pro evolution 2 review

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By Whetto. on 28th Oct 2002

Whetto.'s Ratings

Value for money	0/10
Overall value	1/10
Whetto.'s recommendation

Good Points

More Stadiums, edit facility

Bad Points

Everthing else

General Comments

Firstly...the game play. I think different rather than improved. They have sorted out some of the old bugs but surprisingly they've introduced a whole load of new ones. In some instances you still overrun and stand still and perhaps most annoyingly the players simply stop runnning or change man unexpectedly. Scoring is harder but more formulaic, already I found at least three places in and around the box that if you shoot from it will go in ...everytime. There is less invention, far less opportunity for flowing moves and crossing is too ineffective.
Tackling has been made virtually impossible, sure if you stand in front of the man there is a good chance you'll win the ball but press slide tackle and you are asking for trouble.(foul almost everytime) Press block tackle and your man will stop still while your opponent runs off in the opposite direction.???

Secondly...options. Rather than improve or change the options menus, they've just made more of them, still poor looking graphics and music. In fact the schedule information is far worse than the old version.

Finally and this is the worst of all, in Pro Evo 1 some teams were given stupid names (no doubt due to licensing) like Arsenal being called London or Juventus being called Piemonte. Well they've added a load of new teams on this one and guess what....they've all got stupid names. So Aston Villa are bizarrely called Dublin, Parma are called Marche and Liverpool are called...wait for it Eurosport?????
In itself this is not so bad as Konomi have added a much greater ability to edit the game(the only good thing in this version) so you can change team names to what they should be. But the new in game commentry (average at best) keeps calling the teams by their stupid names. It drives you mad.
Also as with the old game alot of players have similar names that you can change, like Facu and Larcos. This is no big deal but the dutch players are called names like Oranges 012 and so on and to add insult to injury it's out of date. Example, Marco Di Vio who moved from Parma to Juventus in the summer is still at Parma and so on. That's just poor.

In summary then, Pro Evo 2 is a huge, huge let down. Especially as we were all really looking forward to this new version and as the last game, with all it's faults, was brilliant we imagined that Konomi would simply improve. Alas after 2 days hard playing I have to say it's a step backwards. It feels unfinished and rushed, not tested properly and apart from the edit facility and the additional stadiums it isn't a patch on game one. I hate to say it boys but I'm going back to FIFA, yes it's that bad.

24 Comments on Review by Whetto. for Pro Evolution 2 for PS2

1. Aw200. on 30th Oct 2002

   A great review. Well done for taking the time to write such an informative review. The review is quite simply brutal and honest. I am a lover of the game but I am finally very happy to see someone has spoke up about the extremely negative points in this game. Whilst it is easy to ignore the points stated it is also extremely frustrating and annoying that there are so many errors and bugs in the new game the main one being the Holland team players called orange 1,2,3 etc. Whilst fans of the game like myself and journalists praise the game one must stop and think whether or not this game has just become a good money spinner for Konami. It is totally unacceptable to have so many bugs in a "new" game and yet still everyone thinks it is great!! Anyway thank you very much for a great review!

2. whetto. on 31st Oct 2002

   In addition to what I said before I discussed this with a few friends who are also on the same tip. We decided to do an honest comparrison. So I went out and picked up Fifa 03. I've played them both for 2 days each. In summary Fifa is slick, great stadium graphics, players and commentry are really good. Music is nice and options are fine. But it is boring and the game play is simply not as good as Pro Evo. In fact playing Fifa for a while then playing Pro-Evo you realise just how much better Pro-Evo game play really is. After one season on Fifa your asking so what next. The answer....not much. What's worse is that you don't win any money at the end of the season to strengthen your team with. No edit facility to speak of and there is this really annoying delay when scrolling through menus. I still stand by my review of Pro-Evo above it has tons of faults which are made worse by the fact that most of them could have been avoided. As I've said before it feels rushed out. Lazy team data, average commentry, rubbish options screens, that stupid oranges 012 rubbish and those team names, oh my god it drives me round the bend. But the game play is still better than fifa. Has it's moments but is good. It'll take us forever to work out the new tackling aspect but its better. I read on this web-site that 'This Is Football' is better than either of them. Shall we try that to? I would like a response from Konomi about the rushed and lazy aspects. Will try any way.

3. tconanuk. on 1st Nov 2002

   I couldnt agree LESS. All thou the game has some faults and isn't as bigger improvement as one might have expected its still by far the best football game ever made. FIFA JUST ISN'T IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS ISS. Ok its a shame they havent got real names and the clubs have daft names but, if bothers you that much, JUST CHANGE THEM! If you give ISS PRO EVO 2 such a bad review I dread to see what a truely poor game gets!

