Well, where do I start??
WOW!!! WOW!!! and, yes you've guessed it, WOW!!!
I have played this option file until 3am and as soon as I woke up I was all over it again.
I have always loved the PES series, even when it was going through a rough patch, but since the late ps1 and ps2 days I have not been really excited about the game as I am now. I am not talking about how good the game plays and feels; I am talking about the joy and pure fun the classic national teams brings to the game (hint hint Konami).
This option file, as well as the legends one, has completely added a new dimension to an already great game. Being in my late 30s and remembering, as a young child, Maradona lifting the World Cup in 86 it is with great happiness that I can now play with my early days football idols such as Roberto Baggio, Zidane, Rui Costa, Ronaldo and the likes. All against each other and along each other and all playing along both the previous generations as well as the current one. What more can you ask?
I kicked off with a Portugal - USSR which finished with a cracking 9-0 with Futre and Eusebio scoring most of the goals. C. Ronaldo was overshadowed and this is one of the things I like here. When you might think that the bigger names will be the ones that produce it will actually be those who you might not give enough credit that deliver the goods. Futre's left foot and mazing runs were unstoppable.
I was joined by a mate of mine for a few head-to-heads after. After sorting out the issue with playing with two controllers we were all set. We played a Hungary - Holland, a Brazil - Argentina, a Germany - England, a Peru -Spain and finally a Mexico - Chile. We were impressed by the quality of the kits as the teams walked through the tunnel and onto the pitch. Cruiyff's iconic captain armband contrasting with that classic orange Adidas shirt and Peru's red strip that almost look light it was hand sewed springs to mind. Watching the intros and the replays just to stand in awe was definitely one of the highlights of the night. We were gobsmacked.
More importantly, it felt real and spectacular. Maradona's agility (and hair), Pele's power, Van Basten's heading prowess, Dino Zoff's shot stopping skills are all perfectly recreated. Nothing brings more joy than to see, for instance, Bobby Charlton being denied by Khan's unreal save when the ball looked almost certain to finish on the back of the net. I do not remember stopping a game so often to see the replays.
This is what this option files bring: great goals, great saves, great shots and great moments to remember all courtesy of the players you grew up loving or currently love or your parents did!! This is what a football game should be, fun but at the same time accurate and what I mean with that is just because Maradona has a rate of 99 do not expect him to score with his right foot when out of balance or on the turn. As with the overal PES gameplay, Ratmundo's ratings are perfectly applied.
Further proof of how good this option file is lies in how many games my mate played with me as he usually gives up after being beaten in a couple of matches. But because it was so much fun, even though he kept loosing, he wanted more action and play with different teams.
I could be here all day praising this work of art for this or that reason but I do not think I would do justice to Ratmundo's creation. I wish I knew how to export a goal I scored with Maldini. After scoring that goal, and what a goal it was, I felt whole like life itself has a meaning after all. So if you are looking for a new lease of life for your favourite game, if you are looking to relive your football childhood memories and experience football for what it should be - fun and spectacular goals - then this option file will answer all your payers.
'Nuff said.
Ratmundo: THANK YOU!!!!!
Cheers,
Luis
