Winning Eleven 9: Liveware Evolution Review

Imagine the gameplay of PES 5 minus fouls every 10 seconds. Imagine the graphics and kitserver functions of PES 6 PC version. And imagine a Korean guy yellling "Shooooooooooooo" every time you press the square button. The image now in your head is Winning Eleven 9: Liveware Evolution. It is the Korean version of Winning Eleven 9/PES 5 that was released months after those games hit the market. It was made for the PC only because everyone knows that Koreans are PC crazy.

I obtained this version after trolling the PES archives of best PES games ever made. This game was frequently mentioned. I had to try it out. And while I won't give my final verdict now, I will tell you that I was not disappointed.

Changes, Changes

What was apparent from the start was that it was tweaked version of PES 5. The gameplay was very similar but definite improvements are evident. First off, the glaring weakness of PES 5 was the overly frequent foul calls by the ref. That has been improved. They are still a little more frequent than PES 6 and the like, but it's manageable and avoidable with good defense(i.e don't hold down X the entire time). Also, the swerve on the ball seems more pronounced...in a good way. When you hit the ball on a Beckham corner, you can just feel the spin of the ball as curves across the screen. The game also feels smoother and more refined than PES 5.

The Look and Feel

Overall the game looks like an enhanced version of PES 5 and is almost to the level of visuals on PES 6 (PC). Maybe a few less animations than PES 6 and a slightly Asian feel, but not too much of a difference is noticeable.

What is great is that you can use Kitserver 5 to improve kits, balls, and stadiums. Though, unfortunately, kitserver support for PES 5 is dwindling. So I have not been able to update all kits as easily as I can on PES 6. Kitserver 5 is also not as stable as Kitserver 6, leading to more crashes.

Like on other versions, chants can be inserted for a more realistic feel. Korean announcers also are less annoying than the English guys in current versions of PES as well.

Overall, the atmosphere is not up PES 6 standards but it's close enough and the gameplay more than makes up for it.

Game Play

What can I say? Everyone knows I love the game play of PES 5. This is just a slightly enhanced version of the game play from PES 5/WE 9. But I will still go over the bullet points on what makes WE9:LE so great :

1. Maintaining possession of the ball is difficult but not impossible. I feel they nailed the possession factor in this game. You just can't run straight through a defender and expect to get by him. You have to vary your dribble speed, use a shimmy or two, or even attempt a trick to get free past a defender. And it feels so good once you get by a guy and get some empty space to work with. It gives you time to plan your next move or send a pinpoint pass where it needs to be.

This also makes passing all the more critical. Passing is the most important aspect of this game because long dribbling runs are realistically tough. This all factors into the buildup play which makes the game so great.

2. Attacking is much more varied and finding holes in the defense requires changes in attack patterns and patience. You can't do the same thing every time down the field. A certain player I know always says "It's too hard." Wahhhhh. Grow a pair and make something happen. I'm sorry you can't run into the corner and cut back every time down the pitch...just kidding, btw.

3. Getting good shots off is difficult but satisfying, which makes scoring a goal incredibly satisfying. A long shot outside of the box is an acceptable option. You won't get yelled at every time you take a shot from outside the box...ahem, you listening out there? But really, this game and the game it is based on has already given us so many great moments. ..unrivaled by any other version we have ever played. You have to admit that.

4. The release of tension after scoring a goal or even winning a game is unparalleled by any other Pro Evo. Again, I've heard that it's too hard too many times. To me that is fun. Beating the computer when we have no business beating the computer. Nothing beats beating the computer in WE9. Honestly, when I have the ball at the end of a tight game, my heart is pounding, trying to make something happen, and hoping that I don't screw up.

Overall, the gameplay just feels good. Difficult but not impossible. Quick passing, smart plays, some creativity. Individual brilliance may not be the norm, but when it happens, you know you earned it....which is the way it is in real soccer. Shots fly off the boot like a rocket when you hit right too...more so than in any other version. Also, the game flows better than PES 5 as the refs are not as whistle happy. Lastly, build-up play is crucial and adds to the simulation aspect of the game.

Final Verdict

This is my favorite version of Winning Eleven/Pro Evolution that I have ever played. Constant tension. Huge goals. Moments of pure brilliance. Long range bombs. Frustration and elation. Nothing beats it in my book.

95/100

New Comparison Coming

The 2 newest versions of PES will be added to the mix.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PS3)

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PS2)

New Best Pro Evo Review Coming

Recently I have been playing 2 different versions of Pro Evo or rather, Winning Eleven. They are:

Winning Eleven 9: Liveware Evolution (PC)

J League Winning Eleven 2007 Club Championship (PS2)

I will post my personal reviews of each game and then incorporate them into my overall rankings of "The Best Pro Evolution Soccer In My House".

