)

No. Unfortunately, when I tried it in both the Uefa Champions League, and Master League modes, the option for another user player/controller
to take control of the opposition was not available.

Is Old Trafford included?

Yes.

Is top player the highest difficulty in Pes 2010?

Yes. Unfortunately Konami seem to have included ‘Superstar’ difficulty only in Winning Eleven this year.

Regarding some of the points I made in Thursday’s column;

‘The gameplay seems clunky’ – with the new addition of 360 degree movement – although this does influence the gameplay somewhat – it doesn’t seem to have made all that much difference to dribbling or passing (with the exceptions of crossing and lofted through-balls). Whilst I’m sure that next years football games will implement the 360 movement as much as they can, in Pes 2010 it feels as if there could be more to it. As I’ve said previously, the lofted through-balls are great, and you can cross the ball fantastically well once you get used to the controls – and this may seem like stating the obvious – but as yet it feels as if the 360 technology has yet to reach it’s peak. Player movements are still similar to Pes 2009 – although you can no longer turn in a ridiculous amount of directions (you know, those 90 degree turns which happened in split seconds…) and generally the game feels slightly mechanical in a way.

‘Animations are outdated’/'gameplay hasn’t taken much of a revamp at all’ – with this, I mean that it seems as if there are hardly any new animations added into the gameplay. Sure, there’s a few additions after the referee has blown for a foul, or when the ball goes off the pitch, but during a game it feels like a bit of a re-hash of Pes 2009.

Maybe it has got to the point that whilst Pro Evolution Soccer is a fine series, the cultural differences between Europe and Japan are larger than most people know. As was well pointed out by one comment, Pes has – and always will have – a very arcade feel about it; this is something that whilst people loved on the generation of consoles which included the PS2 and the Xbox, maybe with the computing power of the ‘next-gen’ consoles us gamers are looking for more than an arcade footballing experience. This brings me to wonder, what do we want? Most of us aren’t big Fifa fans, and if Konami are no longer delivering like they did  back with Pes 6, then this leaves us with nowhere to turn to. Due to the monolopy the two ‘big’ franchises (EA & Konami) have on the football gaming market, it doesn’t seem feasible for a new developer to try and break into the market with a new football series.

Let me say one final thing; These are just my opinions and my impression of the game. I know that some of you are going to love Pes 2010, and I’m glad about that! I still love the Pes series, but it seems to me that Pes 2010 isn’t all that I was hoping for. Maybe I got my expectations too high, maybe I was expecting too much from Konami in just one year, but I’d like to point out that I am looking forward to playing Pes 2010 online, lag free.

I’d like to remind you that this is just one regular guy’s opinion. As Dan says in today’s IWP, read through all the reviews (posted under Dan’s IWP in ‘Just a Quickie…’) and make your own mind up.

As always, comments on your preferences to what I talk about, whether you liked it, or just general comments on the article are all welcome – be it in the comments section below, or at francis_newall@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks,

-Francis

Interfering With Play – Sunday 18th October 2009

Posted by Dan Bolas in PES 2009 News on Sun 18 Oct 2009

Welcome to this week’s Interfering With Play. I am writing this week’s column on Sunday evening for one reason only; I now have Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. I received the promotional copy from Konami and have had a fair amount of time with the game. Because of this, intend to write my review of the game in full and post it on Wednesday evening, as to allow for people to read the review of the game prior to its official release. Whilst I am sure many of you have long since made your mind up on whether or not you are going to be purchasing this years offering, I hope my review will provide a nudge in a direction (either way) as to whether or not you spend your hard earned cash. For over 200 hours of gaming, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 was well worth the £40 outlay where I sit, and in my immediate opinion, PES 2010 is definitely worth the same cash. However, I would hate to miss anything; I am therefore going to keep my personal opinions of the game to one side until the review itself, allowing me to talk about a couple of different topics in this week’s column. With that said, lets crack on with the 110th instalment of Interfering With Play.

