Review: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS3 (version played), Xbox 360, PC, PS2, PSP, DS, Wii. KCET, Konami.)

So, the quintessential soccer game finally makes its proper next-gen debut, complete with graphical overhaul, gimmicky AI-Teamvision feature and a brand new commentary team. Do any of these changes make for a better game of football? Read on.

From playing a short demo of FIFA 08 a little while ago, we speculated that EA might be on the right track towards playing catch-up with Pro Evo in offering unparalleled pick-up-and-play football excellence. And while this is undoubtedly true-there's no denying that EA have outdone themselves with this years instalment-Pro Evo still manages to play a superior game. But only just: this year, more than ever, the gap between the two titles is closing. FIFA continues to deliver the most comprehensive set of licenses whilst PES still lags behind in terms of providing the same level of authenticity. However, PES has taken some positive steps in the right direction with the majority of names and kits accurately represented in the game. Yet the complete set of Premiership teams remains conspicuously absent with only Newcastle and Tottenham blessed with proper apparel. Best of all though, is the new commentary from Jon Champion and Match Of The Day stalwart Mark Lawrenson. Still awful when compared to the seamless match analysis featured in any EA or 2K sports title you'd care to mention, it's a vast improvement over the woeful, notoriously bad, nonsensical ravings from past PES outings.

There's also a far slicker, TV-style presentation implemented in PES 2008, which places the game ever nearer the real thing. Sadly, the replays are absolutely, irrevocably terrible. Serious issues with the game's frame-rate mar the usual celebration of great goals by transforming them into farcical, comic snippets that wouldn't look out of place in a Benny Hill show. Apparently, this problem only affects the PS3 version and Konami are supposedly beavering away on a patch to fix the appalling stuttering that plagues the replays.

Thankfully, the in-game frame-rate remains stable for the most part, only invading the proceedings when things get hectic. The only thing that you need to know about PES 2008 is that it still plays relatively smooth and intuitive with goal scoring remaining blissfully rewarding as ever. Still, there's the slight nagging feeling that for all its newly implemented features, such as the new adaptive Teamvision AI, shirt tugging and diving, this is still the same old PES only with added High Definition graphical sheen. While in the case of PES one could apply the old adage, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', here you can't help but feel that the game could have benefited from some extra development time as the finished product feels exactly the opposite. PES 2008 possesses an indefinable 'scrappy' unfinished quality exacerbated by the stuttering animation and the atmosphere-shattering bitmap crowds that cheer in mechanical unison. Visually, PES remains stellar despite noticeable issues. Player likenesses remain eerily lifelike, yet old graphical issues from last-gen PES titles such as occasional clipping and dodgy collision detection persist, but luckily don't conspire to break the game.

Despite a number of annoying niggles that could be fixed with a simple, downloadable update, PES remains the king of football games. Accessible, fun and great with friends, it's also a somewhat disappointing update as we've come to expect better from the series. Still sublime then, just not as sublime as past triumphs. A bit like Maradona then, except without the overeating and the drug abuse.

Score: 8/10

As a post-script, special mention should be made of the game's abhorrent soundtrack comprised of amateurish songs and instrumentals that should be locked in a vault and jettisoned into the deepest recesses of space. Turn off the BGM before you even think about playing the game: it's that bad.