Pro Evolution Soccer 5, was released for Xbox, Windows and PS2, all online enabled. A PSP version was released, but with stripped down features, such as no Master League, no commentary, only one stadium and limitations in the editor, due to the limitations to the UMD. The PSP version featured Wi-fi play, and the gameplay was faster and more "pin-ball like" in comparison to its console siblings, but it did not receive the same acclaim as the mainstream console/PC versions.
The Xbox 360 version features next-generation, high-definition graphics and more animations, but gameplay similar to the other console versions, according to a recent interview with Seabass. The Xbox 360 version also finally introduces the Pro Evolution series to widescreen gaming, a feature that was sorely missing from the PS2 and Xbox versions of the game. Much of the gameplay and editing options were severely stripped down for the 360 release.
Given that PS2 console games are region-locked, and that the average punter is very unlikely to have a Japanese console tucked under the telly, it seems fair at this point to bid a fond farewell to those of you with no prior experience of Winning Eleven. What you want is Pro Evolution Soccer 3, which remains the pinnacle of footballing accomplishments in your local gaming shop, despite the efforts of 878,000 FIFA fans to convince us otherwise. Go and play PES3, and, by the time you can curl a Beckham free kick into the top corner every once in a while, you'll be in a position to appreciate why this one is better.
Think about how good older sports games were - the top-down ones that barely had to worry about whether legs clashed in animation - and apply that to what you know about Pro Evo. Players are so much quicker to fire the ball out of their feet now. If a ball comes to a midfielder on the halfway line at waist height, he can harness its momentum in mid-air by knocking it on to an advancing attacker with just one touch, often helping to craft an opportunity in the process. Rather like Heskey's touch that led to Liverpool's winning goal at Stamford Bridge a few months ago, for those who remember that...
State of the Platform
While 2007 was the seventh year that the PS2 had been out on store shelves, it proved that you can't keep a great console down. Although much of the focus within the press has been centered upon the PS3, Sony's oldest console has been steadily selling consoles, month after month. In fact, the slim designed PS2 sold more than 100,000 consoles every month of 2007, consistently proving that the system has more life in it than most analysts are willing to give it credit for.
The increased longevity of the system could potentially be attributed to the cost of the PS3. Even though the newer system received two separate price drops, its cost was still somewhat prohibitive to some gamers that didn't have the funds for the system or a high definition television. On the other hand, a Slim PS2 was extremely affordable at $129, and its library of more than 1,400 games (not counting backwards compatibility) made it a very attractive alternative. In fact, multiple studies conducted during the year by Nielsen showed that more gamers play the PS2 than any other console, current or last gen. 42% of all gaming time is conducted on the PS2, so the elder statesman of consoles is still showing its longevity.
On top of these statistics, the PS2 enjoyed another solid year of games from beginning to end. Sports franchises such as Winning Eleven: Pro Evo Soccer, MLB '07: The Show and Rugby 08 shone on the system, while older series made a return to the PS2. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Burnout Dominator were standouts on the console. This year was also incredible for RPGs on the PS2, with Odin Sphere, Persona 3 and Rogue Galaxy anchoring a deep list of enjoyable games.
The first God of War introduced players to Kratos, who quickly become one of the PlayStation 2's most famous "heroes." While the first iteration of the series was an incredible action game, God of War II is nearly perfect and just barely manages to improve on an already sublime experience. Packing remarkable visuals, a sweeping orchestration and (as you might expect) fantastic gameplay, God of War II is undoubtedly one of the best games to ever grace this console. If you, for some reason, haven't played the original one or the second, track down copies and play them. Immediately.
Why it was important: Solid, exclusive software sells systems. For consumers who were debating whether to buy a PS3 or 360, the loss of DMC4 exclusivity meant one less reason to pick up Sony's expensive console. The reality is that Capcom's decision reflects a change in publishers' strategy. Games are expensive, risky undertakings, and companies need to make sure they can get their products in the hands of as many gamers as possible. Going forward, we're likely to see fewer and fewer exclusives. If Sony really wanted to keep DMC4 to itself, it should have made the deal sweet enough for Capcom.
Why it was important: Home is incredibly ambitious -- which is why it was delayed from a year-end release to spring 2008. The service has the potential to significantly up the ante for what modern gamers can do with their consoles. The achievement system on the 360 has been enormously popular. Rather than merely duplicating it, Sony appears to be trying to take that concept to a whole new level. If it is successful, Microsoft could find itself the one playing catch-up.
Why it is important: Sony is using the high concept of user-generated content to differentiate its console from the competition. So far, it's only delivered promises. But our play time with LittleBigPlanet indicates Sony will make good on those promises this spring.
Phil Harrison -- Sony's Chief of Worldwide Studios has made many appearances this year championing the PS3, but also the future of gaming in general. His response to the negative media attention his new system received early in the year? "I couldn't care less." During his GDC keynote speech he introduced his idea of Gaming 3.0, which foresees a future in which consoles are more connected and user-generated content fuels our games. Sony fans were able to rest a little easier this year knowing they had Harrison in their corner.
Midterm Corrections?
Typically, the Midterm Corrections is where we take a look back at our picks for the best PS2 games of E3 2007 and we see whether our award winning choices managed to measure up in the end, or if we were simply awestruck by the lights of the show. Unfortunately, this year requires a bit of a deviation from this standard procedure. The primary reason for this is because we didn't have any best PS2 games of E3 for this year, which makes it relatively hard to determine whether or not our choices were accurate. Instead, we're going to look back at some of the Game of the Month winners, as well as some of the bigger surprises that happened on the PS2 this year.
February was knocked out of the park thanks to their release of MLB 07: The Show. Easily one of the best baseball titles released on the console, not to mention one of the strongest sports games on the PS2, The Show wowed players with its excellent controls and incredible depth. The inclusion of umpire personalities strengthened calls behind the plate, while the Road to the Show let players step into the cleats of their favorite position and lead a created player from the minors to the big leagues.
With all of these games being so good, the PS2 managed to point out something that we all didn't expect -- it was still alive and kicking. We knew that there were some good titles that would be coming out for the system, but no one expected that the console would still be pumping out good games month after month. With games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero III coming in the last few weeks of the year, the PS2 kept rolling out hits for its owners to enjoy.
This list features the most popular and best-selling soccer games that were released for the PlayStation 2. While many of these games were console exclusive, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Games on this poll include FIFA 14, Pro Evolution Soccer 2, and Sega Soccer Slam. Vote for your favorite video games below.
* Krome Studios (www.kromestudios.com) - "Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 3" Krome Studios will unveil the latest installment of its popular, award-winning TY the Tasmanian Tiger series. In "TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3," TY and his mates face their biggest challenge yet - an otherworldly invasion by an ancient evil. In this next chapter, players will embark on a series of new action packed missions and challenges filled with new and upgraded weapons and vehicles. Like its predecessors, "TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3" will feature a unique array of interesting indigenous animals inspired by the Australian Outback including the loveable TY, who is based on the thought-to-be-extinct Tasmanian tiger. The game is currently in development at Krome Studios and scheduled for release in the Fall of 2005. Platforms: PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
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