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 Pro
Evolution
Soccer 2010 (PSP)
Taking to the pitch in the shadow of its big console cousins, Pro
Evolution Soccer 2010 transfers to the PSP owner a solid portion of
Konami's soccer series into the palm of their hand. What's surprising is
that most of the modes, such as Master League and Become a Legend are
present in this edition. Players will also find the new UEFA license
represented in this version plus many other options available that add
plenty of depth as well. The game plays solidly, but there are some
tradeoffs such as a lack of camera modes and less polished visuals that go
with the portable version that slightly compromise the overall experience.
Still, despite these trade-offs, PES 2010 delivers a solid soccer
game making it a solid purchase for gamers who want a little football
action on the go. |
We reviewed the PS3 edition of this soccer game from Konami a few months
back but, the handheld edition on PSP is a solid game in its own right and
deserves a look. PES 2010 mirrors the feature set and licenses of the
console release and players who are looking for a solid soccer experience
will find a fairly good simulation here. It still doesn't have the number
of licensed teams and leagues as FIFA, but there are a few and the
customization modes allow you to create your own similar teams if you
want. PES has all the modes you've come to expect from the series, and
that means you can play a number of different ways. Players can choose to
play against the computer AI for solo matches, or can also use the PSP's
ad-hoc mode to play against friends locally. Additional options allow you
to select the level of difficulty for each match, aggression of opponents
and how strict the referees will be when it comes time for penalties. Of
course, you'll find standard match and practice modes where you can play a
single match against an opponent. If you want to go a bit deeper into the
action, the game offers the ability to play in season mode with a single
team's campaign through multiple matches. New to this edition is the UEFA
mode that allows you to play through a season in the European championship
league with the actual teams and players available to play. This is a
solid addition to the game since PES' one drawback over the years has been
its lack of licenses, and this added authenticity gives the game more
depth.
Surprisingly for a portable release, PES
2010 also includes the series' trademark Master League mode where you can
manage a team through a season in the back rooms with trades, transfers
and other management options available between games. The most impressive
aspect in PES is its Become a Legend mode where you can create your own
custom player and play them as they work their way up through the league
in career mode. In this mode, the matches play differently than normal
rounds, since you are only in control of that player during the match.
Your objective is to stay on your position, which include mid-fielders and
strikers and try and perform to your best, helping the team along the way.
You begin Legend mode at the bottom of the league and as your character
competes in matches, they'll be judged on performance, which can then lead
to offers or transfers to other, more high profile clubs. Your ultimate
goal is to work your way up the league and play for the premier teams and
win them a championship along the way. All of these modes combine to give
PES 2010 plenty of depth and extensive replay value, which is an excellent
feature for a handheld title.
 PES
2010's gameplay has all the features you've come to expect and allows you
to set the level of difficulty, arrange team formations and use the simple
controls to create and play set-pieces. PES 2010's on screen controls are
fairly straightforward in this department, and playing the game is fairly
easy. Picking your formations plays a key role in how the matches play out
and you can choose either an aggressive forward stance if you face a
weaker opponent or a more defensive approach if you want to keep talented
opponents out of shot range. This year's edition has been refined in a
number of key areas and the gameplay flows nicely in terms of control. It
feels very solid with on-field controls providing excellent passing,
dribbling and, shooting mechanics. It lacks the 360 degree movement
featured on the console versions, but PES 2010 on the PSP still delivers
some fairly good physics models. As usual, it feels very natural on the
field and while this might not seem like a big deal, the controls help
each match flow and move nicely throughout. PES 2010's player movement is
controlled using the analog nub and players are fairly responsive to your
commands. Running is fairly simple and you can make your player sprint by
pressing the shift button. Opponent AI is fairly good and the other side
is quite aggressive in blocking your progress and trying to win possession
from your side. You can perform tackles, shift direct and counter their
moves fairly easily and the game's mechanics are fairly consistent
throughout. This makes for an accessible yet deep title on the pitch that
gives you an excellent sense of how each match will go. During the game,
you can choose different tactics for your team and can change these on the
fly depending on how the match is progressing. Commanding your team is a
fairly simple task throughout and most players should get the hang of the
basics easily. This makes the game easy to play in either short bursts, if
you want a quick run around the field. Players looking for longer sessions
will find plenty of depth and versatility in its controls as well, which
gives the game plenty of replay value.
From a presentation standpoint,
PES 2010 offers a fairly decent looking soccer title, though it doesn't
have quite as much polish as the other versions. The on field action
animates smoothly and moves at a good frame rate throughout. The basic
mode only offers a side view perspective on the action, which is
disappointing though expected. Playing in the Legend mode allows you to
take things to field level and play as a single player, and this
perspective gives you a much closer viewpoint on the action. There are
some good victory animations and close-ups when you score a goal, and the
commentary is fairly decent as well. Overall, it's a fairly good looking
game by PSP standards, but it probably won't blow anyone away. In the end,
PES 2010 on the PSP delivers exactly the qualities you've come to expect
from the series - solid play mechanics, plenty of depth and fairly good
visuals. Soccer fans who want some portable action will find this to be a
decent title that offers a solid gameplay experience.
-
Michael Palisano
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