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Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

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6.7 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 33 critic reviews
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Based on 67 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Konami

Genre(s): Sports, Soccer

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: October 17, 2008

Summary

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]

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GAMES: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

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...

WonderwallWeb

Last year was obviously a blip because Pro Evolution Soccer is now back and it is better than ever. The best football game on the market, but only just.

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Cynamite

The fall of the King! Although PES 2009 is better than its predecessor, it loses the duel against an extremely strong FIFA 09.

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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.

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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.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

It's still great, though it could (and should) have been so much better. [Christmas 2008, p.60]

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.

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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.

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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]

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.

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Xbox World Australia

On the other hand Konami have seemed to rest on their laurels, and for possibly the first time have dropped the ball and seen FIFA take the win.

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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.

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TeamXbox

Pick up Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 if you are a huge fan of the series or need a fresh football fix. Everyone else would be better off snatching up a used copy of "FIFA 09" from the preowned rack.

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Gameplayer

Outside of the new “Be A Legend” mode, there’s very little reason here for existing PES owners to upgrade. "PES5" on PS2 is still the pinnacle of the series.

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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.

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GameZone

PES 2009 is an improvement over last year’s game, albeit a very minor one. If the PES franchise wants to stay competitive against FIFA, they certainly have their work cutout for them.

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X360 Magazine UK

Second place in a two-horse race for Konami, due in part to the law of diminishing returns, and also to EA’s unexpected brilliance.

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Play.tm

This game has graphical beauty but in many other areas it fails to excel. On the other hand, it is still a good game, but it's just a few levels below where it really needs to be to compete with the reborn version of "FIFA."

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GameSpot

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is an improvement on last year's game, but this is a series that desperately needs a complete overhaul.

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Thunderbolt

As a lover of the PES series, the time has come to see a complete overhaul to the engine and structure of this ageing formula. With a host of new gameplay modes, and a selection of problematic features, this version of PES will only appeal to the hardcore.

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Gamer.nl

PES 2009 has been beaten by FIFA 09. Of course, EA's game has made tremendous progress in this year's edition, but the fact is still that PES 2009 has little technical improvements above the previous editions. The game is still fun to play and not a faulty purchase, but Konami will need to rethink the concept to beat their competitor next time.

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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.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

The basic act of playing the game is still enjoyable enough, but with FIFA adding loads of great new features like 10 vs 10 online multiplayer, this seems like a step sideways instead of forwards.

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Eurogamer

A game that by any objective measure now languishes in second place behind EA's spirited new-look FIFA. And yet it's only with a heavy heart that we mark it down a point lower, because we still love PES for its personality.

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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.

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Cheat Code Central

The lack of overall polish is inexcusable.

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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.

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Console Monster

Overall, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 shoots but misses the target. The ideas are there but Konami haven’t executed them as well as they could have done.

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Xbox360Achievements

In one word: disappointing.

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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.

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Meristation

PES is starting to show clear signs of weakness, its technology is outdated, stuck in last generation efforts, and that is affecting gameplay too. Lots of features are gone, including official licenses, which gives a poor general feeling as a package. All this has left PES way behind its big rival FIFA in many fields, lincluding fun factor, something PES was usually king of not that long ago.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

When it works, it’s glorious. But rather poorly, it doesn’t work with enough consistency or regularity to reward the kind of extended play most users would expect to get from a new PES title. FIFA is better this year in almost every way possible and while it may grate on long-standing ISS fanboys to go into a shop and buy a FIFA game, there’s no shame whatsoever in simply wanting the best you can get for your money.

Official Xbox Magazine

Despite all its new features, PES 2009 is packed with problems. [Jan 2009, p.75]

GameShark

It’s just now you can really see the difference between FIFA and PES – and FIFA is starting to pull away.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.7 (out of 10) based on 67 User Votes

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

Jimmy D. gave it an8:
Yeah - small dev team - less improvements every year - it's taken 3 years to get (almost - but not all) the features of PES5 to nextgen systems. But the gameplay is still king. For all its modes and features - FIFA09 still feels like slow PES on the pitch. My yardstick every year is trying out the FIFA and PES demos with my (offline) friends - and seeing what they think - seeing as I usually spend half my gametime on PES playing friends when they visit. Half my friends didn't want to play the second half of a FIFA09 match. Yes - it's flawed. Yes - these reviews should give Seabass a kick in the pants. But - for me - the fluid, rewarding gameplay is still there. And Liverpool FC!

H gave it a10:
This game is true to it's name. It keeps evolving for the better every year. Great controls/ game pace. Most of these critic/user reviews are worthless. They don't get the small details in the game play, that make this game great. Fifa has gone from having awful game play, to improved game play, and they get raving reviews? Real pro evo fans know this is the best video football game to date.

