Just one week to go

Yes the release of PES 2009 is just one week away! Have you pre-ordered your copy or will you be buying it on the day?

Reactions on the PES 2009 demo

So far we’ve been playing the Xbox 360 version, and most of us are pleased and impressed with this years offering of Pro Evolution Soccer.

Here are our positive and negative thoughts and points about the new edition of PES, in no particular order:

  • The players feel heavier, sturdier, more realistic, but slightly more sluggish.
  • The ball feels heavier, and does not fly around the pitch as fast as it did in PES 2009.
  • If you bump into the referee, on or off the ball, he still knocks you down to the floor, or makes you tumble.
  • Attacking players still get into very offside positions.
  • The slide tackles still feel good, but the ref does not always spot a good tackle and you can get booked for a decent, fair challenge.
  • If you shoot and it gets blocked by a players hand/arm, this is recognised and a free-kick will be given.
  • The replays are much smoother than 2008, and keep your settings from the last time you have viewed a replay (camera angle etc).
  • You can view a replay after whistle has been blown, so if you shoot, miss, and then a goal kick is taken, you can then go and view the replay from the missed shot.  This has not been possible in the past.
  • Going from the end of the first half to the beginning of the second half is very quick, in fact just two button presses.
  • Individual players have a lot more characteristic animation than before, for example Ferdinand passes exactly like he does in real life, Rooney runs exactly like he runs.
  • Player collision has more animation before, it looks really realistic when two player shoulder barge or crash into each other.
  • Lots more player animation overall, the game looks a lot more next-gen and realistic because of it.
  • CPU controlled players call for the ball both through audio and visual prompts.

More points to follow as we play more.

PES 2009 demo is on Xbox live

The Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 demo is now availible on Xbox live ready for download.  The demo hit the marketplace at 7.30am and can be expected to be downloaded by a lot of users today.

The text accopianing the demo is :

“In PES 2009, linking up with your team-mates is the key. Watch for their moves as they make runs and call for the ball! It’s down to you to pick out the best option and end the attack with a great team goal! This demo can be played with upto 4 people.”

When the PES 2008 demo was released on the Xbox live Marketplace last year, the download speed was pretty slow becauase of the ammount of people downloading it at once.  To avoid any disapointing delay, we suggest you start your download asap.

We’ll be giving you a full run down of the demo later on today!

Please give us your thoughts on the demo in the comments below!

PES 2009 Demo out on Oct 2nd

The PES 2009 demo is out this Thursday the 3rd of October, a week earlier than initial news believed. Pro Evo News reported that there would be updated news on the Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 demo yesterday and here is the news we were hoping for.

Features of the Xbox 360 and PS3 PES 2009 demo include:

  • A full five minute exhibition match
  • Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona as playable club teams.
  • France and Italy as playable national sides
  • The demo is also due to include videos of the online ‘Legends’ and ‘Become a Legend’ modes.

This is great news and we are now so excited about playing the game in just two days away.

Are you getting excited yet?

So far Pes 2009 has been recieving some good reviews from magazines such as OPM (9/10), and is generally picking up good press for people who have played the game so far. Most people are agreeing on the following points:

  • The gameplay is fluid, smooth, and allows for some really nice moves to come together. Total football is easily possible more than ever before, and it is made the game enjoyable for everyone.
  • The edit mode is fantastic and allows for full customisation of all the things you could possibly want, including team badges.
  • The Champions League mode is a great addition to PES as it allows for a longer single player longevity. People who have played the mode have said it’s really satisfying going though the tournament with a smaller team.
  • The PS3 version allows you to play your own background music.
  • The menus and general presentation are much better this time round.

Updated news on the PES 2009 demo is coming soon…

Pro Evolution Soccer gets UEFA Champions League four year licence

Konami has announced that PES 2009 will feature the UEFA Champions League licence, and that they have rights to the licence for the next four years, meaning that PES 2010, 2011, and 2012 all all feature the Champions League.

Pro Evo News previously reported on that PES 2009 would feature Champions League football.

This confirms that Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 will contain all elements, branding, and attributes of the UEFA Champions League. Unfortunantly the Champions League will be a seperate game mode to the Master League, which is not great news, but at least it does have the new game mode.

Read more…