Gameplay-wise, the best part of PES is the UEFA Champions League as Konami has the full license (even though EA released a specific UEFA only game a few months back). Everything UEFA is here, right down to the pageantry – it’s really fun to watch and play.

Aside from that we are given a minor upgrade from last year’s game which is a minor upgrade from the year before, etc. The game seems pretty stale and dated at this point, and it’s too bad because the series has always had a loyal following. Ironically, this year it’s EA that stepped up to the plate. We’ve been saying for a few years that Konami needs to do this as well, but they still haven’t. The gameplay is no different than last year and all the nuances that you’ve learned from before are still viable in this version.

PES 2009 is still a fun and enjoyable game; there are quite a few modes – the Master League is still here, as well as online play. Become a Legend really is a disappointment, especially when compared to the amazing FIFA model. It’s just now you can really see the difference between FIFA and PES – and FIFA is starting to pull away.

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