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How Metascores Are Calculated
67
Battle Fantasia
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Known by fans for its superior gameplay and incredible realism, PES 2009 further bridges the gap between PES and the real thing. The game has undergone a graphical update to ensure its players look more like their real-life counterparts. Similarly, all-new options allow users to tailor the game to their own tastes, while new stylish moves, innovative control schemes and key online elements further the realism. [Konami]
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... 90
Playstation Official Magazine UK
"FIFA 09" feels like the better representation of actual football, while PES is the more fun, accessible game. And the end result is a score draw. [Nov 2008, p.100]
90
Games Master UK
A big improvement on last year but has ended up as the lighter alternative to "FIFA." [Dec 2008, p.72]
90
Cynamite
The fall of the King! Although PES 2009 is better than its predecessor, it loses the duel against an extremely strong FIFA 09.
 90
Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
So for soccer purists, if you're able to remove the barrier to acceptance built by the licensing(though PES includes full Champions League support, including the images and music), this is a wonderfully deep, playable, and entertaining sim. [Feb 2009, p.76]
88
GamingXP
PES 2009 tremendously raises the level in the genre of football simulations. If Konami had invested more money in official licenses, the game wouldn’t have to fear any challenge.
88
ImpulseGamer
In conclusion, PES 2009 is an improvement over its 2008 version that still contains sturdy gameplay and lush graphics to match. The control system of the PS3 is almost perfect and the only complaint of the title is the lackluster Be A Legend mode, however I'm sure Konami will address in this upcoming versions.
88
PSM3 Magazine UK
Sterling footy action but the lack of new ideas is starting to grate. [Nov 2008, p.62]
85
IGN UK
For all its problems off the pitch, there’s no doubting that PES 2009 is the most fun football game on the market.
85
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
In this effort to regain the title, PES plays it safe and recovers the classic gameplay that conquered the players in the last decade. But while it can be enough to hold on the fans, the reused formula and the comeback of the same old flaws can be a growing problem for the future. [Oct 2008]
85
Vandal Online
It is not the best simulation, but it's as entertainment as few games, and a good challenger that we could say arrives one year late. But football fans can be happy: this year we can choose without missing.
85
Gameplanet
Putting aside the disappointments of PES 2009, on the pitch, the game is still the most realistic football sim on the market. I don’t believe the PES franchise is getting any worse, rather that EA’s FIFA franchise is barking at its heels and surpassing it in some areas.
85
Game Informer
While this game plays better on the pitch because AI teammates are smarter at taking runs, distributing the ball, and springing others with through balls, it lags behind FIFA in its feedback to the player and the fact that it has a better sim feature while you are on the bench.
80
Playstation Official Magazine Australia
A step in the right direction for the franchise. [Christmas 2008, p.84]
80
Play UK
The best PES there has been for some time, but still no match for the everimproving FIFA. If you want two football games this year then they’re two worth having, but do you? Do you really?
80
Total Video Games
PES makes changes to its formula that aren't particularly welcome for the most part and, while the Become A Legend mode has potential, the general gameplay has taken a downturn.
80
Level7.nu
If you want to play with your friends offline or love playing master league without any changes - this is the football game for you. But if you want to play online or look forward to the new game modes Champions League and Become a Legend - prepare to be dissapointed. It's a great game on the pitch and a lot of small improvements has been made, but everything outside the pitch is far behind the competition.
80
LEVEL (Czech Republic)
The quality of this game greatly depends on how you play soccer games. If you play together with your friends in the sofa, PES 2009 is tough to beat. But if you play by yourself or online PES 2009 is unfortunately too flawed when compared to the competition. This might be a much better game than last year's edition on Playstation 3, but the flaws are way to many and frustrating to make this a better game than it's competitor.
80
PTGamers
It still isn't quite sure if it's arcade or simulation, but at least the players aren't racing through the field like in last year's edition.
78
NZGamer
Overall I think PES 2009 has the makings of a great game that’s just been held back by the lack of forward momentum.
76
GameTrailers
The more players demand by way of stats, management options, and formation flexibility, the more this franchise gets left behind. Having a limited selection of real teams playing in a fabricated league just doesn’t cut it anymore. The gameplay remains as a solid foundation, but that can only take a game so far.
72
IGN
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 makes a valiant effort at keeping pace with FIFA 09, and there are some improvements and good ideas under the strange gameplay changes that were made, it’s just tough to see them if you’ve played FIFA.
70
AceGamez
It's sometimes strange to consider how quickly the two main performers in the world of football videogames have changed their styles. FIFA is now the American Smooth of the genre, classic, elaborate and elegant, while PES is like a Cha Cha Cha; faster and livelier but also seen as somewhat outdated.
70
GameSpot
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is an improvement on last year's game, but this is a series that desperately needs a complete overhaul.
70
D+PAD Magazine
When put up against the competition PES feels outdated and crude, crumbling under the weight of expectation that each annual iteration brings. The additional modes may make it the best PES on the current crop of consoles, but the rigid animations, pathetic commentary system and shoddy online component all add up to a game that just hasn’t progressed since the PS2-era as much as it deserved to.
70
VideoGamer
PES 2009 is a good game, but the times they are changin', and we're afraid that Konami is being left behind. Time for a reboot, Seabass.
70
TheSixthAxis
A well-presented, enjoyable game of football that suffers from a few issues involving sound and physics. If you loved PES 6 you will love PES 09 and in many ways I think this is the game’s biggest strength and, at the same time, its biggest weakness.
69
3DJuegos
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 seems to be, again and lamentably, a lost opportunity. This could have been a great chance to vindicate the lost football throne, to demonstrate to the skeptics that they are cappable to make a great game, and to bring some light to a saga that is suffering, overwhelmed by new titles.
68
MEGamers
This is easily the worst PES we have ever played. Hopefully next year Konami will work on improving the game. Until then though, we have FIFA 09.
68
Cheat Code Central
The lack of overall polish is inexcusable.
67
1UP
The PES-versus-FIFA bout is always tough to call, but while neither disappoints, I'll narrowly side with the glitzier, überlicensed competition this season: FIFA 09.
60
games(TM)
Konami has made a concerted effort to make the game more accessible, but by speeding up and simplifying much of the action it risks alienating the fans of the series who are used to the ebb and flow of the real thing. [Christmas 2008, p.113]
58
GameShark
It’s just now you can really see the difference between FIFA and PES – and FIFA is starting to pull away.
58
Game Revolution
Similarly, PES 2009 is a drunken misstep for the series, but because I’m a sucker for the underdog, I’m hopeful that Konami will get it right the next time around. In the meantime, we’re left with a game that looks, smells, and feels a lot like regret and a hangover.
49
HellBored
PES fans may get a lot from this as they’ll selectively ignore some of the glaring issues, but if you’re only going to buy one football game this year, make sure it’s FIFA.
bob my gave it a10: C Boy gave it a7: Thad W. gave it a9: Gaz C. gave it a9: Jay S. gave it a10: Trik N gave it a9: Andy K. gave it a9: |
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