Hey guys, as my first post, I'd like to contribute a translation of the Korean Gamespot article on WE9LE. It's a quick translation, but I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.gamespot.co.kr/pc/review/0,39041339,39226160-39090347p-1,00.htm
Gamespot Review: Winning Eleven 9 Liveware Evolution
Rating: 8.3
If one were to pick the most popular sports game on the PS2, the Winning Eleven series would fit the bill without hesitation. The Winning Eleven series has been rated as approaching the most realistic soccer out of all the current soccer game offerings and has developed a cult following over a long time. Although the Korean game market today is nearly completely monopolized by online games, the Winning Eleven series has amazingly maintained its popularity due to its high gaming qualities even though it has not supported online connectivity.
Ultimately, the Winning Eleven series followed changing trends and added online functionality. Regrettably to gamers, however, Winning Eleven 8 Liveware Evolution, the first game with online match play, was never offered in the Korean market. But, Winning Eleven 9 Liveware Evolution (or “WE9LE”) was introduced in Korea on April 13th and offered full-fledged support for Winning Eleven online soccer matches.
The WE9LE intro starts with a movie showing the excitement of soccer featuring a refreshing opening theme song, passionate crowd chants, neighborhood children playing soccer on the streets, and ending with awesome plays by professional players. One nitpick is that although the Winning Eleven series usually features a new opening for each iteration, WE9LE only shows the same opening found in Winning Eleven 9 for the PS2. Accordingly, those who have already played the PS2’s Winning Eleven 9 can simply skip the intro.
After the intro, the Game Mode screen appears. WE9LE’s Game Mode contains a Normal Match Mode where you can play a single game against the computer or a friend, a Master League Mode where you can nurture your own team, a Normal League Mode, a Cup Mode, an Edit Mode where you can create or edit new teams or players, an Option Mode where you can adjust various game settings, and a Network Mode where you can enjoy matches online through an online server.
The Master League, a unique feature of the Winning Eleven series that is unavailable in the average soccer game, is based off the European Champions League. The Champions League is the most popular league in the world because it allows entry only by the top finishers of their respective European regional leagues and, thus, showcases magnificent matches where one can see many stars.
The typical progression of the Master League is as follows: team selection, league matches, and then WEFA matches. During the league’s progress you can make contracts that trade players in and out. This game mode allows you to make your own team as the league progresses. Furthermore, the game’s financial model requires shrewd team management because it is possible to go bankrupt and get a “game over” if you haphazardly sign on players, riskily extend contracts, or lose many games in succession.
The Edit Mode where one can edit players and teams is not a feature that the average player will use often. However, if you are a gamer who wants to enjoy a different flavor to the game, you can expect to spend increasing amounts of time making the unlicensed teams and players more closely match their real life counterparts. The Edit Mode allows you to create a player or change an existing player’s abilities, appearance, position, etc. to your tastes. You can even change the team emblems and directly create and edit uniforms.
If you try the Edit Mode you will see that it has a natural feel to it. In other words, WE9LE’s portrayal of the players really comes to life in the look of the animations. Also, each player is represented in minute detail, allowing you to recognize each player by face at close range during the stadium entry shot. Even apart from the players, WE9LE’s graphics show dedication and attention to detail in every nook and cranny. Unfortunately, teams and players for which a license could not be obtained show graphics and emblems that are far removed from their real counterparts. But this shortcoming can be overcome through the Edit Mode.
Regrettably, WE9LE is not a game that is strong in its sounds. Although you can’t hear high quality sounds, WE9LE’s real-time commentary makes you feel like you’re actually there. At the start of a match, Announcer Shin Seung-Dae and Commentator Suh Hyung Uk begin their real-time commentary that varies depending on the action on the pitch. Also, with certain teams having distinct chants and crowd effects, it makes you feel like you’ve arrived at the stadium. For instance, Korea’s “Dae---- Han Min Guk!” is featured. However, the only shortcomings are that the comments are rather simple and the players do not have their own voices.
WE9LE features world-famous soccer clubs and teams from first rate leagues like the French League, German League, English League, Dutch League, Italian League, Spanish League. Also, national teams that are to participate and have participated in the past in the World Cup make their appearances. Each team has a different strength rating based on the players they possess. Brazil, with their extraordinary attackers, boasts the highest strength rating. Aside from Brazil, it is good to experience the varied strengths of the famous clubs and ranked national teams.
Each team’s players are represented by about 50 ability stats, including those such as speed, attacking ability, defense ability, and stamina. Some players even have unique trademark moves that mimic real life. In addition to the ability stats, player movement is affected by age and bodily characteristics. With the combination of the above, a player’s dribble fluidity, body checking, pass accuracy, pass anticipation, trapping, shooting accuracy, and the like are determined. It is the gamer’s responsibility to put these players in positions that utilize their traits.
Strategy and tactics are tools available to maximize the players’ abilities and the gamer’s playing style. WE9LE is nearly unlimited in the number formations available. Although formations can be freely changed to fit the gamer’s taste, it is advisable to beware of indiscriminate formation changes that can threaten a team’s attack/defense balance. Also, in WE9LE, a player’s condition is divided into 5 levels. Because a player’s abilities can increase or decrease depending on his condition, it is necessary to employ players according to their conditions. Finally, tactics can be used during a match by pressing the L2 button in conjunction with other buttons. A maximum of 4 tactics can be used during a game.
The Winning Eleven series has long been lauded for having game characteristics that are like those of real soccer. In the past, a match between gamers of similar skill usually yields no more than 2 goals, showing a suitable balance between attack and defense. However, observations of WE9LE’s online matches seem to indicate more emphasis on attack. A noticeable balance tweak is the weakening of the goalkeeper AI. In contrast with previous iterations, the goalkeeper’s response has become slower. As the distance between the attacker and the goal decreases, the goalkeeper’s reflexes have a tendency to become slower. Furthermore, the attacker’s dribbling feels more fluid and the turning responsiveness more tight, making it more difficult for defenders to steal the ball. These balance tweaks have resulted in more chances on goal and have increased the success rate of shots on goal.
WE9LE’s controls are simple yet complicated. In other words, it is possible to play using the basic controls, the more complicated controls can yield more varied play patterns. In WE9LE, one can score by only passing, dribbling, and shooting. However, like real soccer maneuvers that are executed with the aim of confusing the opposition, the through pass, 2:1 pass, long pass, lob shot, and various feints can be also used.
WE9LE’s online matches are not very different from normal matches. WE9LE’s online formula is a fee-based service that is similar in execution to that of Starcraft where a host creates a room and clients can connect to the room to play in the match. Occasionally, lag can occur depending on the specifications of the host computer. Because of this, once the first half is concluded, the host and client can switch places and start a new match. Match outcomes are all saved on the server, with stats like goals, fouls, and the like being saved to establish one’s server rank.
WE9LE has expanded its stage from off-line to on-line. Although the online match implementation is not perfect, no big problems are anticipated because matches can be played under fair circumstances. With WE9LE’s online matches, you can realize your true skill level as you come up against other gamers, and at the same time, have a good time flaunting your skills.