“If Walls Had Ears”

I would like to start this week by going full circle from last year. Around this time last October, EA Sports got in contact with me personally and offered me a complementary copy of FIFA 09. Being a fan of football games I accepted, and contacted Konami informing them of EA Sports’ generous offer. Konami passed me from person to person, not really ‘being able’ to help me and I ended up without Pro Evolution Soccer prior to release. This is fine by me, I am not bothered about spending the money, but I felt the principle of a rival company offering me a game whereas the game this site ‘supports’ not being provided seems a little odd. At this time, it should be said, PESGaming.com had little to do with Konami and Double D was only just starting out.

So we roll on 12 months and what a change. Yes, we have had increasing contact with Konami throughout the year, but when speaking to the company on Friday, I informed them of my desire to write a review for the site prior to release, and within 15 hours I had a promotional copy of the game in my Playstation Three. For the sceptics out there who think I am kissing ass for Konami’s sake, I ask you to go back to my column 12 months ago and read exactly what I put then, criticising their handling of PR. Nowadays, I am pleased to see they are taking that whole situation much more seriously, and my hat goes off to the marketing department at Konami. It is this kind of service that keeps fans happy, and more importantly, makes sites like PESGaming.com feel our opinions and views actually matter.

With this said, if I genuinely don’t like something in Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, or something that Konami do in the next few months, you can be sure it will be aired in Interfering With Play. My views, comments and opinions are not for sale, and I want to assure those people who look to IWP for honesty, that’s exactly what you will get.

“When The Music Stops”

One issue I will quickly touch on regarding Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is the soundtrack, because Konami have pretty much ended the IWP Play list for this year’s instalment. Granted, there are still a handful of ‘Konami’ tracks on the game, which makes little sense, but then again, if you wish to include your own music on the game, these can be simply deleted from the play list. What is noticeable is the inclusion of genuinely well known and popular artists. Scrolling down the track list, you have commercial bands such as Kaiser Chiefs and The All American Rejects as well as dance acts such as The Chemical Brothers. Furthermore, less well known artists such as Black Kids, Guillemots and The Courteeners also feature. There is even a place for late 90’s rocker Andrew WK, who’s anthem Party Hard makes it, and PES 2009 classic, Born to Win!

The IWP play list was designed to eliminate the dross of music that Konami used to force upon the gamer; however, this new play list for PES 2010 kind of does that job for me! With 20-30 tunes of this nature already on the game, there is no need for me to advise you guys on what other songs you might like to listen to. For PS3 and PC games, the ability to upload music is still there, and therefore extra songs can be put on for your listening pleasure, whilst 360 players will be happy to have The Stereophonics or Paul Weller blasting out over their replays. I will mention more regarding this next week, along with give some props to the bands who wanted their tunes to be used in the list, but as things stand, there is no need for an IWP play list for PES 2010.

“Two Time, Two Time”

I would like to take this opportunity to echo the views of Don Sweeney regarding the Option File makers for Pro Evolution Soccer 2009. Again, I know these may only affect the PS3 or PC versions of the game, but playing PES 2010 without the proper kits and names, it makes the game feel just a tiny bit less real. I know that as soon as the game is out, the boards will be full with people asking about availability of the next option file, but I urge you guys to be patient with these people. I personally would not have the patience or skill to spend the hours of work doing what these guys do, many of whom work around their own jobs and families.

As Don stated, we thank you kindly for your work on PES 2009 and look forward to your offerings for Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. If you are an option file maker and wish to ask any questions about edit mode, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me, and I will do my best to answer any concerns or queries you may have!

“Has The Whole World Lost It’s Head?”

I have spoke in IWP in recent weeks and months about game reviews at some length, so I don’t want to dwell on the issue too much on this post, but I think it is important I reiterate a coupe of points. Firstly, game reviewers are under immense pressure to reach deadlines and usually play games for a small duration of what would be considered a realistic gaming period. For example, I thoroughly enjoyed Assassins Creed, but reviewers criticised it for being repetitive. If you’re playing the same game in a short space of time for long periods, it will get repetitive. Because I went away and played PES or another game, playing Assassins Creed was an enjoyable experience. At the same time, a game like Bioshock that got near perfect reviews from all angles was later criticised for a dodgy ending, something which many reviewers failed to reach before their deadline. This is not a criticism of an individual reviewer, just a point that should be remembered when reviewing a game.    