4. Aw200. on 4th Nov 2002

   With regards to your comment (tconanuk) I think you are totally missing the point. No one is doubting or questioning ISS's superiority over every other football game. The problem lies with lack of finishing the product. Considering how much of a following the ISS Franchise has and the amount of money Konami has one would at least expect the bugs and wrong names to be ironed out. Do they not have anyone test it before it hits the shops? Surely someone who works there must have thought this is poor, it will take x amount of days to change it so lets do it. Would you be impressed if you opened a Xmas present that was rapped really well, felt heavy, looked good but in fact was an another nice comfy, familiar, pair of warm socks? It is also not necessarily the game itself that gets a poor review it is just everything else around it. The menus are awful. The music after you have scored when you are shown a replay and of course the wrong names!! Plus there is the irritating tackle system. You should go back and play ISS Pro 1 and then tell me what a great leap this game has got over the new one. Apart from stadium and the new 3 divisions plus the transfer market, the actual game when playing has far more bugs then it's predecessor. Surely you expected more from the game. I at least was expecting a much better all round game. Plus some people cannot be asked to change the names of players and teams etc especially when Peter Brackley still says the wrong name in his commentary, what is the point of wasting your life doing that then?

5. Simon. on 5th Nov 2002

   I have just read the biggest load of rubbish in my life. Pro Eve 2 is a great game. If you say that you can not play flowing football - maybe you're just no good at it??? I always create flowing football and one two's, it takes practice - but its very good! Change the names - turn the commentary off and enjoy. If that is all you have to moan about then...... don't. Its class and although FIFA has good commentary - its not that great! Ally McCoist? Why? And lets face it - Motson is poor. At the end of the day, KONAMI cannot do anything about the names etc...Becasue they don't have the licenses! They are up for grabs in 2 years. Until then get it right guys.

6. stevo123. on 6th Nov 2002

   You are talking pure and utter rubbish,You are the first person I have heard bad mouthing this game and im sure u will be the last.

7. tconanuk. on 7th Nov 2002

   I agree with the original point in respect that the game could be so much better. Had they spent the extra time ironing out the few bugs and made the menu bars more attractive, and that stupid music at goal celebration should never have been put on! But at this moment in time its the best football game out and until another title comes out to match ISS in terms of overall playability, then ISS deserves respect!

8. whetto. on 8th Nov 2002

   Gentlemen, gentlemen. Far be it for me to cause an arguement here and perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I like Pro Evo, it's a great footy game, no doubt it's the best around. My gripe is with it's finishing, it's testing etc. I and the people I play with are all long time players but we had expected more because the first game was so good. In fact out of the group of people I play with I think I'm in the middle of opinion. In addition, you may be interested to know that since my first post I've actually found a way to change the commentry so Peter Brackely calls the teams by their right names which has made a difference and of course I can ignore the little bugs in the game and the lazy data. I do so everyday. I'm just offering an opinion wishing the game should have been even better with just a little more tlc in testing. My ranking it low value for money and comment about flowing football is based on it's relative lack of progress since game one not that the gameplay is bad. Nor am I, as it would seem with some replies, spilling your proverbial Pro Evolution pint. Ley me know if you need to change the commentry, I think you can e-mail directly through this thing.

9. Aw200. on 8th Nov 2002

   Just to add to the point above. Apart from the gameplay which again no one disputes, if the other parts of the game were that good why are Action Replay offering a product called Ultimate Update for Pro Evolution Soccer 2?? Find out what the product does and then tell me that other people do not agree that ISS falls short in trying to become a "complete game"!!! In the mean time though Whetto, I would love to know how to change the commentary please let us know.

10. whetto. on 8th Nov 2002

    Right, Go to Konomi-Umbro Cup. Play it with a club side. Win It. Once you've won you'll get a message saying you can edit the commmentry. Go to the edit lists. Go to edit club team. A new option will be added on each team sheet. It says edit commentry. Go into it and you'll be given a whole list of names. You can edit away. Not all are there but most and more besides so you can get creative. Now this is more like it. Can't find an unlock for all the Oranges nonsense yet but will keep trying. Good luck. Tell me more about the update.

