It's become a bit of a summer trend for me. Log on to Lik-Sang, order the latest copy of Winning Eleven and a Japanese console to play it on (which I inevitably end up selling when the UK version of Pro Evo surfaces) rinse, repeat yearly etc.
This year however, I discovered Swap Magic, so saved myself a few bob on a console, but either way the fact remains that I can honestly say I am seriously hooked on "the evo".
There was a time where I would say I was a pure gamer. I'd buy any decent game, despite it's genre, play it through to completion, turn over every virtual rock and pebble and rinse the high score boards for all it was worth. But over the last 4 or 5 years, gaming, for me, has become a bit bland. Don't get me wrong, it's still good... just.. bland. Like a bland pizza... you'd still eat it, but it's not as good as a meat feast. There have been awesome titles though, that I have purchased and enjoyed, Half Life 2, Katamari and Katamari 2, Pop n Music 11 to name but a few but on the whole I've gone off the video gaming world slightly... Anyhoo, despite all that, there is one series of games that I purchase every year without fail. One series of games that I play almost every day until the next installment arrives, and that, my forum friends, is the Winning Eleven/Pro Evo series.
Out of all of the games I own/have owned, Evo is always the first to come out when mates come round.. the first I pick up to kill a few hours, the first I put on after a few beers... it's also the only one I tend to talk about, enthusiastically with fellow Evo'ers, discussing tactics, well crafted goals, near misses, patches, option files.... the list goes on.
It seems evo'ers are a special breed of gamers. A buddy of mine has been over almost every evening this week, despite the fact he lives about 45 minutes away, he has come round after work every evening, so that we can share in the magic of the new Pro Evo installment. We've gawped, laughed, commentated, screamed and shouted our way through about 40, 15 minute matches against each other, learning the new foibles, nuances and subtleties of KCET's latest invention. Today, another three of my buddies popped over, eyes widened and ears open, ready to digest the delights of the sacred evo 5.
You see, there's something very special indeed about "the evo". "The Evo" brings people together, it puts football brains to the test, it seperates the long ball hoofers from the slick, on-the-ground passers, whether the FIFA lot agree or not, this really is as close to the real thing that you can get without having to don a pair of trainers and head down to the local park.
So, for the last two weeks or so, I've had time to appreciate what's new and special about the latest evo.. so I thought I'd put together a comprehensive ode to this new installment, to let you all know what we can expect come October...
Firstly, it's been Fifafied.... but dont worry chaps, not in a bad way. It's just Konami took a leaf from Fifa's book and decided to finally present their footballing masterpiece in a slick fashion. The menus are finally well designed and decorated, and this now feels like a proper front end. The usual choices are available, Master League, League, Cup, Exhibition Match, and a few new faces have emerged. The PSP link up option and Memorial Match Mode and Nippon Challenge to name but a few.
Memorial Match mode is a good idea. You need a coupla memory cards, one for each player, and it records all the stats from the games you have played with your mate. No more arguments like "I play a more passing game than you," "I kicked your arse possession wise, I just couldn't finish," "You spend most of the match hacking down all my players!" etc... all the stats are accumulated and you can finally see who is the greatest Evo'er.
Master League remains similar to the last installment, although again, things have been tweaked and tinkered with to give more control over your team, the youth setup, player improvement and transfers.
Nippon Challenge sees you taking control of the Japan squad in their bid to secure a World Cup spot, with all the fixtures etc on their qualifying route. I'm guessing for the European release of Pro Evo 5, you'll be able to choose from the European teams, although that remains to be seen.
I haven't had a chance to test out the online mode as of yet, as I dont have a japanese PS2, but I've ordered one for this reason, so will keep you posted once I've tried it out.
The editing mode has seen a drastic improvement, and its now really easy to design emblems, sponsors and kit labels for all the teams. You can, however, just download a patch from one of the many Evo fansites which will give you updated kits, team rosters, english menus and player names and a whole host of new music, graphics etc...
Chelsea and Arsenal are now fully licensed though, so it's, at least, a baby step in the right direction.
Onto the gameplay then... so it's easier for you dedicated Evo'ers to see whats been added, I'll list every thing as seperate points so that it's simpler to see. This is everything I have spotted so far:
More celebrations
Players trademark celebrations have been increased, including Lampard's where he kisses the badge on his shirt, runs with his arms out and runs to the corner flag to greet the fans.. Drogba's celebration where he cuts the air with his hand and does a little jig (I dont know how else to describe that!)
LOADS more animations
Players fling themselves to block balls, grapple shirts with each other, block off challenges, bump into each other, control the ball in mid air and tussle to win possession. Volley and header animations have been increased and the game now looks unbelievably realistic.
The speed of the game is slightly slower, but this actually works really well, allowing you to put great passing moves together and look for huge crossfield diagnol balls to wingers/strikers. The shots and passes from your players can be really fierce now, and it makes a huge difference when you rocket a shot in from 40 yards.