At the same time, certain websites have to show favouritism towards certain games. There was a famous issue surrounding Kane & Lynch and Gamespot. The story goes that Kane & Lynch’s developers had spent a lot of money at Gamespot promoting their game, including many paid adverts and a huge splash screen on the home page. The reviewer of the game slated the title, giving it a very average rating and for those people who have played the game, this review could most definitely be agreed with! Within a number of hours, the review had been changed and the reviewer reportedly was fired from writing for the site. Whether some of these facts have been changed to suit a rumour, no one can be sure, but this kind of reviewing does go on. Even with PES and IGN. PES 2008 was a game that was flawed, and was by far and away the worse of the next generation offerings so far. Most websites and magazines agreed with this and game it average ratings. However, IGN issued the game a very favourable 9.2 rating, something which may have been linked to their website featuring in the games Match Ratings screen! Whilst I enjoyed PES 2008, it was the weakest of the games on the PS3, and with PES 2009 picking up an 8.5, it’s pretty obvious that there was something not quite right there.

The fact there are two video games out there of a similar style releasing a similar time means the comparisons of the games are unavoidable, yet many reviewers will also openly admit that the football gaming community is strictly a matter of taste, and you are either a PES gamer of a FIFA gamer. If the review is being written by either of these, chances are you are going to get a slightly biased view, irrelevant of how hard the reviewer tries to be impartial. Francis has come out with his own personal opinion and for that his views should be respected, if not agreed with. Double D will no doubt voice his own findings on the game in the form of a review over the next few days too. As I said I earlier, I plan to get my review done and dusted before the games release, but once again, all our reviews are simply our own personal opinion.

My advice to anyone out there who is seeking opinions on a game is to read as many reviews as possible, and at the same time go into playing the game with an open mind, especially if you purchase the game. After all, just like food or music, gaming is a taste business, and if you like what you’re playing, someone telling you it’s not good should not make you change that!

“He’s A Superstar”

Finally this week, the results for the IWP Player Of The Season. As always, this is awards for the player who receives the most votes by you, the PESGaming.com community. This year’s competition was one of the closest ever, but the results that game out were as follows.

1st Place: Lionel Messi

2nd Place: Wayne Rooney

3rd Place: Sergio Aguero

Not a huge surprise then that for two years running, the little Argentine Messi finds himself on top spot. Wayne Rooney, who finished second in the PES 6 competition has once again found himself slightly behind, whilst Aguero managed to hold off players such as Giovinco, Benzema, Pato and last years runner up, Cristiano Ronaldo to come in third. Once again, many thanks for voting and once again, the IWP Player Of The Season is Lionel Messi.

That’s your lot for this week’s IWP. I fully intend to have my review up for PES 2010 no later than Wednesday 21st October. If you have any burning questions regarding the game, feel free to e-mail them to me. I will do my best to get back to you. This also means I can ask answer any frequently asked questions in my review. I will not be responding to comments though, due to people trying to impersonate me! interferingwithplay@hotmail.co.uk is the place to direct your e-mail, and IWP will return to its usual Tuesday slot next week.

Thanks for Reading

Just a quickie…

Posted by Peter Willis in PES 2009 News on Sun 18 Oct 2009

A big thanks for Firsty First of the Firsters for linking us to this webpage – it has eleven reviews of Pes 2010 (on the PS3) going down in order of rating!

Making the link ‘clickable’ so to speak isn’t working, so just copy & paste it into your web browser!

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/proevolutionsoccer2010

Reviews here, there, everywhere!

Posted by Peter Willis in PES 2009 News on Sat 17 Oct 2009

Hey guys; Firstly I’ll be putting up my more extended review tomorrow as I simply have too much on today – my apologies for that. To keep you going here’s a little review posted in the comments section, so all credit to ‘jimmyboots’ for it.

http://www.totalvideogames.com/PES-2010/review-14663.html

On the other hand, here’s a more favourible review:

http://en.onsoftware.com/pro-evolution-soccer-2010-review-a-return-to-form/

A Big Thank You To Option File Makers

Posted by Don Sweey in PES 2009 News on Thu 15 Oct 2009

Just a quick thank you to all of the Option File makers who spent countless hours working hard to take our enjoyment of PES 2009 to new levels and contributed immensely to the PESGaming.com community.

We look forward to more superb work from all of you soon and thoroughly appreciate your efforts!