Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is released today but after playing both the PS3 and 360 versions this week I'm - whisper it - pretty disappointed. On the pitch the game is as good - if perhaps a little *too* fast - as ever, but there are some real annoyances that have spoiled it for me so far. For a start the online is a mess. Laggy, lacking in options - still no co-op! - and generally anything but "next-gen". Admittedly I've only been playing against the relatively small number of players who had a pre-release copy but I doubt much will change today when the game officially launches.
There are other issues too. Slowdown is an issue when the penalty area gets crowded. This "feature" seemed to affect the PS3 version more than the 360 though. Juddery replays are across the board, mind. There are a pile of intrusive display ads too. Unless, of course, you think the likes of IGN or play.com splattered across your pre-match pages ads to the atmosphere. Oh and the graphics are disappointing too, with a vaguely cartoony look in places. Although the likenesses of the top players, particularly the way they "feel" when playing, remains streets ahead of FIFA. And thankfully so does the on-pitch action. Maybe it's a little too fast - FIFA is too slow, so can we get a happy medium next year? - and maybe the ball pings around the box just a little too excitedly. But PES still plays the better game. Just prepare to be frustrated by the off field activities. Played it yet then?