Fouls toggled
You can't now go steaming up behind a player rapidly hitting x to try and tackle him as this will always result in a foul.. you now have to wait til you have a clear sight of the ball before making a challenge. In addition, the R1 hold off move is now used frequently and is very effective when holding up the ball.
Transfers are easy
You can switch players around from team to team with no problem at all, thus accounting for all the new transfers
New shoot button
As well as hitting square to shoot, you can now hold R2 and square for "accurate shot" which makes your player side foot the ball and try and curl it into the corners as opposed to just wanging it. Looks great when you hit one perfectly from outside the box and it curls into the top corner
Keepers throw range increased
Keepers can throw the ball beyond the halfway line (depending on their stats) to launch quick counter attacks
Through balls tweaked
The through-ball has become much more intelligent, and you never have those daft through balls that go straight to an opponent anymore, they are always into space behind your player. However, through-balls whilst in the final thirs always seem to be overhit, so it's best to use the lob button and adjust the power manually to make sure the right distance is placed on the pass.
Player speeds are fixed
If you have a striker quicker than the opposing defender, he will NOT be caught if he gets a half yard head start
New tricks/skills
New drag backs, step overs, flik-flak (elastico - that Ronaldinho move), have been included, as well as ball juggling and quick-turns
Throw-ins improved
You can't just run where the ball will be thrown to nick it from your opponent anymore, it won't let you. Players can also dummy throw-ins to make it look like they are about to throw it one way, then quickly throw it another
Player faces/stats improved
Robben, Drogba, Gudjohnsen for example all look identical to their real life counter part, and stats have been updated to reflect last season, so Robben now has great speed/dribbling etc
Drop ball
If a player is fouled off the ball and your opponent kicks the ball out for an injury or the game is stopped, the ref now restarts with a drop ball situation which is very cool. Furthermore, if you kicked the ball out for a computer opponent, they always kick the ball back to your keeper as a sporting gesture!
Off the ball injuries
Players, who aren't involved with play, can pull up with hamstring injuries or cramp and may need to go off for treatment etc... adding to the realism
Referees
Ref's now can have the ball bounced off them and also have all the proper hand signals for free kicks, advantage etc
Weather conditions
If it''s cold, you can see player's breath- there is also a snow option
Shooting
It's now possible, with the right player, to drill in powerful long range efforts on target. Players now have a middle-shoot stat which shows how good they are at long distance efforts.
Animations
Players collide into each other, argue with each other over misplaced passes, punch the air when they win a penalty, limp off the field if they are substituted because of an injury, storm off the pitch if they are red carded - pushing opposing players on their way, shove and grab players after bad challenges, moan and whinge to the referee over yellow cards etc
Crowd
The crowd now really get behind the team if you are applying pressure on your opponent. They cheers and ooo and ahhh at near misses, good crosses and excellent sliding tackles. (You know when a player tracks back, skips past a couple of challenges and plays a good ball back to the defender to tidy up a bad situation, and the crowd all applaud? WWell they do that on the game now too!) Crowd cheers and celebrations for goals are also much more vocal, and you can really feel their appreciation of a great goal.
After a few hours, I have to say I wasn't convinced. It did feel as though, for the first time in a long while, Konami may have Claudio Ranieri'd it a bit too much, and tinkered a little to freely. However, after a good few days play, I realised it was simply because I was intent on trying to play in a pro evo 4 way, and wasn't learning the new installment as I should. Chelsea's formation had changed for example, so I could no longer hoof the ball long to Drogba, and let him steam through and set up a pass or shoot himself. Duff and Robben are Chelsea's best method of attacking now, and lofted through balls to each of them usually result in them getting the better of their defender and creating space for a cross, shot or pass inside to start another attacking move. You have to be more thoughtful about your build up play, and pick passes carefully. You need to be more trusting of your R1 button, and hold off challenges if need be, in order to flick passes round to other players etc. In short, Evo 5 definitely feels more like a remake than an update after a few hours play.
I can't tell you all quite how excited I am about this going online. From reports I have read from japan, there is next to no lag and improved online modes, with leagues, 2 on 2 matches and mini cup tournaments (which you can be sure I'll arrange for you all on here!). Again, I'll let you all know later next week once I get to play online.
All in all Konami have once again raised the bar and created another stunning piece of footballing wizadry. It really is that good. I don't usually spend an hour writing up reports on games, especially on a Saturday night (although I do have a minging cold, hence not being out on the lash) but this game made me feel like it merited one. If you liked Evo 4, or really want to get into video gaming football, then pick this up when it's released in October... and I shall see you all then for some online action!
Here's a few vids to whet the appetite!
http://www.makemeasong.co.uk/songs/goalsgoaslgoals.wmv-A host of Henry belters (which my mate Justin scored past me) and Drogba falling into the net and getting all tangled up!
http://www.makemeasong.co.uk/songs/juggletime.wmv-Sean Wright-Phillips with some pall trickery and Gudjohnsen sets himself up for an overhead kick