The Best Pro Evolution Soccer in My House

by Dennis Cherry (April 15, 2008)

THE NOMINEES:

Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Winning Eleven 9 International) [PS2]
Pro Evolution Soccer 6 [PS2]
Pro Evolution Soccer 6 [PC]
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 [PS3]
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 [PS2]

This is an semi-biased comparison of every copy of PES I have sitting at home. PES has become an unhealthy obsession and this is a total overanalysis, but what the hell. The first thing I must say is that I think every version is fun to play. I'm just trying to figure out what game is the best and provides the best and most intense soccer experience. When I went to Arizona in February, I played PES 6 on my PC after months of playing the PS3 version. I thought at that time it felt better to play than the PS3 version. When I got home, I got out all the versions and have been testing them when I have time. I played a couple of games of each this morning just to be fresh on each one. So here it goes:

OVERVIEW

PES 5 (Winning Eleven 9)



This is the version we played in Florida and really got us hooked on PES. We did have previous experience with PES 2, 3, and 4 in California. There were known as Winning Eleven 6, 7, and 8. That's when we'd created super players because we sucked so badly. "Jesus" will always be a memorable player in our PES history. But with PES 5 we wanted a more realistic experience and we knew a lot of the players because of the World Cup. This game brought you together after your sidewalk fight outside a Florida hotel. The thing about this game was that it was really difficult to score, at least at that time. Is that still the case? Read on and find out. The first thing I noticed when I fired it back up was that we didn't know any moves when we played. I tried a lot of the moves we know now and they work to give you free space like we never had back then. In fact, that may be the only way to get any free space at all.

PES 6 [PS2 and PC]



Billy and I first played this version when I "obtained" the French PS2 version 1 month prior to release. We won our first cup at a Redskins - Eagles game later that year. And then a memorable bachelor party run ended in victory for AC Milan. It's also the first version that I patched to get real life chants, balls, adboards, and stadiums. We moved on to the PC version when I got my laptop in May 2007. With that we got advanced graphics, hundreds of balls and stadiums, and 8-10 uniforms for every major team.

PES 2008 [PS3 and PS2]

PS3



PS2

The PS3 version is the reason I bought my PS3. We first played it at Bob's one weekend at the beginning of November 2007. The HD graphics and the "improved" control was an instant hit with everyone. At first it was difficult to adapt, but we learned how to score quickly and have become good at advancing pretty far in every tournament we play. I "obtained" the PS2 version of PES 2008 for Billy's trip to Canada on New Years. From what I hear, it may have saved the the trip. This is also the PS2 version Billy and I tried around Easter at his place.


THE RANKINGS

OVERALL GRAPHICS
-This is a difficult catergory to judge, as we're working with three different systems. But I'll give it a try.

1. PES 2008 [PS3]
2. PES 6 [PC]
3. PES 5 [PS2]
4. PES 6 [PS2]
5. PES 2008 [PS2]

The PS3 graphics are in HD. It's hard to beat that. Though the graphics on the PC version of PES 6 are very impressive. On a standard definition television PES 6 and PES 5 on the PS2 look really good. PES 2008 pretty much looks like crap on any tv. The graphics are washed out and grainy and the players have really weird faces and shoulders.


GRAPHICAL REALISM
- Just because it looks good doesn't mean it looks real. This takes realism into account.

1. PES 6 [PC]
2. PES 5 [PS2]
3. PES 6 [PS2]
4. PES 2008 [PS3]
5. PES 2008 [PS2]

I rated the PC version this high because everything just looks so damn realistic. From the hundreds of real life stadiums, to the balls, to the nets and to the grass. And player models are just spot on, especially from the gameplay angle we use. Ronaldinho has the body shape of his real life body. PES 6 on PS2 looks real as well, but in all aspsects is slightly below it's PC counterpart. I even think PES 5 looks slightly more real than the PS3 one. The PS3 version looks really good in HD. But the players are tall and lanky. They run with a weird straight up style. Their shorts are really long looking. And the nets are too floppy. It's almost as if you can see every little detail and the imperfections really stand out. They just have to rework the graphical model a little in PES 2009. And PES 2008 on the PS2 still looks like crap.


ATMOSPHERE
-Chants, crowd noise, just the overall feeling in the stadium when playing a game.

