K-project

Have to say, after a week or so of play (OK nearer 2 weeks), I'm a bit disappointed with this. I dunno why, but I just feel a bit let down after PES2008. I haven't played my favourite the Master League yet though, but I'm just finding play generally more fiddly than before. I feel like often when defending I'm clicking multiple players in the hope that one of them responds properly. There's still too many times when despite my input a player will run the ball out of the touch line when he was a country mile away. They still haven't fixed the really annoying ball watching that goes on when the ball's loose. They've added some layers that my poor multi tasking simply can't process too, such as the d-pad marking, and the tricks are impossible to do for me during the game. Although I still win, I don't feel like I have the finesse on the ball like I did with 08, plus I'm noticing that almost every goal is headed in from a cross. Hoping I can get a bit more time with it and get my head round some of the finer aspects. Otherwise, it'll be on eBay sadly.

Like I say I don't revere the GC game either. I liked it, and the graphics are just...wow. But as a game I just found it a bit of a pain. I've spent more quality time with Excite Truck than either F Zero GX or any of the Burnout games on the original Xbox. I'm not saying it's better than those games, just that I got more out of Excite Truck. Just my own feelings, and not a commentary on F Zero GX or the general opinions thereof. For me and our lot, it's a definite case of roll on ExciteBots. My youngest has just clocked Excite Truck on Excite mode altogether and is now on Super Excite. I have two tracks to go till I get there...

Really? I disagree personally. I liked F Zero GX very much, but felt the gameplay got very difficult very quickly. The story mode in particular was completely unapproachable for me. I did clock the arcade mode, but it was teeth gnashingly annoying, and I sold it afterwards. The story mode I just gave up on! In contrast I feel Excite Truck was much more easy going (and easy overall), and though I'm yet to beat the whole thing, I'll put the game on just to play it for fun. I rarely did that with F Zero GX. They're probably not really comparable games, but I drew the comparison from my own feelings anyway. I don't revere the GC game like many do though.

I have a feeling that all those people hankering for the return of F Zero won't be bothered about that anymore when this is released! I've been back on Excite Truck recently, and have to say I don't know why it doesn't feature in people's top game lists more. It really is a very fun and complete experience. Any game that is just fun to put on and play even when you may not even be any good at it is a triumph imho. It's just so incredibly rewarding to throw trucks around the screen. Simply playing it is its own reward, and how many games these days can you say that about? My only hope is they don't complicate the immense fun to be had simply racing about the place and winging through the air, with too many weapons and distractions. However, it looks to me as though this is really going to be something special. Can't wait.

Crikey this is going to have to be a budget release to get any interest. It's a tenner game at most imho. I used to have it years ago on the PS2, and while I kinda enjoyed the atmosphere, it's really let down down by some clumsy gameplay. I'm really surprised to hear they haven't even added in a widescreen option, or indeed anything else that might have justified the Wii release. Really, after watching the GameTrailers review above, it sounds like a disaster of a port and a completely unnecessary one at that. If you see it for £30, I would advise against the purchase personally.

Brilliant write-up Funktion. Like you I'm old enough to remember Sonic the Fighters etc, so I was less likely to be offended by this as a spin off game than most. However, I'm really glad I bought Mad World instead of this as a beat 'em up, especially as it's now £17.99. Of course they are different games really, but you get my point. At it's basic level, Judgement didn't look like that much fun as you say in your review, and you could tell as much from the videos etc. It's good to have a proper write up on the forums from someone who has spent considerable time with it to qualify my initial doubts! So thanks again for your great write up. I may pick it up if I see it for £7.99 or something, but even at a budget £18 it's hard to justify the purchase to myself.

Same here. Roll out the same old claims - "my Wii is gathering dust" etc, but for me the Wii is constantly plugged in and in use. Got loads I'm playing, and I love it to bits. Obviously, if we accept the "science" of this report, I'm very much in the minority.

