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The International Superstar Soccer
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Winning Eleven 8
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The International Superstar Soccer
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Winning Eleven 8
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15/09/04
It's the only football game that makes us cheer, cry and jump for joy, in that order, confesses PSM2
For the uninitiated, WE8 is a taste of how PES4 will look (and play) when it's released in the UK. There's usually a two month delay between the release of WE and PES, where the developers pick out any small flaws before the European release. This is the eighth in the much-lauded WE series, and - as always - it renders the last game redundant (well, almost - more later), with more realistic ball physics, player control and general brilliance. Although WE8 is the closest thing to (dare we say it?) perfection, let's kick off with -shudder - the flaws. First and foremost, WE8 suffers from juddery frame rates during frantic goal mouth scrambles and set-pieces. Thankfully, KCET have stressed (as always) that PES4 will not suffer the same fate, which means it should be glitch-free. As veterans of the series will have guessed, the majority of WE8's squads, kits and team names will need editing. But, if you're happy playing with McCresta U (Man Utd) in a generic red kit then that's your prerogative. We, on the other hand, compulsively take the time to edit every minor detail - heck, WE8 even lets you edit the sponsors logo - to get our favourite teams as close to perfect as possible. Compared to the 'perfect from the start' FIFA licensing this will stike some as being a little shabby.
From the moment you set eyes on the revamped menus though, you'll appreciate the lengths to which KCET have gone to make them more attractive. They're laden with illustrative icons for effortless navigation by non-Japanese speakers. The polish extends to the pitch. From holding X and sending a worm-burning pass across the entire width, to accurately double tapping O for a Beckham-esque whipped cross, you'll never want to play PES3 or WE7 again (well -see later). The amazingly fluid animations make WE8's forebears seem arthritic. Even the way Zidane swivels his 360°s feels more responsive.
The sometimes-weak passing system from WE7 and PES3 has been completely overhauled. Remember those lacklustre through-balls, or the rigid one-touch passing that gave the ball away too often? In their place is a robust new control system which lets you pull off spectacularly accurate lofted passes thanks to the power gauge control assigned to the L1 and Triangle through ball. The sight of Bergkamp pinging a lobbed pass over Chelsea's defence to meet Henry is enough to prompt choruses of "did you just see that?" smugitude. Pure flow-etry in motion. You can break the opposition down more methodically with patient approach play, due to the slickness of X passes (hold the button longer to auto-pass further).
Even flicking the ball, with first touch nonchalance across your back four displays a staggering repertoire of new passing motions. WE8 players use similar passing animations to their WE predecessors - save the frequent outside of the boot flicks - but now they can even use their chest to lay off a one-two. And if you thought that was good, you'll love the control you have over the power of through-balls. Build-up play's so satisfying, it's tempting to save general play to memory card. Not just goals. Yep, it's that good.
Scoring is slightly more difficult - though no less riveting - thanks to the new build up meter, with shots taking longer to charge. But don't fear, because it gives you an increased amount of control. Your first few shots may sail high and wide, but after a while you'll be bulging the net with Bobby Carlos pile drivers, and even latching onto loose balls to fire home real screamers. The character animations perfectly mimic real player attributes. Gawp in awe as Van Nistlerooy receives a pass on his knee, before swivelling on a six-pence and lashing a volley into the top corner in one continuous motion. Even the shrunken frame of Owen can now sprint convincingly past lagging defenders, (like he did against the Argies at World Cup '98) before a precise touch of Square slots a trademark curling effort into the onion bag. Player dimensions are so accurate, that if a player of Owen's stature runs straight into the muscular physique of someone like Jaap Stam he'll be on his ass in seconds. Just like real life.
The on-screen ref adds atmosphere, running in to break up scuffles and bustling around midfield. He's not without problems, mind - on one occasion, our crossed ball hit the ref and deflected over the goal line... causing the bugger to give a goal kick. The Master League is much improved -now you can search specifically for players like 'speedsters' and 'playmakers' - but the Jap text is inpenetrable. The lay-off free kick system is flexible, shaming the predictable set pieces of PES3 (i.e. cheap short pass or direct shot).
Why only 92% Well, what choice do we have if KCET keep on improving their series? Theoretically, by the time WE12 arrives we'd have to give it 101%, and that'd just be plain stupid. There's also the small matter of the impenetrable Japanese menus and the fact that it'll cost you about a hundred pounds to import the game and buy a chipped PS2 to play it. Some hardcore players on the PES forums even claim the new edition feels stilted and too deliberate - only one member of PSM2 agrees - but it's just the shock of relearning the game.
Judged on gameplay alone, WE8 is so superior to any footy game on the planet (except, perhaps, WE7 International) that we'd need at least four more pages to dissect it into each fantastical component. WE8 is the closest depiction of real life football you'll find... to date. It's the champion that all other developers have tried to create, and failed. The guys at KCET have again delivered a soccer fan's dream. And with the promise of an up-to-date roster, revised commentary and no slow-down for the UK PES4, you can be confident that it'll be still the galactico PS2 experience leaving lesser games trailing in its wake.
Winning Eleven 8 is out on import now. It's European counterpart, Pro Evolution Soccer 4 is out on PS2 in October
Overall: 92%
The passing revamp is a revelation. After the debacle of PES3/WE7, enough reason to buy this game alone.
