Gamernode: Reviews - Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007

Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007

• Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution ...
• Nintendo DS
• Konami
• Konami
• February 07th, 2007

In our recent review of Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 for the PS2, we marveled at how fun a soccer game could be for those who were not familiar (or interested) in the sport. With the release of the console versions, Konami has decided to release the little screen version of the title for the Nintendo DS.

WE: PES/DS mimics the features and style of the full console version of the game and includes most of the same game modes; International Challenge and Master League are missing from the DS version.

Gameplay for WE:PES/DS is as easy to get into as falling off a log. You fire up the game and select a quick match, or enter one of the tournaments where you compete against multiple opponents from around the world. The control system for accomplishing your moves are mapped to the standard DS button configuration -- A,B and X take care of passing and defensive tactics, while the Y button is used for shooting the ball. Using combinations of button presses with the right shoulder button and d-pad gives you control over things such as ball trajectory, ball behavior, dashes, dribbling and juking out your opponents. There is a robust number of things you can do with your players with these commands and it is a little surprising at how many there are.

The upper half of the DS screen serves as the main area where the action takes place and general information while the lower screen is used to modify and select game functions related to the formation of teams, choosing game modes, player and game status and other features. During gameplay, you can make the lower portion act as a radar screen to see just where everyone is on the playing field. This is important as the small screen limits the area of the stadium you can actually see, and using the radar can help you to locate and identify who is downfield and available to take your passes.

Using the d-pad to control the motions and actions of your team members is adequate. Trying to pass a ball diagonally to another team member -- especially between opponents -- was sometimes hard to do, but after playing several tournaments or quick matches you'll be able to get your skills sharpened enough execute better passing attempts. The lower radar screen shows every team member as colored dots and using this display as a guide in passing actually worked. I was able to just use the lower screen in multiple passes downfield until the ball was in my opponents half. When action gets more intense, you view all the action back on the top screen. Running and passing to your virtual soccer team players is entertaining, and scoring a goal is satisfying. I wouldn't say this game is a good, accurate rendition of soccer, but it serves its purpose well as a casual game for the not-so-serious soccer fan.

If you don't have any calluses built up on your left thumb from playing lots of DS games, this will definitely start your way into being callous -- in more ways than one. Your thumbs will begin to throb and ache because of the intense use of the d-pad and button cluster, and a long session with this game will have you screaming for a bowl of ice for your raw digits. Your tendency will be to push harder on the d-pad then you really need to because your instinctive reaction to the slow moving players will be to apply more pressure in order to get them to move faster. In actuality, all you need to do is to push the right shoulder button to perform a dash. Your player moves faster, but on the small screen the effect is somewhat lost.

The AI of the game is not consistent. Some of the stronger teams play with mediocre skills while some of the very weak teams, such as Angola, play well beyond their low ranking. It's a confusing situation of not being able to figure out which teams are actually good, and it basically flushes the concept of building your own soccer team from scratch. If the stats are inaccurate, why try to assemble the best players based upon their statistics?

The DS version tries to mimic the editing features of the PS2 version and gives you the chance to create game formations and edit and remove players. Your "original team" can then be used to play in World Tour matches or online gameplay. As you win tournament rounds, you accumulate gold coins which then can be used to buy other players to add to your team. There's a little micromanagement here, and if you like this aspect of buying, trading and letting go of soccer players, this may fulfill your inner manager needs.

During gameplay, while the lower screen is set to the radar mode a conveniently large arrow is superimposed on the display, which points to the direction you should be going. At first I laughed at this feature, but I soon found myself often looking down to see which way the arrow was pointing in order to avoid scoring in my own goal. Since the screen is so small, you can easily become disoriented as to your home goal's position. Evidently, Konami also figured this out and added the big arrow for the directionally challenged.

Graphics are passable, but a little on the chunky side. There aren't a whole lot cutscenes in this game, but a nice feature of WE: PES/DS is the replay camera. After an attempted goal is made, the game goes into auto replay and you can adjust the camera angle and replay speed of your awesome goal attempts. Now, it's not Madden, but the effect is entertaining if not a little on the cheesy side.

Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 for the DS is a scaled down version of its big brother, scoring and missing on several fronts. While the gameplay is simple and fun, the lack of a consistent AI makes the team rankings superfluous. The game controls -- while accurate for the most part -- can cause you a lot of pain and suffering after some extended sessions with the title. Graphics are adequate but not mind boggling and the replay feature is amusing to use, but the sound is almost totally lacking. The game is an odd mixture of things done right and things done wrong. If you're looking for a fun, simple, casual game of soccer that is easy to learn -- and you can overlook some of the weaknesses in this title -- you may want to try this game out, or at least give it a rental. But if you're serious about your soccer and are looking forward to an accurate rendition of soccer teams and their skills, you may be disappointed, so go with the console versions instead..

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