January 30th, 2008 @ 12:16 am

PES 2008 DS - First Impressions

After getting  my hands on the DS version late last week WENB is here to give you some first impressions. The readers who listened to the podcast will already have got a quick insight to my thoughts of the game. Those who missed it, here I am!

In all honesty its a case of expectation. Would a hardcore version of PES really suit a handheld console that is primarily aimed at the younger demographic? Can the DS ever dream of handling graphics akin to its PSP/PS2 counterparts? No, and no…quite obviously.

So taking that into account I sit down with my DS looking forward to a very easy and stress-free PES experience…and that’s exactly what I get. Even from the start-up screen (where you have a cartoon drawn, over excited kid in footy gear with speech bubble as a ‘tour guide’), its all very fun and colourful. The option screens and colour tone are a country mile away from what fans have come to expect from the series. Catered for the market you say?

After selecting the exhibition mode I’m greeted with the very limiting team select screen. Whilst you get the same number of international teams as you do in the normal versions, the club teams have been severely depleted. Counting around 15 or so of them, I’m astounded by the lack of choice. Early version of the game? I sincerely hope so.

Selecting to play a Milan derby things take a turn for the good when the game starts. Gameplay has always been PES’s saving grace, and its certainly the same here. It might be too much saying its nostalgic, but I found myself smiling at the simplicity of the gameplay and how it was rewarding as ever. Many say ISS Pro 2 on the PSone was the pinnacle of the PES series, and after playing the DS version it reminded me why. It takes some getting used to mind. It took a few games getting used to the automatic one-two’s again, as did tackling and dribbling. What wasn’t hard to pick up was shooting. Pretty much every shot I hit on target was a goal, with the goalkeepers acting like part of the furniture rather than part of the family. This was the most disappointing element in what was on a whole a very enjoyable experience.

Regarding the graphics, I think it looks ok for the console that its on. Certainly the best looking footy game on the DS, but that’s not the hardest award to win. A nice little feature implemented into the game was the bottom screen being used as the radar. It was difficult to use as first as I’m used it being on the screen while playing, but seeing as it leaves the playing screen totally clear its a huge benefit for the playing experience. No touch screen elements though.

The game modes in the game are as you would expect. The arrival of world tour mode this year makes it to the handheld version, master league unfortunately is omitted. But then again it comes back to the first two questions in this preview. The DS is predominantly aimed at the younger audience. Sure, (nearly) everyone has a DS, but will hardcore PES gamers be buying the DS version as their primary fix? I doubt it.

Stay tuned for a review in the next few weeks. PES 2008 DS is released FEB 8th.

Yours

WENB