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Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

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6.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
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Based on 36 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Konami

Genre(s): Sports, Soccer

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: March 11, 2008

Summary

PES 2008 features a brand new intelligence system, called Teamvision, that adapts and reacts to players own gameplay styles to ensure that the computer controlled opponents are always challenging and forcing the player to think and chance their style of play to avoid being out-thought by the game. It learns counter attacks that target your weaknesses and look to exploit any repetitive tactics players use. Defenders react better to danger, closing down the ball and charging at shots and the goalkeepers hold shots that are closer to them as well. Teammates make more intelligent runs into space and the close control has been sharpened to ensure quick and fluid passing and speedy attacks can be built. The next gen versions also feature extensive edit modes so players can completely customise their PES 2008 experience. [Konami]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Playstation Official Magazine UK

There is no other game on PS3 that you're guaranteed to still be playing this obsessively this time next year. [Nov 2007, p.84]

AceGamez

At present it feels like one of the worst games in the series to date, with issues such as slowdown and poor editing options hampering the experience. Yet it still has the potential to be without a doubt the greatest football game yet.

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PSM3 Magazine UK

A backward step in some ways. But it's still PES, and so remains horrifyingly addictive. [Dec 2007, p.62]

IGN

The list of features may not have any true standouts but it's tough to argue with the sheer amount of fun that can be had with a game of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.

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Eurogamer

PES 2008's entertaining match improvements, exhilarating action and solid additions mean it just about scrapes another 8, though at no point does it come even close to flirting with higher scores. It's fast, fluid, fun and physical, an improved, revamped version of PES 6 if you like.

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Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

Pro Evo appears to be tired and probably needs a break. It’s still a great soccer game, and when enjoyed with friends it’s still one of the best multiplayer games on consoles, but its stagnant state has to be recognized even by the most ferocious supporters. [Nov 2007]

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

For the on-field experience, PES is an astounding recreation of the beautiful game, and we just hope that the license restrictions are alleviated by 09. [May 2008, p.76]

Game Informer

I continue to be a fan of this franchise because it offers the best soccer gameplay, hands down. But that sexy, albeit underperforming, ride on EA’s lot may win me over if Konami doesn’t step up and offer a better package soon.

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PTGamers

With Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, Konami uses the points they believe having in advantage over their adversaries, and offers players a capable but flawed game.

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VideoGamer

PES 2008 on PS3 is for a next-gen console but it is not a next-gen game. You cannot ignore the fact that, for whatever reason, this is a poor effort from Konami.

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NTSC-uk

They need to elevate PES to the next stage of its life that it so deserves, and the only way they can do that is to give players more of what they want rather than take from them.

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Play UK

PES 2008 stumbles, rather than sprints onto the PS3, leaving us with the first Pro Evo game that falls short of the FIFA franchise. We expected a revolutionised football title that'd set the series back on course, but this is just shameful. [Issue#159, p.78]

Cheat Code Central

But gameplay is no better this year than it was last year and everything else is quite poorly done.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

The foundation of Pro Evo still supports enjoyable and technical soccer, but it badly needs something new for next season. [May 2008, p.78]

G4 TV

The gameplay is still the best out there but Konami needs to step up their game. The changes were very minor and the new AI is not as sharp as advertised. This would have been a solid first game, but this is pretty much an exact replica from last year’s version with a revamped AI and the same old online issues.

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GameSpy

After years of living up to the name of evolving the beautiful game, Konami's latest Pro Evolution Soccer effort is an embarrassment for a series that has served as the dominant title in the genre.

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Boomtown

Taking into account the design flaws, AI inconsistencies, the lack of progression and that the PS2 version is arguably a lot better (and cheaper) than the ‘next-gen’ versions yet again (albeit very little different to PES 6 save for some subtle differences), but also taking into account that for some people the frame-rate issues and online play aren’t as bad as they are for others, PES 2008 still just about manages to scrape a six.

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GameSpot

Konami's first Pro Evolution Soccer game for the PS3 plays well but suffers from noticeable slowdown and feels somewhat unfinished.

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1UP

Little maintenance problems tend to go wrong (i.e., the A.I. issues), and Pro Evo for the current generation of powerful systems obviously needs some new paint. It seems that the development team did just enough to get by.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.3 (out of 10) based on 36 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Demetrios S. gave it a9:
Despite its flaws of slow frame rate on replays and online lag, this game continues to improve game play year after year. Improvements include, ball control, individual defending, ball physics, shooting, and the A.I. runs off the ball just to name a few. For the people saying they are going to FIFA this year.........go ahead and have fun with that ball control that looks and feels like the ball is on a string and players that don't make runs and look like they are skating instead of running. Pro evolution might lack some flash but you can't beat PES game play.........period.