Sorry, but I just don't agree. Video games and consoles, as they are at the moment, are just toys. You'll not find anyone in the industry in a position of importance willing to claim an artistic principle when making games. They are simply entertainment. They are in essence toys. Some games are dressed up to throw you off the scent, but at the end of the day they all involve simple play mechanics. Maybe some developers feel otherwise, but other the odd one or two as exceptions, I cannot think of many games I would consider as being "art". The potential is there to offer more, but it hasn't happened yet. That's a whole other debate though I reckon...

That looks absolutely fantastic! A definite must buy. They've really sexed up the graphics and gameplay from Excite Truck, which was already a pretty cool and underrated Wii game. The Bot characters and abilities look to be tremendous fun. Do we know when it's out?

Thank you. I was looking at this guy and going "who the feck is this"? He wasn't the creator of the game. Stupid internet.

Just picked it up myself for £16.99 off Gameplay. Can't wait, but I have to say I'd be fucking gutted if I'd paid full whack for this not two weeks ago. Glad I waited though. Looks a fantastic game, but seems to be dividing audiences. Nevertheless I'm really looking forward to it. I welcome a mental and blood-filled return of the scrolling beat 'em up!

I don't doubt it! I'm too cowardly to share my cack-handed skills with you all online. The graphics here actually remind me of ISS2 for the GameCube. Anyone remember that one? I kinda liked it at the time, and was a bit surprised when ISS3 turned out so poor. They canned the series after that to focus on PES solely, and I always thought that was a shame. ISS was a fine series, and would have made a great, more arcadey companion to PES.

Hey go easy on me! I just thought for a complete newb it would be a shame to spend a lot of money only to find you don't like the thing! Just thought it was a good idea to try out the cheaper alternative (I mean, let's face it, we're never going to get demos on the Wii are we?) see how you feel and perhaps upgrade if you like it. If you've got the money to spare then hey, don't let me stand in your way! :wink: For my part I'm absolutely loving the new game. I've upped the difficulty to four stars now and it's definitely improved the challenge.

Finally got this today. Played the veteran's tutorial (intercepting with the D-pad WTF??) and then had a few games against the CPU. Early impressions are really good, but I do agree with those of you who feel the graphics have taken a step back. There's no two ways about it; somehow it looks worse than last years game. I'm playing on a regular SD TV with an RGB cable, and I can see shimmering and jaggies. Rather than the comparisons between ISS 64 and 98, I'm rather reminded of the leap from PES2 to 3. Suddenly the graphics were a bit shimmery and jaggies were more apparent (which mostly stemmed from the PES team dropping the Criterion RenderWare engine for PES3) but there was no doubt about it - the game was a mile ahead. My first feelings are this could well be the case here too. The ball is much faster, and the players are satisfyingly more responsive and aware of the game. Free kicks are definitely improved, and I really like the little strength icon above the player when defending that gives you an idea of how strong the player will go in for a tackle. A lot of the improvements are not going to be noted if you're a newcomer, and I would recommend those new to PES Wii to seek out the older game on the cheap to start. The only thing I'm a bit disappointed with (other than the graphics) is the easy difficulty level. OK, I'm playing 3 stars at the moment, but I'm getting some crazy score lines. Hope things get a bit more challenging on the next 2 levels up. It's early days yet though. I agree with King_V when he says that it's very difficult to offer a proper opinion of this after such a short while, since it's clear there's a great deal new here. Think I'll need a week at least before I'm sure of how I feel about it.

That's right. It updates the kits and emblems to make them more accurate and current. They used to do one for the old Xbox PES games, and they were bloody good. I sincerely hope someone finds a way around the current lock out so we can use these files. I love PES regardless, but the files make it the perfect game imho.

Yeah that's what happened to me. I messed my online pre-order about and ended up hunting in the city centre for it at a comparative price to the internet. No joy, so I've re-ordered it yet again and should have it midweek too. I am a silly bast really. Surprised the high street weren't competitive with this release what with MadWorld being the same instore as online, but I guess they must have been sure of sales with PES. As for the option files, there's a beta going around the net of a potential option file update, but you need the Twilight hack to get it working. Sadly, if you've updated your Wii recently, you'll not be able to do it at all. I have to say though, that I'm pretty sure someone somewhere will come up with a good way of getting this file to work without the Twilight hack in future.

