PES 2009 PC demo let down by controls
One of the traditions now associated with the coming of autumn is the release of two big football titles: FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer. As any fan of gaming will know, these two games go head to head each year, with PES usually coming out on top. The latest edition, PES 2009, will be a huge seller on the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3 consoles but how does it perform on the PC, a format notoriously unsuited to sports simulation games?
I’m not going to lie to you: the PES 2009 demo for PC isn’t exactly revolutionary when it comes to the old problem of porting console titles to Windows. All the old problems are there but the horrendously clunky controls (caused by lack of analog sticks) are the biggest barrier to enjoying what would, on the correct platform, be an enjoyable and well-designed game. Another weak point in the PES 2009 demo is the lack of any game options whatsoever. With no way of adjusting graphics, sound or controls, the demo has a very rigid feel to it. Sound controls in particular would be a welcome addition, if only they allowed you to turn off the awful music Konami has selected for the menu and intro pages, and the tinny, poorly rendered chants during the game.
After selecting Exhibition mode (the only option apart from Exit), you’re offered a choice of four clubs (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United) or two licensed national sides (France and Italy) to pit against each other. There follows the usual tactical options screen, a brief summary of the (insanely crappy) controls, and you’re straight into the action. The first thing we noticed about Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is that the graphics have been improved somewhat since last year’s edition - player models are smoother and more natural than previously, even if getting the players to go where you want is just as hard as ever.
Other improvements include the general AI of computer opponents and the physics of the game, though we’re only really talking about minor tweaks here.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is, in the end, a slight improvement on last year’s slightly disappointing release. On the PS3 and Xbox, it looks likely to lose this year’s contest as FIFA 09 has improved so much. On PC, and especially without a gamepad, its controls are so clunky and inaccurate that it’s as much of a waste of time as Civilization is on a console.
In all: PES 2009 is worth a try but not highly recommended on PC.
Posted at 6:08 am on Oct 5th
i dont think youve been playing pes for long enough. as most of the pes series, the options for all you have mentioned are available to you, just not ingame. there is a settings.exe application for a reason. as for controls, i think u need to purchase a control pad for your pc before you go out and create a naive review
Posted at 1:17 pm on Oct 5th
iv got both demos on pc and i think pro evo does look alot better and fifa has done nothing major since last year. i found the controls much easier to get used to than fifa i dont like your review to be honest.
Posted at 1:41 pm on Oct 5th
Terrible review get a control pad you get the pc feel to the game too which is somthing consoles can’t.
also when the game is here plenty of mods
Posted at 4:01 pm on Oct 5th
Hi,
I think you’re all right: a control pad is probably essential if you want to play PES on a PC. I’ve tried previous versions and I didn’t think this was much of an improvement… but my real point is that this is a game that’s best suited to consoles.
Whether you opt for Xbox 360 or Playstaion 3, the graphics, controls and multiplayer options will always be better. PES on PC is simply not as good.
That said, you’ll see we gave the demo 7/10. That’s not a bad score coming from us (we don’t just hand out 9/10 ratings) but it is a score that reflects what I feel are the game’s weaknesses, including the fact that it’s more or less unplayable if you don’t purchase extra hardware.
@duelcoot - yes, the mods are a strength that the PC editions has.
Thanks for your comments!
Posted at 5:17 pm on Oct 13th
“PES on PC is simply not as good.”
That is BS, if you’ve had any of the previous FULL versions, a decent graphics card and a brain to turn up the graphics settings then PES on PC is better than any alternative
Posted at 1:21 pm on Oct 15th
The PC version of FIFA 09 is not the same as the Xbox 360/PS3 version, sadly it is a PS2 port with higher resolution!
Posted at 7:06 pm on Oct 16th
If you compare pes08 and 09 you will notice that AI is the same. So what improvement we are talk about. Graphic? Come on. The core of the game is gameplay, realism and response time that is on 09 is worse than 08. It takes 0.5 sec to player response ??? No koment for more…
Posted at 11:23 pm on Oct 16th
The guy’s right about the controls. If you’re making a PC version, you can at least show the courtesy of giving an option to informatively change the controls, not show some lame pad with XAY buttons which mean nothing on the keyboard. Not to mention LB/RB etc. The gameplay is solid and pretty good, but you have to perform complex combinations with the arrows in order perform tricks, wtf is that? They SHOULD look at FIFA’s options and flat out steal it - you can’t make it any better and more intuitive than that. Customization options are needed - IN GAME.
Have you seen the afternoon gameplay? I boost my monitor’s options to max and it’s still dark as hell. What’s up with that?
As far as gameplay is concerned - PES destroys FIFA once again (on the PC at least). Tomorrow I’m awaiting the gamepad I purchased, specially for PES. Hope it was worth it.
Posted at 7:13 pm on Jan 14th
you can what you have to do is in you short cut right click and cick on setting and you can chane anything
Posted at 10:33 am on Mar 11th
i am disapointed of PES 2009. This game is the most bad game i have ever played. The controls stinks and cant make them on my own. The music sucks and Konami just made this PES to be played on joystick.
Posted at 11:43 am on Apr 15th
Well i must agree with Tom, with out buying a game pad the game controls are relay crapy..
1) The pass button is “X” and not “S”
2) The dash button is “E” - very hard to sprint and do pass/kick in the same time..
3) No explanation about the buttons when in defense.
Posted at 1:21 pm on Apr 24th
e nahpa
Posted at 6:54 pm on Apr 24th
How the hell am I supposed to change the controls?
I’ve got a xbox 360-controller, and there are just 8 keys I can change..
A B X Y LB RB and 2 other
But the “Start”-button and the “Back”-button arent able to be changed???
Can anyone help me, cuz its freakin irritating me if I want to sprint with the Start-button and then shoot with “B” :s
Posted at 1:32 pm on Apr 27th
Nevermind!
Changed them by opening the “Settings.exe”!
Posted at 12:04 pm on Jun 1st
Use settings.exe to customize your keyboard controls
Posted at 7:40 am on Jun 15th
Well, In my opinion PES like ever other pointless and time consuming soccer game SUCKS BALLS. Thank you for your attention.
Posted at 7:43 am on Jun 15th
That was an amazing and truly meaningful comment. Monkey Ass, you should become a writer. Your novels would be very successful.
Posted at 10:43 am on Jun 15th
@Monkey Ass/Uhhh… - why are you talking to yourself? Are you OK?
Posted at 4:23 pm on Jun 16th
Yes there are issue’s and yes there are workarounds.
The regular gamer will be annoyed.
The PES fans will blame the regular games for complaining since there is a workaround.
For me I’m a bit in the middle: Yes in the end I will find out how to play, will use the settings.exe and have google as my friend to find it all out.
But also the fact you have a PC game and they don’t even show a keyboard map when a match loads with what-is-what is lacking effort in porting it properly.
Just show the hints/tips for the controler used.
Keyboard? Fine show a keyboard where W is passing hard, A is shooting etc.
Just my 2 cents, off for a match.