I'm planning on buying a PS2, so that I can get Pro Evolution Soccer (PES from now on), the so called best football game simulation ever. And so far, I believe that, that's what it is!

I've heard that it's not a football game, but it IS football. It is supposed to be SO realistic, that when you score, you get the same emotions you get of when your team you support in real life scores! this sounds almost to good to be true!!!!

Anyway, I am playing on the PC version of FIFA 2002 at the moment (if I had access to ISS PE2, you know I'd play it!), but I just KNOW that PES will be better, but WHAT WILL BE BETTER ABOUT IT?!?!?!

Please tell me all the things PES has that blow FIFA 2002 away! ANYTHING!

Cheers! :D

Nick Clubman

.

1) The pace is right - if you're used to FIFA, Pro Evo will feel a bit slow for the first few minutes but gradually you realise that it is the correct, realistic pace and is much better. FIFA just seems liek 100mph pin-ball by comparison.

2) The gameplay - it is divine. There's no "dribble past the whole oppostion, do a couple of 360-spins and score" here. You have to build up the play, be patient, make the right runs, work hard at creating an opening. But of course, you can also hit on the counter-attack, ripping through the opposition defence with the perfect through ball and finish the move with a delicate lob over the keeper. It is just like the real thing. Scoring is hard and goals have to be earned..so when they come, you instinctively shout and punch the air as if you were watching you fav team at a gmatch and they had scored.

3) Tactics are a very important part of the game and so flexible - before you start a match, you can set up the usual 4-4-2, 3-5-2 formations, etc. and then manually alter where you want each guy to be placed on the pitch. But you can also fine-tune everything - you might want to man-mark the oppositions star-player, play zonal defence, etc. But then when you get on the pitch, you can subtley alster things, press a button to make your team a bit more attacking or defensive, press a but to start playing counter-attacking football. The tactics can be crucial in breaking the opposition down and also in stopping them scoring. Again, it's just like the real thing.

4) The players are superb - Figo plays like the real Figo, Roberto Carlos plays like the real Roberto Carlos, etc. Every player has a comprehensive set of attributes and they determine just how good that player is at anything - jumping, heading, defence, attack, shot-power, shot-accuracy, strongest foot (left or right), passing, dribbling, speed, stamina, height, weight, etc.
Tall players are more likely to win headers; heavy players are harder to knock off the ball; small players tend to be more nimble and tricky. Players also lose form and have bad games so you have to decide if you want to pick you star player if he is off form or do you pick someone not so good but who is in the peak of condition. All of these factors actually matter and affect the match.
The depth is incredible.

5) It get's better with time - this is not like FIFA where you have a few fun games but then get bored as it has nothing else to offer. The detail is incredible and the full range of beautiful touches which have been written into the game only become apparent after weeks/months of regular playing. You become totally absorbed and it's incredibly hard to switch off....you think "just one more game, then I'll go to bed".

To sum it up, the more you play it, the more you love it. Not many games can claim that.

Hey nick, after playing the beta for a while, i posted some thoughts in this thread (http://www.soccergaming.tv/showthread.php?s=&postid=150259#post150259)

Gives you a feel of the major parts of the game.

hey nick are you prepared to dump FIFA 2002?
this is what you will do after playing PES at least if you know something about soccer not these 360 turn and button mashing of the sprint button :)

Originally posted by nickclubman
I'm planning on buying a PS2, so that I can get Pro Evolution Soccer (PES from now on), the so called best football game simulation ever. And so far, I believe that, that's what it is!

I've heard that it's not a football game, but it IS football. It is supposed to be SO realistic, that when you score, you get the same emotions you get of when your team you support in real life scores! this sounds almost to good to be true!!!!

Anyway, I am playing on the PC version of FIFA 2002 at the moment (if I had access to ISS PE2, you know I'd play it!), but I just KNOW that PES will be better, but WHAT WILL BE BETTER ABOUT IT?!?!?!

Please tell me all the things PES has that blow FIFA 2002 away! ANYTHING!

Cheers! :D

Nick Clubman

Yeah .... uhm, don't overestimate the game mate. It is going to be totally brilliant, but to compare scoring in the game with your team scoring in reallife, no way. ;)

I have experienced several minutes of ISS (And yes, I know I can't compare it with PES, but still ....) and several minutes of Tottenham in reallife. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can compare to be the witness of a goal scored at White Hart Lane (Maybe except one thing then ;)).

culo is right, what makes this game great is its depth. Its also the control you get.

One thing I have started noticing is how much timing matters, if you wait during the animation the pass/shot header you produce changes, I ve have scored a fantastic dropping volley, but missed dozens because I mistimed them.

I recently scored my first scissor kick, Van Nistelrooy scored from a Beckham cross it went in off the bar SUPERB.... its not like FIFA where you see this more often, or not at all, with FIFA you feel like its up to the computer if you do things, with ISS you feel like you missed or scored because you got it wrong or right thats the real difference...


I have taken to playing with Solskjaer up front with Nistelrooy, Solskjaer doesnt have pace, but his finishing is deadly, half a chance and its a goal with him, he might get two chances a game but hes almost guaranteeda 50 % hit rate.

WOW! - thanks guys!!

Great, little preview of PES there the-man, I enjoyed reading that.

Also, I have felt that FIFA 2002 is quite realistic, but only on occasions and the game is just getting tooooo easy! :( Also the ball pyshics are weird. At times the ball comes down at a reasonable pace, but at other times, it floats! maybe it's the height I kicked the ball, it just looks like it's coming down slower, cause it so high. Like when you look at an Aireplane in thhe sky, it's going MUCH faster than it actually looks.

Oh well, I'm getting myself PES!

Nick Clubman

Looks like GOD has finally decided to release PES, PES HAS LANDED ON EARTH.

gettin my copy tomorow if it is my local toys r us.

AMEN