John D. gave it a5:
Spoiled by some intrusive technical flaws, disappointing frame rate in-game - especially when rendering replays - being the most obvious. Not very good quality software, feels rushed. May be fixed via online patches but if you pay top dollar for a game you kind of expect it to just work. Apart from that, the gameplay is just the same old thing, the graphics are smartened up a bit for the new platform but ruined by rendering issues and there's really nothing new in it. Might as well get an earlier incarnation for the PS2 and save yourself some money.

Daryl L. gave it an8:
So the latest pro evo finally hits the PS3 but was it worth the wait and the hype? The answer; almost. Pro evolution 2008 delivers what is essentially the raw gameplay from previous versions that engrosses football fans so much that it leaves their bums sore. Multiplayer as always is great and can't be flawed. However despite all its gameplay greatness it just doesn't live up to the expectations of the so called new generation football game. Fair enough it looks better here and there but there's no 'wow' factor to make this game truly great.

Limanima gave it a5:
I played the PES demo, and I realy didn't like it. But the truth is that I don't like soccer games in general. The main reason I don't like them, is because they seem sooooooo sloooooow. The players take ages to run 10 meters, and that is anoying. Where are the fast paced games like the good old Sensible Soccer or Kick Off? I think the main probem with this games, is the pursuit of realism, which in my opinion affects gameplay. The worth with PES is that it doesn't seem like a next gen game graphicaly speaking. There's nothing there that the good old PS2 won't do.

Barry P. gave it a6:
I've been a die hard pro evo fan since its incarnation(international superstar soccer on the snes)and to say i was let down by this title wouldn't be unfair.As with most people who bought a PS3 on its launch,i've found that it's just a glorified ps2 at the moment(ie no original ps3 titles,i've spent the last 6 months playing pro evo 6 on it and pretty much nothing else)so the chance to get my hands on a 100% next gen pro evo had me a little excited.Unfortunatley it didn't deliver.If you ignore the actual game play for a moment and spend some time focusing on the other aspects of the game(i.e training master league etc) you realise that it is a step backward in almost every way.Training challenges are no more,PES points which were accumulated from playing games and used to purchase upgrades like new stadiums and classic players are no where to be seen.In fact to unlock the classic teams all you have to do is win the world cup with the modern counterpart.This may of been rewarding,however you can choose the easiest difficulty and shortest match time to achieve it......challenging,i dont think so. As for the actual gameplay,some improvements have been made although with the exception of diving nothing is too far from previous pro evo outings.All in all i think i may be dusting off my copy of PES 6 until next year.

Perry G. gave it an8:
Since I've been using my PS3 mostly to play the PS2 edition of PES 6 -- yes, the PS3 games lineup is that bad -- I was looking forward to the next-gen PES 2008. It's good, not great. Via HDMI, the slow-down isn't too bad, it certainly doesn't make the game unplayable. But replays are jerky, and you do wonder why they're having trouble getting a steady frame-rate. Player models are comparable to Virtua Tennis 3 -- sort-of impressive, but not very lifelike. Oddly, the animations are quite poor, Peter Crouch seems to run with his legs bent like a hobbit. I haven't downloaded an edit file to see how the game looks with proper kits, but Konami has again missed some obvious ways to improve the atmosphere (crowd noise is so-so, esp. compared with Fifa; and why no national anthems for international games?). The bright spot is Jon Champion's commentary, he's outstanding. Lawro has good lines but reads them like he's in a school play, he's a terrible voice actor. PES fans will be relieved to have a next-gen version, but there's huge scope for improvement -- maybe via a patch to resolve the slowdown issues, surely in PES 2009 next year. If they release a shoddy title next time around, Fifa may finally grind out a win. Seabass, give us national anthems and smooth framerates and remember that we love you!

Will R. gave it a9:
I'm a hardened Pro Evo fan, harking back from the days of ISS Pro and having recently bought a PS3, I couldn't wait! I'd heard some nasty rumours about it not being great and seen some mixed reviews. Some people had mentioned FIFA being better ...?? Well, I think this game's great. Much improved from the last game, I've noticed only a few flaws. The replays are awful (sooo glitchy!), online play is slow and the ref';s whistle is annoyingly quick! Otherwise, I love it. Room for improvement next time, but a solid effort!

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