Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

THE GOOD:
The latest installation into the Pro Evolution Soccer series has many good things about it. Firstly, I'll start with the graphics.

This years gameplay has been taken to a whole new level by graphical features. Even small details that you could barely notice still are in great detail. Many of the faces are done well including every little real life feature included. Licensed strips have been very well designed once again this year, the stadiums have been made well also.

The gameplay has been taken to a whole new level again. You now have the ability to dive and appeal for a penalty or a free kick depending on which area of the pitch you are in. The computer seems to make a lot more intelligent runs and passes as the difficulty rises, which makes the game seem a whole lot harder than the last installment. Set pieces are also becoming a common factor to score goals from this year. The chances of scoring from a corner a rising, and the computer has more of a chance to score a free kick in a goal scoring situation if the difficulty is high.

The edit mode is a lot more accurate this year. Next-gen consoles have the ability to scan a photo and come of with an almost deadly accurate face onto the game. This comes in very nicely when attempting to do a few player fixes which need a bit of editing to them.

THE BAD:
There are also many bad points to every game - no game is perfect.

To start with the bad points, I'll take a step in the direction of commentary. A big hype was created when the commentators were replaced, the hype simply failed to live up to the expectation. The commentary is slow and cannot keep up with the fast pace action of the game. The commentators also announce that the ball has gone in for a goal, when it has gone wide for a goal kick or a corner kick.

Refereeing decisions have also became a key talking point this year. In some cases, the slightest bit of contact to the player results in a red card. In real life terms, a would would probably have been committed and that is it. The refereeing really needs sorting out for next year.

As always, the lack of licensed teams for the English league is a problem. For the game to have a realistic feel to it, correct kits is a must. The amount of licensed kits is increasing each year, so at least that is a good sign for something to look forward to, lets just hope that pattern continues and in the future every kit is licensed.

SUMMARY:
Overall, it's an extremely fun football game with bags of entertainment for single play, or multiplayer. Some may say it's got worse than last year, some may say this years game is better. I'll leave it with you too make that decision.