Let's face it the annual PES vs FIFA battle is even more predictable and dull than the Premiership. Everyone knows that FIFA will be polished and sexy but ultimately come second to the on pitch beauty of PES. But could this year finally see the tide turning in FIFA's favour?
I'm a card carrying member of the PES Appreciation Society but last year was the first time I seriously considered switching to FIFA. PES 2008 was *still* more fun to play - the trademark delay between button press and on-screen action was still present in FIFA '08 and players generally never felt 100% under control - but the laggy and basic online modes were a a real problem for Konami's game. FIFA '08 may have lacked on the pitch but the online options (leagues, 5vs5) and the play-as-one-player-on-a-team Be a Pro mode meant I spent more time on a FIFA game than I had for years. In fact, for the first time since Matt Le Tissier was the world's greatest footballer I'm officially excited about the next FIFA game. Konami, perhaps realising that the tide is turning, have apparently "pulled out all the stops" for PES 2009. Let's hope that translates to "fixing the godawful online play". Anyway, from today's press release:
"We have pulled out all the stops to make PES 2009 a landmark in footballing games," commented Jon Murphy, PES Project Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. "From the most basic controls, through to the wide-ranging additions to game modes such as "Become a Legend", all-new visuals, sound, and the Edit mode, Seabass and his team have strived to cram as much as they can into the new game. And with more online announcements to follow, there is every reason to believe that PES 2009 is the football game everyone has been waiting for."
Let's hope so. Any other PES diehards feeling the pull of FIFA 09?
