One year later and Pro Evolution Soccer looks to have ditched the numbered versions in favour of what seems to be yearly updates, and so we have Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. If you wanted high-definition soccer last year, the only place that you were going to find it was the Xbox 360. Now, both HD consoles are satisfied, with versions also released on the PS2, PSP and DS. Even with this wide catering, it seems that the PS2 version of the game is still the one to get. If you wanted a true HD soccer evolution, you’re still going to have to wait at least another year. We don’t know whether it’s because the developers don’t have a handle on the HD hardware, or whether the PS2 version is still the lead version, but there are aspects to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions that leave to be desired. Again, it’s not to say that the game itself is bad. However, if you’re going to be paying the HD premium on a title such as this one, you’d at least expect some sort of substantial improvement or leap over previous versions.
And that's out.
Probably the most disappointing aspect of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for the Xbox 360 is that it adds no new explicit features of last year’s game. For example, an in-depth training mode such as the one in Pro Evolution Soccer 5 would have been very welcome. Furthermore, the few gameplay tweaks that have been made are barely noticeable. You are, to an extent, paying for the same game that you played last year. Though as is usually the case, the changes that have been made are unanimously better. That is, you can argue whether an addition such as manual diving is good or bad for a serious soccer game. Also, the view from behind the goal keeper when taking penalty kicks can be off-putting at first.
The much-touted Team-Vision feature hasn’t quite been realised as we would have hoped but it does indeed make a difference that is at least noticeable. The opposition AI will at times change their defensive strategy if you continue with the same pattern of attack. It further encourages players to stay away from using the same tactic or FIFA-esque tactics such as running the ball up the middle. That being said, you’re still left to wonder sometimes at just how good those defenders can get.
In terms of other features, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 has at least reinstated the ability to save and record your replays. However, viewing them can be a pain, as the viewing angle is very restrictive and they’re cumbersome to access. The number of stadiums has been increased from eight to fifteen, but still down from thirty on the PS2 last year. On the Xbox 360, you can use the Live Vision camera to scan logos and faces, which can be used in-game. Otherwise, the feature list is virtually identical to what you had last year. That, and licenses are still barely present. Master League is still the bee’s knees and there are more leagues and teams on offer. Even though things such a media interviews have been added, you’ll need to play a dedicated manager to really get the most out of these kinds of things.
"Please, no questions about the hair".
While it may seem that we’re being a bit harsh here, we can take solace in the fact that the on-pitch gameplay is at least tip-top. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes with scoring, be it from whatever position on the field. Thankfully, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is much more lenient than its predecessor when it comes to actually scoring goals, so you’re unlikely to have so many scoreless games. At the same time though, you still have to work for every single goal that you want to score. The flow of the game is fairly organic, possibly more so than in previous games.
However, veteran players will notice the oddities that are present. As mentioned above, the manual dive is going to be extremely contentious among the community, though this isn’t really a deficiency. No, for some reason, things aren’t as sharp as in previous games. For example, the through pass at times doesn’t work well in this game. Whether or not is be because you need to be more discerning with it is one thing, but at the same time, it feels random with its functioning. A problem that is still present is that the opponent AI constantly tends to be more robust than your own, as they attack the ball much more.
The aspect that really stops Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 from excelling on the PS3 and Xbox 360 is the fact that the online mode is still gimped. Not only due to the lack of options, but the way it plays as well. Despite the fact that a patch was released recently, the game still lags and plays at an unacceptable pace. To its credit, at least when you’re on the attack, the game seems to play fine. However, when you’re in defense, the game is on the borderline of being unplayable. It’s quite perplexing to watch as the ball seems to teleport when in the opponent’s possession. While it’s not a disaster, as we were still able to win games and local ones played better, it’s an issue that really should be addressed. The development team really needs to get a handle on their networking technology, because the game itself is not that demanding.
Hmm... I've seen this guy before...
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is a bit disappointing in the visual department. While there is a leap from the PS2 versions of the game, it does at times struggle to fulfill the promises from the high-powered machines. In particular, the framerate struggles are at times embarrassing, particularly during replays and at one stage during a penalty kick, the framerate tanked to slideshow levels. That being said, aspects such as player animations, their transitions, ball physics and a general lively vibrance at least seem to be going in the right direction, though you could have said that last year. That, and a number of players retain their real life likeness. In terms of sound, there has been a change in the commentary box in John Champion and Mark Lawrenson, who may get repetitive quickly but at least they’re excitable. There is a much greater variety in the crowd noises (as subtle as they are) and the menu music is more varied and bearable.
Overall, it comes down to this. While Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 still remains the premier game of footy, it’s crying out for an evolution. There may be little out there that invokes the same feeling that comes with beating the keeper, and some will even consider this a better game than last year's. However, there really is little reason for you to consider the PS3 or Xbox 360 versions over the PS2 versions, if you have the choice. You’re essentially being forced to pay the “next-gen” premium for a game with less content and seemingly underdeveloped features that are supposed to set it apart. Dedicated fans are likely to be more forgiving, but this can only go on for so long. There is always next year (as there was last year), but FIFA IS catching up.
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