11. Aw200. on 8th Nov 2002

    Cool. Now I will have to stop playing the Master league and play a cup competition. Paste the url below into your browser and you should find all of the info there. The only downside is that it is only english sides but hey at least someone has tried. http://www.playserver4.com/play247.asp?page=title&r=PS2&title=110077. You can also go to their website direct:http://www.codejunkies.com

12. Moreeko. on 20th Nov 2002

    After having read all of the above, i.e the review and the comments made about the review I felt compelled to write something myself. Having only just purchased a ps2 and not played an iss game since the dodgy jap copy 'goal storm' which was the 1st iss pro i must say that the reviewer here has got it spot on. The commentary is very poor, even with both guys talking over each other. It is impossible to slide tackle without a free kick being given, but more often than not receiving a caution, or being sent off. The licensing does not bother me too much, i.e orange 01,02 etc, but really, for this to be the latest installment of this great series is a bit of a shame. As the reviewer says, it does not feel polished and had they taken the x minutes to test play it, then Konami would have recognised this also. However, it appears that money talks, and the fact that nearly everyone I know favours iss over fifa means that sadly next time we can expect the same thing - a re-hash that is somewhat untidy but still keeps most of the great formula that made it a success.

13. Matt. on 3rd Dec 2002

    Deary me. Aren't we getting our knickers in a twist . If you want poor unrealistic game play embellished with faboulous graphics and crowd effects then buy any of the FIFA series and after you have paid £39.99 and had it for 2 days , wonder why you didn't but Pro Evo 2 . Sure it has a few minor niggles all of which do nothing to stop the game from being by far the best out there . And if you give it time you will find , like me and 14 of my mates who all have the game , that the game is a vast improvement on the 1st installment . If you think the slide tackle is no good then you are just not a good enough player and should stick to playing for Worksop Town rather than Real Madrid . Get more practice and give it time. This game does not just serve it up on a plate for you , you have to beg and beg and beg . Konami could not use the Dutch names due to the Dutch FA throwing its teddy out of the cot and not allowing Konami to use the Dutch players names, not really Konami's fault . Oh and just a quick note to the guy who said that all Konami will do is just keep tweaking the game and re-releasing , why not , EA have been doing that for the last 12 years and Konamihas a much better game to tweak .

14. Harry. on 4th Dec 2002

    What a load of rubbish! The ones having a go at this game sound like the little childish kids at school who are impressed by the right names, stadiums and will usually talk about "the great way the net bulges" to their mates and so on. If you want that then buy FIFA, if you want gameplay and a real game of football then buy ISS. FIFA is for kids and ISS is for mature grown up audiences who understand the game and buy games for gameplay and not graphics/names/stadiums etc. ROCK ON KONAMI!

15. cheifwhat. on 6th Dec 2002

    The golden age of footy games was sensible soccer and kick off 2. They set standards as regards gameplay and options that current developers seem to have totally ignored. I wont go into it too much as i'll asume you've heard of the games (ask me and ill explain the featues if you haven't). I agree with the critisisms above, ISS Pro IS the best footy game around at the moment its just that it could and SHOULD be much much better. After all, if you could cram virtualy every profesional league in the world and play them(pick any team) into a comodore amiga, how hard can it be on a ps2?. The problem is really that the competition isnt up to much. Sensible and kick off were made by people who LOVED football. That showed in their product.

16. ian. on 3rd Mar 2003

    pro evo2 is by far the most complete football game on the market today and certainly my favourite piece of software ever.

17. meharibo. on 25th Mar 2003

    Ive been surfing the net for some time now in an attempt to find the real team names for the club sides in Pro Evolution. During my travels I came across a surprisingly large number of poor reviews condeming ProEvo 2. I am now becoming quite annoyed with them and feel I must express my sincere disagreement. I was a huge fan of the first game (which I would still play regularly today if it wasn't for the sequel) and am an even bigger supporter of the second. How this game can disappoint anyone is boyond belief. The graphics are simple yet effective, the gameplay is as smooth and realistic as ever and the new Master League format has added a new, more exciting dimension to the game. Every other football simulation I have played feels literally years behind the ProEvo series. Those who point out the relatively minor flaws of the game (of which I accept there are) are merely clutching at straws and are overlooking the big picture - this game has lastability like virtually no other. Those of you who have friends should seriously consider investing in a couple of multitaps because, and I know from experience, this game actually becomes more exciting than actually supporting your team at a local derby! Whilst the likes of Vice City, Metal Gear Solid and yes, even the almighty FIFA, will all be resting on your shelf gathering dust, ProEvo 2 will still be resting neatly inside your PS2 waiting eagerly to kick into action.