Nah not me! I quickly and slightly move him back the way, not forward towards goal. Always throws the other guy off.

I agree King_V, they could do more with the Wii graphics, but also like you I'm happy the game is so fantastic. PES has always been a "game first, graphics second" type of game. I really think Konami got their approach to the Wii bang on with this game. It's really a true look at how the Wii controls can properly improve and evolve a respected game. A truly great football game is massively important to me personally, and a lack of one can kill a console for me. Thank God then, that this is so right on the Wii. I've just been watching some videos of it on YouTube etc. Does anyone else here get annoyed like me watching other people play this? They never move players off the ball. It's the whole point of the Wii game! I'm always making sly fake runs and positioning players about the place. I love moving my forward just slightly away from his marker to get a killer pass etc. I also never see drag defending, which to me is essential to the game. I've not seen any of this in the gameplay videos I've seen about the place. Maybe I'm just a PES snob!

Funny you should mention ISS 98. I was just thinking yesterday how PES 2008 on the Wii reminded me of ISS 64. By that reckoning, PES 2009 should be the Wii equivalent of ISS 98, and I expect it will be for me. I put hours into PES 2008, and will be gnashing my teeth till the new game turns up on my doorstep! Would you say the graphics are actually worse this year then, King_V?

Yeah it's not a great game on the PC. Haven't played the PS3 game, but the PC FIFA is basically the years old usual FIFA but with some spiffy new graphics. It can be very nice looking at times (in spite of some terrible frame rate issues even on excellent hardware), but PES Wii is miles better, and I'm still playing last years game. I take your comment about the PS2 game's AI as well. You're right, and it's something you notice a lot when playing regular controller football games. The AI often lets you down when you need it. Someone's bound to come up with a new idea to solve this soon. I'm sure of it.

I'm not too fussed about the graphics, though I admit I would have liked to see a bit more of a jump from the last game. I've been playing FIFA 09 on the PC lately though, and while the graphics are way ahead of PES Wii, it's a country mile behind it as a game. PES might not pack the visual punch, but by crikey it's the better game all over, it really is. Still haven't got the new game though. My incessant faffing about on the internet has led me to be game free at the launch. My own dozy fault. Still, I should have it next week.

Does anyone know what the instore prices are for this in places like GAME, Gamestation, HMV etc. I've cancelled with Amazon and want to pick it up after work tomorrow. If it's £30 I'll get it, otherwise I'll wait for prices to drop. Cheers all.

I did go for free postage yeah. I didn't know they would make me wait if I pre-ordered it! Free delivery is available everywhere else from places like Play.com and The Hut, and they'd get it to me in time. I'm a bit annoyed about it tbh, and nearly cancelled the thing ten minutes ago to buy it from a store at launch. Ah well. At least I know to avoid Amazon in future.

F***ing Amazon. It hasn't been despatched yet, and it looks like I won't get it for the launch day. I'm really annoyed. They're estimating 31st March to 2nd April! Last time I pick them for a pre-order.

That IGN review says a lot of things that don't sound right to me. As though the reviewer has only had a passing relationship with the previous game. I cannot wait for this. My appreciation of the original game has skyrocketed of late, as I've been playing FIFA 09 with a regular controller on the PC. It might have better graphics, but boy does it feel like half a game next to PES on the Wii. The pointer controls are absolutely revolutionary for me, and are sublime in their execution. Positioning of players becomes a real art form in PES Wii. I do hope though, that they have taken a little of that burden off the player with some improved AI. Then again, after a year of the current game I might feel a little annoyed if they take that deeper player control away from me! I also would have liked a new commentary. The current one is years old, and it's time for a less stiff sounding update methinks. Either way, I'm seriously looking forward to this. Hope Amazon don't let me down with the pre-order!