1. PES 6 [PC]
2. PES 6 [PS2]
3. PES 5 [PS2]
4. PES 2008 [PS3]
5. PES 2008 [PS2]

Well of course atmosphere has to go to the PC version. Great chants, FIFA announcers, great crowd noise, and good looking stadiums where the fans are really close to the pitch. PES 6 on PS2 has all the sounds down and the great adboards add to the atmosphere. PS3 get points for just looking good overall, even if the chants and crowd noise are lacking.


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
-How well can the computer break your defense down and can it defend you on a break?

1. PES 6 [PS2/PC] - Tie
3. PES 5 [PS2]
4. PES 2008 [PS3]
5. PES 2008 [PS2]

This category is a very tough call. They are all very similar but different in various aspects of the game. PES 6 has a good balance of offensive and defensive AI. It's tough to break them down for an easy goal and they can score in intelligent ways. PES 5 computer plays a very defensive game, cutting your entry into the corner or into the box off very well....very well indeed. You really have to work hard to break the defense down in PES 5, though it is possible. And we are all familiar with the God Mode that the computer will go into at times. This is more evident in PES 2008 and PES 6. While it might be there in PES 5, it's not as extreme. The computer pretty much just plays tough all the time. The defensive AI in PES 2008 on the PS3 is pretty bad in my opinion. I think it may be a tad too easy to score goals.


GAMEPLAY
-How does it feel to play? How good is the control? How fun is the game?

1. PES 6 [PC]
2. PES 6 [PS2]
3. PES 5 [PS2]
4. PES 2008 [PS3]
5. PES 2008 [PS2]

The most responsive controls go to the PS3 version, but on the whole I think that PES 6 and PES 5 on are just more fun to play. Scoring is difficult. Even getting into position to score is hard. But finally scoring that goal is soooo satisfying. When you score 2-3 goals in almost every PS3 game, it takes away from the excitement of scoring a goal. The games may be close, but only because the computer will go into God Mode and score at will.


THRILL OF SCORING
How good does it feel to see the ball hit the back of the net?

1. PES 5 [PS2]
2. PES 6 [PC]
3. PES 6 [PS2]
4. PES 2008 [PS3]
5. PES 2008 [PS2]

PES 5 is #1 and it's not close. Even this morning, when I finally scored a goal I jumped up. It's just an extreme, intense battle to find room to shoot and score. The computer closes you down at every angle. You have to be so focused the entire game. You have to take advantage of every possesion because you need that one more chance to try to break down the computer. If you guys forget how good it feels to score against the computer in this game...we gotta make another run with PES 5. So to answer the question from above: It's just as hard to score as when we played in Florida. I can see why Billy ran out into the hallway and celebrated like a maniac after scoring with Ronaldinho in the middle of the night. PES 6 is almost as difficult but it is maybe just a touch easier to get one by the keeper. Shot control is a little better. The thrill of scoring is still there though. I scored on a scorcher with Adriano this morning in the 88th minute to tie 1-1 and it felt amazing. I think PES 2008 has become a little too goal happy...while it still feels good to score...the release of tension after finally breaking down the computer to score just isn't there like PES 5 and PES 6. To me, PES 5 is just that. The game is just a constant buildup of tension and then an explosion of emotion once that ball goes into the net.


OVERALL GAME RANKINGS

1. PES 6 [PC]
2. PES 5 [PS2]
3. PES 6 [PS2]
4. PES 2008 [PS2]
5. PES 2008 [PS3]

PES 6 on the PC takes the overall crown due to great control, great atmosphere, balanced gameplay, and overall fun factor.

PES 5, my personal favorite, is a close second. It may be just a touch too defensive and the atmosphere won't be there until I get the chants inserted. The feeling when scoring a goal is second to none. Another thing about the game I wanted to mention is that the refs are strict. You can't charge into players with the X button. You gotta play back and wait for a chance to steal.

PES 6 on the PS2 comes in third mainly due to the lack of really good graphics and the cutback goal, which I find more prevalent in this version than the PC version.

PES 2008 on the PS2 is still a fun game as well but when you compare it to the others it just doesn't measure up. I don't think we'd ever choose it over any of the above games. The graphics are grainy. The players shoulders are really weird looking. It's great for a cold weekend in Canada, but when you have other options, you should take them

PES 2008 on the PS3 is a fun game but it's just missing something that all previous Pro Evo's had. It's just once you get past the HD graphics, I feel the other games are just a better and more intense soccer gaming experience. If high quality graphics are your thing, this may be your game. The controls are very responsive as well. I just don't think the computer defends the ball well enough.

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