Post by HundredProofSam on Feb 1, 2007 21:08:42 GMT 6
There are a lot of moves in Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 2007. There are a lot of words in that title, too. But no matter how deep you get into the command list, there's still no headbutt button. Sorry Zidane.
That didn't stop us from going back in time to re-create one of the best World Cup finals in history, the 2006 humdinger between France and Italy in which the Azzurri defeated Les Blues on penalties.
On the virtual pitch with the new rosters, one thing immediately jumped out: Zidane is back! Although retired from international play, Konami must have felt his star-power and dominant hairline should continue to grace the French national team. With Zidane on the pitch there was only one thing left to do -- get headbuttee Marco Materazzi in the game.
The Inter Milan defender is not notorious for allegedly questioning Zidane's parentage and/or sexuality in the World Cup final. That's a big no-no for Zidane, a three-time FIFA player-of-the-year. So Zidane put the hurt down on Materazzi in one of the all-time great World Cup moments. Coincidentally, Materazzi was involved in another incident in a Serie A match Tuesday when Gennaro Delvecchio of Sampodoria headbutted the defender yet again. Not surprisingly, Delvecchio claims he was provoked.
It's too bad there isn't this kind of bad-blood in Winning Eleven, Konami's outstanding soccer franchise that is making its way to the Xbox 360 for the first time next week. Despite harassing Materazzi with Zidane and blanketing Zidane with Materazzi, we could provoke no racial slurs or headbutts of any kind. It's just this sort of behavior that can spice up Winning Eleven, which is somewhat stagnant in the innovation department. Of course, the game is still outstanding in the gameplay department.
Visually, WEPES 2007 looks little better than a high-definition PlayStation 2 title, if such a thing existed. As you can see from the player models (click on the media links at the bottom of the page for more), Konami has not yet taken that graphical leap forward with its soccer title. Still, your star players like Zidane, Francesco Totti, Theirry Henry and Luca Toni are recognizable in cut scenes.
Like the World Cup final, our virtual re-creation was a defensive battle. Scoring is more difficult than ever this season, although we were playing on the Professional difficulty setting, second only to the impossible World Class. Most of our scoring opportunities came on crossing chances from the wings. Even then, all-world striker Toni had trouble getting his head on the ball. Only in perfect position did Toni make good contact. Most of the time the ball sailed into the air or wide. Like in the real game -- and unlike the more "arcadey" FIFA from EA, bicycle kicks and diving header goals are few and far between.
Perhaps that is why WEPES 2007 will continue as the leading soccer title in the gameplay department this year -- when a spectacular goal does take place, it feels like something special. Just the other day another games journalist took me aside to show a quick movie on his cell phone of a sweet chip shot from the European title, Pro Evolution Soccer. That's what this game does to you.
Defensively, both France and Italy turned away opportunity after opportunity. Crosses were headed away; through-balls intercepted; one-on-one chances foiled by great goalkeeping. Fittingly, the game came down to penalty kicks. Where WEPES can improve is in the PK department. Twice the Italians missed the goal altogether by holding down and left and tapping the shoot button. We prefer the method introduced in EA's 2006 FIFA World Cup on the 360, in which the goalie can do distracting little dances and the shooter must try to hit a sweet spot on a meter to get the perfect shot.
Naturally, we blame the controls whenever we lose a game of anything, and we lost as Italy against France in penalties. We'll have more classic matches for you this week, including all new screens and videos. Get excited for the best playing soccer game on the market, which hits store shelves next week.
xbox360.ign.com/articles/760/760375p1.html
peace
That didn't stop us from going back in time to re-create one of the best World Cup finals in history, the 2006 humdinger between France and Italy in which the Azzurri defeated Les Blues on penalties.
On the virtual pitch with the new rosters, one thing immediately jumped out: Zidane is back! Although retired from international play, Konami must have felt his star-power and dominant hairline should continue to grace the French national team. With Zidane on the pitch there was only one thing left to do -- get headbuttee Marco Materazzi in the game.
The Inter Milan defender is not notorious for allegedly questioning Zidane's parentage and/or sexuality in the World Cup final. That's a big no-no for Zidane, a three-time FIFA player-of-the-year. So Zidane put the hurt down on Materazzi in one of the all-time great World Cup moments. Coincidentally, Materazzi was involved in another incident in a Serie A match Tuesday when Gennaro Delvecchio of Sampodoria headbutted the defender yet again. Not surprisingly, Delvecchio claims he was provoked.
It's too bad there isn't this kind of bad-blood in Winning Eleven, Konami's outstanding soccer franchise that is making its way to the Xbox 360 for the first time next week. Despite harassing Materazzi with Zidane and blanketing Zidane with Materazzi, we could provoke no racial slurs or headbutts of any kind. It's just this sort of behavior that can spice up Winning Eleven, which is somewhat stagnant in the innovation department. Of course, the game is still outstanding in the gameplay department.
Visually, WEPES 2007 looks little better than a high-definition PlayStation 2 title, if such a thing existed. As you can see from the player models (click on the media links at the bottom of the page for more), Konami has not yet taken that graphical leap forward with its soccer title. Still, your star players like Zidane, Francesco Totti, Theirry Henry and Luca Toni are recognizable in cut scenes.
Like the World Cup final, our virtual re-creation was a defensive battle. Scoring is more difficult than ever this season, although we were playing on the Professional difficulty setting, second only to the impossible World Class. Most of our scoring opportunities came on crossing chances from the wings. Even then, all-world striker Toni had trouble getting his head on the ball. Only in perfect position did Toni make good contact. Most of the time the ball sailed into the air or wide. Like in the real game -- and unlike the more "arcadey" FIFA from EA, bicycle kicks and diving header goals are few and far between.
Perhaps that is why WEPES 2007 will continue as the leading soccer title in the gameplay department this year -- when a spectacular goal does take place, it feels like something special. Just the other day another games journalist took me aside to show a quick movie on his cell phone of a sweet chip shot from the European title, Pro Evolution Soccer. That's what this game does to you.
Defensively, both France and Italy turned away opportunity after opportunity. Crosses were headed away; through-balls intercepted; one-on-one chances foiled by great goalkeeping. Fittingly, the game came down to penalty kicks. Where WEPES can improve is in the PK department. Twice the Italians missed the goal altogether by holding down and left and tapping the shoot button. We prefer the method introduced in EA's 2006 FIFA World Cup on the 360, in which the goalie can do distracting little dances and the shooter must try to hit a sweet spot on a meter to get the perfect shot.
Naturally, we blame the controls whenever we lose a game of anything, and we lost as Italy against France in penalties. We'll have more classic matches for you this week, including all new screens and videos. Get excited for the best playing soccer game on the market, which hits store shelves next week.
xbox360.ign.com/articles/760/760375p1.html
peace