Andy V gave it a5:
Before this year the last fifa title i bought was fifa 2001 on the ps2, which quickly got traded in after playing pro evolution soccer. Every year since i have bought every single pro evolution game up to 2008. I always scoffed at those who played fifa, thinking the only reason was because of the license as it sure wasnt the gameplay. However, and this is a big however...fifa is now the better game, the game that plays a more real and satisfying game of football. In addition its the only game of the two that is making any strides and improvements on the "next generation" hardware, taking advantage of the online capabilities and improved processing power to provide realism and atmosphere unparalleled. As a long time pro evo fan i'd recommend you ignore this years edition, buy fifa 09 and then check out both demos next year to see if konami have actually learnt any lessons. The problem is i think they realise theres a problem, but i question whether their team has the talent (particularly in coding and audio engineering) to drastically improve the franchise on the 360 and ps3.

Nik B gave it a4:
This is the first FIFA I have preferred over PES. Pro Evo is continually putting out similar versions each year and being left way behind. The graphics have been updated a bit, but very little else has changed. There are even less licensed teams and leagues than last year! Would never have thought I would change to FIFA, but there are absolutely no doubts that FIFA is the superior football game this year.

Richard J. gave it a5:
I can't believe it, truly the King id dead. It's awful this year. Here are the low points: * No realism in the player movements, they turn without any reference to reality, turning 180 degrees in a heartbeat. * Licences - it's never bother me before, but this year it's so jarring, after playing FIFA and hearing the real chants at Stamford Bridge, going to this is terrible. In BAL Mode it's worse! * The Gameplay is just poor, 8 directional input is DEAD, we NEED analogue inout now Seabass. The D-PAD cannot replicate accurate player movement. * Be a Legend is unfinished. A lot of potential all ruined by shoddy implementation. * Online is broken, I get awful tearing and ripping, also a lot of player morphing. 4 players, FIFA has 10 on 10 and it's better. * The Interface looks like an N64 game! There are so many reasons not to buy it this, as if you choose not to, perhaps they will sit up and take notice, and start trying a little harder. Vote with your feet and wallet, DO NOT buy this game. P.S. I have been a loyal PES/ISS fan since '98.

Sean P. gave it a5:
A big step back in terms of control, and shooting. In PES 08 you could get past players clearly and the controls (albeit sometimes wouldn't respond) tend to be even more unresponsive, leaving more control in the hands of the AI. The striking is poor, unless you are 3 ft from goal the shots are completely random (mostly over the bar as if you'd kicked a fly-a-way football and the wind caught it). I score in the top corner and same position same shot different outcome. I know this was the method in 08 were the shots would be randomised but that would only have been about 50% of the time, now its 100%, unless you are in the box. The RT and RB combination (were your player kicks the ball the furthest way ahead of him) to get past players seems to now only work when it results in the computer getting the ball or if you are in the last 3rd. Anywhere else is doesnt work. Pah! Getting past players cleanly is another big problem, they just seem to stick to you like glue, and when you lose the ball your players seem to slow down then speed up to create the illusion of having a fair chance fo winning the ball. Passing is good and crossing is good, but comp now defends more crosses than ever, corners are no longer as effective, comp seems always to head the ball clear 90% of the time. There just doesnt seem to be any satisfaction in shooting, ball feels like its balloon. All in all there are some improvements over 2008 (less off-sides, more pass variation, slightly improved animations), but there are also some serious drawbacks. Overall though there are more cons than pros in this game, a lot more. Tbh its the very first game I have ever downloaded (yes Its for PC), because I had a strong moral belief in paying for games, if I am quite honest I'm very glad I did, I would be furious had I paid money for this. As it is I can just say, well I didn't pay for it so no biggie, and move back to 2008. Try again Konami.

Phillius F. gave it a2:
Good god, what have they done? The game play is as baffling dull as any Fifa from the last ten years. It all just smacks of laziness. A case in point is the summer transfers, or lack of. With the European window closing on the 31st of August, it shouldn't be too hard to squeeze in a few transfers. But if you can forgive missing off last minute deals like Berbatov and Robinho, why is David Bentley still at Blackburn? His transfer went through on the 31st of July. Oh and all of the commentary was used on last year's game. I know kits and team names aren't the be all and end all, and with PES you expect the lack of licensing, but in the past you've always been able to use their excellent edit modes to create the Premier League yourself, making near reasonable enough replicas of kits and sponsors. Not so this year. With a game so unwilling to look after such insignificances as detail, the least you should expect is to be able to do it yourself. Dreadful effort. Lazy, lazy, lazy and insulting. This used to be a connoisseur's game compared to the point-and-click of Fifa. Not so any more.

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Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

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