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| PLATFORM: XBOX |
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| ANOTHER YEAR OLDER |
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 his venerable franchise didn’t do a whole lot to change itself last year, and despite the addition of online play for Winning Eleven 9, this new title in the series is moving forward at a snail’s pace. Make no mistake, however. This game is still the best soccer title out there bar none, delivering gameplay that rivals the fancy footwork and imagination of those who play the sport in real life.
It’s easy to point to this game’s blasé graphics and see that as an obvious area upon which this game can improve, but one aspect in which it is falling behind in is in player movement. Although you can certainly use the left analog stick to move, it feels a little stiff when you’re dribbling. I would love for this series to turn that corner and deliver true analog movement so this game could open up with even more possibilities. WE 9 actually gives you some new trapping options, which can help you shake a marker, but as this series goes on and the list of commands mapped to an already crowded controller grows, I wonder if some of the intuitive play and grace are lost. Speaking of fluidity, the aggression of AI players has been increased, and you’ll notice that you can be bumped off the ball more, creating increased play stoppages. These may be realistic, but they cut into play too often. Your guys can also be a little timid in challenging for headers and receiving passes.
Another area that I feel needs an update is the Master League. Although it offers some player progression depth (including some tweaks this year), the format is boringly menu-driven and a bit dry considering how sports games are offering career formats imbued with a little more imagination. All told, Winning Eleven 9 is still a very well-honed title that never fails to get my blood going, but I think a jump to next-gen for the series could be just the boost that this franchise needs.
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There’s a growing split occurring in the two major franchises of video game soccer. FIFA continues to look and sound better, while simultaneously growing more player friendly. Meanwhile, Winning Eleven undoubtedly brings players the more authentic experience, and each year offers more complicated and precise controls. It’s a trend that is abundantly clear in both games this year, and your choice of which to play should be governed by those factors. The deep and involving play of Winning Eleven 9 shows off some great animations and the same stellar ball control of earlier versions, but overall visuals and the commentator clips are starting to feel ever so slightly behind the times. Whether you throw your money to Konami or EA at this point is really a matter of personal preference. |
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8.5 |
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| CONCEPT: |
| Online play has been added, but this series has plateaued |
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| GRAPHICS: |
| It’s high time for this game to update its bland graphics or go to next-gen |
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| SOUND: |
| Speaking of things that don’t change, the commentary and menu music are the same as ever |
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| PLAYABILITY: |
| A few new controls are added to the already mind-boggling possibilities |
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| ENTERTAINMENT: |
| Still the best soccer game out there for any system, but this franchise is starting to coast |
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| Copyright
1991 -
2009
:: Game Informer Magazine
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