Product Description

With the Pro Evolution Soccer series renowned for its fluid, realistic gameplay, the new game builds on the implementation of Teamvision with additional key advances. As with previous releases since its inception in 1996, the ball is again treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #223 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2007-10-26
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

Manufacturer's Description
Key to PES 2008 is a proprietary adaptive AI system entitled Teamvision. Unique to the Konami game, Teamvision is a sophisticated AI programming that learns and adapts according to an individual’s style of play. As such, it will learn new ways to build attacks and to counter specific movements and previous attacking or defensive errors, ensuring games are more in line with the tactical but flowing nature of the real thing.

With the Pro Evolution Soccer series renowned for its fluid, realistic gameplay, the new game builds on the implementation of Teamvision with additional key advances. As with previous releases since its inception in 1996, the ball is again treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.

Working in conjunction with the Teamvision system, every aspect of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008’s on-field play has been reworked and fine-tuned to create the balanced and strategic play of a high stakes match. Set-pieces have been improved, with full control given over the number of players and the position of the defensive wall. A wider range of set piece options are also available to make use of specific talents within the team.

Customer Reviews

Pretty disappointing
The only thing to have improved since the last game is the graphics. The gameplay is worse than ever and the master league is worse than on the last game.

Even the graphics aren't that improved, the crowd looks awfull and they all move together, so when you score every single person in the crowd stands up at exactly the same time and they all lift up one arm (the same arm) at the same time. The gameplay is awfull, there's still the problem that you can run into the box and take it round the keeper then blaze it over the bar for no reason. players miss other easy chances for no reason either, you can absolutely batter a team and fail to score then more often then not the computer will go up the pitch and score with there first shot. The computer can go on unstoppable runs where you just can't tackle them, when you try they just stumble and come out with the ball and carry on. The refs too are worse than ever, in this game you can't slide tackle without being sent off, even if you clearly win the ball which obviously doesn't count for anything in this game.

The masterleague hasn't been improved at all. The only changes made are that it now has some fan rating where if you win a match your fan rating goes up about 1 point and if you loose it goes down about a 100 points. The only other change is when you sign a player you get a picture of them wearing your teams shirt or something. Other than these pointless changes nothing else has been improved or added.

On the plus side though the new euro pop sound track is pretty good. You've got to use your head is a class track.

Anything less than 4 stars is just churlish
OK - so PES sets a high bar. Yes more could have been made on the PS3 or 360. But fundamentally this is still an awesome game. It remains the best for multi player (in one room) bar none. Loses one star as I agree with others who claim the lag destroys the online experience. But hey, just get some mates round - it's more fun when you can actually throw toffees at people for missing and to see your victory lap around the room!

Takes the fun out of the game
Pro Evo has always been the superior game to Fifa. Gamers have always said 'people who know anything about football buy Pro Evo'. Which has been true.

However this version has taken the step towards realism one notch too far. I find this game far more frustrating than fun. By putting emphasis too firmly on players that are on or off form, it means your men inevitably end up making mistakes, even if you didn't.

I have found my players to pass to the wrong people, shoot wherever they feel, do anything but what I intended. It's like having someone come and poorly interpert your moves.

The graphics aren't up to much either, with some major drops in frame rate for what are poor graphics compared to the likes of GTA or MGS. The options for tournaments are ok, but you can't obviously play through a tournament on the same team as a friend, which is odd.

But really, the biggest let down is the controls. Which is a shame. Hopefully PES 2009 will correct this.