|
 A
good game of footy is always a nice idea on
a bleak winter morn. Konami's Winning Eleven
series returns and is a fresh of breath air
in terms of structure and presentation but the
lack of online play for either the Xbox or PS2
North American versions is downright deplorable.
Since this series is online in Japan (as of
this March) and Europe has XBL, I'm not quite
sure how Konami could justify such a bizarre
decision to forego internet support on this
side of the pond.
If
you can get over that glaring ommision, Winning
Eleven 8 is a solid entry in a series of solid
entries. If you aren't sure that means, it's
my way of saying expect more evolution than
revolution.
The
biggest change in this years game is the way
Konami has laboriously poured over the strengths
and weaknesses of the players and brought that
into the games reality. It's a marvel really.
The last few years there really hasn't been
that big of a difference between each player,
outside of physical appearance; that's all changed
now and the game is much better because of it.
 The
AI has also taken a turn for the better and
I refer mainly to your teammates more so than
the always formidable defense of the your opponents.
If you have ever wished for more intelligent
teammates who just aren't so obviously executing
complicated behavorial routines which you can
eventually drive a truck through, then Winning
Eleven 8 is definitely worthy of your time and
money.
While
Winning Eleven 8 has to compete with EA's FIFA
in terms of licensing, let me just say that
this new game actually features Spain, Italy,
and Holland - all the teams, players and kits.
Sticklers for realism might balk at the "lookalikes"
that make up the other teams, but if you just
stretch that imagination a little, it probably
won't be a huge hurdle to overcome. FIFA does
manage to have everything in terms of licensing
and it's a good game, but Winning Eleven 8 is
better in my opinion.
 There
are a few standouts in Winning Eleven 8 that
make it a must have purchase even if you already
own the last few. The Master League has returned
and Konami has tweaked it to incredible levels
that will excite any armchair footy fan. Put
your fantasy Winning Eleven team together and
preserve them in a Hall Of Fame. As well, this
league plays out very realistically. Players
who are injured overtime, eventually have to
be retired. A very sad day for you, I know.
It's this level of realism that adds to the
emotion. I was very saddened to see some of
my star players leave the league. I mean, really
sad. But scouting new talent was also very exciting.
I love the changes to this mode and I think
you will too.
Winning
Eleven 8 is the underdog in terms of overall
presentation, graphics and even the English
language (!) when compared to FIFA but I still
maintain that it's a better game. With the Master
League done right, that statement is more true
than it has ever been.
|
Winning
Eleven 8 delivers a wealth of new moves, tricks
and more in-depth gameplay. This includes new
free kick and penalty kick techniques, an innovative
indirect free kick move and a new dribbling
system that offers more control as gamers go
one-on-one against opposing players. Winning
Eleven 8 will also include an on-screen referee
- another first in the series. 