18. Matt. on 28th May 2003

    If all you're bothered about is the look of the game, then buy FIFA - not to mention the annual updates each year (plus world/euro cup editions and whenever EA want more cash from suckers who don't know any better) but still have the same game.
    
    However, if you want to play a game with depth and get a true sense of satisfaction from scoring (not with endless overhead kicks) then get Pro Evolution 2.
    
    Buy an "Ultimate Update" for it if you really have to to correct the players' and teams' names and then spend some time playing the game and you might see why it's extremely popular - despite the lack of some licences.
    
    You can't judge a game by its cover.

19. aw2000. on 30th May 2003

    Out of interest, why is it, that if you say something negative about any ISS Pro game all of the replies, are why don't you go play Fifa?
    
    Most people or at least the people who have contributed negatively on the above thread do not necessarily want to play Fifa or even own it. They are fully aware that ISS is superior in terms of gameplay etc. Your cliché comments about playing Fifa are pathetic and are not actually contributing to the argument stated above you are obviously not reading the comments above and are clearly fooled by a game that hasn't really evolved (definitely in appearance) since the first game. Anyway look forward to speaking to you all again when Pro Evo 3 is launched in October.

20. Ben Turner. on 15th Jul 2003

    How anyone could give this game anything less than 4 or 5 stars is beyond me. Makes me wonder if we are playing the same game, with reference to the slide tackling i see no problem its all about timing and skill something some of you reviewers must lack, have you tried not tackling from behind. With regards to bugs, what bugs? if anything they are far less than the previous versions and dont detract from the game at all. Menus and names, who gives a damn seems like a decent choice of modes, nothing wrong with the commentary seeming as all games are repetetive in this department. All in all it is a great improvement on the first the control is a lot more slick, the aerial control system is amazing some of the moves you can pull of using passing, crossing and heading are just so much better than any other football game, you know exactly where you are putting it. In summary brilliant.

21. Matt. on 15th Jul 2003

    I've played (just about) every version of FIFA and even own the PC version of 2002.
    
    FIFA is fun for about 10 minutes and then the presentation fades away to leave you with the same skeleton.
    
    I've read about 2004 that they're including various features, amongst others: a ball which doesn't stick to the players' feet and a whole new passing system which isn't auto-aim/100% accurate. These are things that Pro-Evo has done for ages.
    
    So, as someone who's played FIFA on many occasions, I can honestly say it just doesn't compare to PES2.
    
    I dare say there are people who say, "I don't care about graphics, just give me good gameplay..." - so chuck FIFA in the bin and play PES2!
    
    AS for PES3 (with reworked physics, referees offering advantage, players getting bandaged up, crowd's clothing changing to the weather conditions...), I've seen in-game video footage and it looks awesome. You might like to check out http://www.pesinsight.com for details.

22. rampant. on 24th Jul 2003

    Ben Turner: "With regards to bugs, what bugs?" Are you blind or something? Main bug shoot from a angle outside of the box 9 times out of 10 a goal! Do you not consider that a bug?

23. Ben Turner. on 29th Jul 2003

    Sorry why is it a bug that when you get an open shot on the outside of the box with a GOOD player you score 9/10, to me thats an improvement. The balance of the game is perfect it rewards playing football like its meant to be played. You dont seem to understand that it has to be easier to score because the game is only 10 mins long usually. A bug by definition is a fault with the game, and scoring a goal 9/10 is not a fault in my opinion. I also find the game has an incredibly sense of its either your day or it isn't like for example i beat AJAX 7-1 and then went on to be drubbed by SV HAMBURG 5-1, sometimes those retards just wont score especially starting out in master league. Anyway I babble on, basically a reitiration of how good this game is, and how little most of you other reviewers actaully seem to know about the game in a word its the don.

24. curt. on 31st Jul 2003

    right.. all this talk about pes2 and fifa's glitches and delights is getting me annoyed. pes2 is a great game, when i got my ps2 i went out to buy a game. i saw pes1 and bought it knowing absolutely nothing about it, i wasnt impressed at first because of the names, team names etc. but it grew on me, then,when i was an established fanatic and heardthat pes2 was coming out i went nuts couldnt wait bought it and played it. my friend was not impressed but what did he know, he doesnt even play the single player modes. the graphics had been improved, there was a few more stadiums and there was a advanced edit mode. i spent absolutely ages editing club teams, kits, players to new clubs (which disrupts international teams but can easily be solved by keeping clubs and internationals on different memory cards.) etc. and now i have the perfect pes2. commentry solved the way one of you lot has listed in another comment and im happy. now its just a matter of time till pes3 so hold on to your seats.

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