Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 PS3 Review

CommentOctober 23rd, 2009 19:50

TGL’s Shane Willoughby slips Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 into his Playstation 3 and feels sorry for all the other games that won’t be played as a result.

Poor old PES. You’ve had a rough ride of late, haven’t you? You used to be invincible. You used to make me feel loved. You used to make me want to greet you every evening after college with open arms and eager thumbs. You used have the liberty to be how you like, do what you like and treat me however the hell you want because you were ‘the one’. But something happened. You got stale, even a little boring. Sure I still loved you but I wasn’t ‘in love’ with you anymore. What happened eh?

It didn’t help that FIFA got better. FIFA played second fiddle to you for years but since PES 2008, frankly, FIFA was better. So what about PES 2010? Is it going to be a return to glories of yester year? Or am I going to continue to feel guilty but satisfied playing with my made over FIFA mistress?

First things first, don’t think I’m being shallow here folks but as a big football fan, it’s constantly disappointing to be greeted annually with unlicensed teams. WTF PES? C’mon, its 2010!!! How come I can’t play as Chelsea, Arsenal or Blackburn Rovers? That’s right. BLACKBURN BLOODY ROVERS! This is a disgrace. FIFA has everything fully licensed and every little innate detail included this year, as they have had for many years now. It’s just so deflating and disappointing to be greeted with just the pathetic county names they include for the unlicensed teams. Now I understand there’s probably licensing issues behind the scenes but at least tell me what’s going on. In terms of detailed aesthetics this PES fails harder than any other previous versions because, honestly, its 2010 and I’m sick of waiting for up to date teams and up to date team kits. Thank god then that it plays like a dream.

Now I’ve been harsh so far, but PES really does all the talking on the pitch. It can’t be about looks and thank god that’s the only real gripe I have with this title because Seabass and the boys over at Konami have refined the classic PES formula to create the best PES since it was introduced to this generation of consoles. This time out, PES feels important and much more realistic. Passing, a real thorn in my side in the last few editions, feels well, perfect. The players react excellently and are less clumsy and more astute and determined then they have been in many years. Goal keepers have come a long way also and set pieces and penalties are a lot more accurate this year. If you’re into glory hunting and individual skill, then Konami have thrown in some really nice animations and skills to wet your appetite. Dribbling, crossing and shot taking feel much more definitive and appear to have been brought back to the drawing board. All in all, the actual state of play is so much better than the last two years. It’s the beautiful game all over again. Not the lazy burnt out and pointless game it has been since 2008. Playing the game with a Dual Shock is in my opinion, the only way to play any PES title and it’s as satisfactory as ever this time out.

Online play is improved. Konami’s cumbersome ID system is abolished (thank god) and although games continue to lag in places it’s not half as frustrating as it used to be. Konami are also promising free online updates, patches and revisions. Are you listening FIFA? Free…..

Unlicensed teams are frustrating, but when PES does licensing, they do it well. This year they have exclusive deals with UEFA which includes UEFA Champions League and Europa League which looks like a really nice addition. This integrates with the Master league, which is as ever, the jewel in any PES enthusiast’s crown. The Master League here is worth the €60 admission price alone.

All in all it’s a resounding return to form for the PES franchise. It’s as addictive as ever. You know a game is good when you sulk when you lose, fire your Dual Shock at your mate and swear you’ll never play it again minutes before you decide that you’ll just play one more game. Mind you, I’m still concerned. PES warrants a dramatic evolution in my opinion. It still feels a little light. But its gameplay remains its sincerest strength. And that’s all that should matter. Just let me play as Blackburn Bloody Rovers next year or ill fire my Dual Shock at you.

[TGL SCORE 8/10]