It's only a game so put up a real good fight... we're gonna be soccering you, soccering you tonight

It's only a game so put up a real good fight... we're gonna be soccering you, soccering you tonight

The world of football is a partisan affair with inbred allegiances (just ask anyone from Newcastle) and in this sense computer games are no exception.  There’s no greater match-up than the FIFA vs. Pro Evolution Soccer derby: gamers have developed deep loyalties to both sides from the days of the SNES and Mega Drive. Parties from both camps have been debating the merits of each, providing an atmosphere “bordering on the frenetic” as a Pro Evo commentator might say, but the 2009 editions have a distinct FIFA at home advantage leaving Pro Evo with everything to prove.

The arrival of the latest generation of consoles has opened up a new realm of possibility and produced a level playing field for both sides. To compare the games to different teams: FIFA is the Chelsea of the gaming world, using its financial muscle to make a real bid for the top spot. Just like Scolari’s team, it has picked up a touch of class by drawing attention to the play and not just the big names. Pro Evo seems to be more like Liverpool; highly decorated in its heyday but lacking in more recent times.

Even as an ardent Pro Evo supporter the louder, more coherent chants of the FIFA fans have recently cast doubts in my mind. In the interest of fairness I rented out FIFA and, feeling a bit dirty, settled down for a gaming session. The slickness of FIFA is initially  overwhelming with graphics that are maybe too good (undoubtedly a Pro Evo-induced reaction). After some button configurations were swapped around and the move list committed to memory, my warm-up was completed and it was time for the match.

FIFA 2009 has an incredible 250 game improvements including new tackling mechanics, players wrapping up to keep warm in adverse weather conditions, late kick-offs with floodlights coming on at half time and some naff player controlled celebrations. The best of these additions is undoubtedly the innovative Adidas Live Season where players’ performances in real-life affect their performance in the game. Finally, the introduction of the holy grail of 10 vs. 10 online play (compared to 4 vs. 4 in Pro Evo) will probably resemble an Under 11’s team with everyone chasing after the ball, but it’s the possibilities that will make this a worthy inclusion.

With Pro Evo due to arrive two weeks after FIFA and the young upstart getting such a positive reception in the media, Konami must have been feeling the pressure to deliver. Having been blown away by FIFA’s presentation, I was quite pleasantly surprised by Pro Evo 2009. After all, aesthetics were never Pro Evo’s strongest asset, as it has always focused on gameplay. Pro Evo 2009 boasts a more modest range of improvements than FIFA such as a smarter AI system for more intelligent runs, revised ball resistance calculations for more accurate ball flight, backspin routines for improved bounces and changes to how players can control balls. A new UEFA licensing agreement has allowed the Champions’ League to be a prominent feature, showing Konami aren’t afraid to splash out for those lucrative licenses.
Another good addition is the ‘Be a Legend’ mode, where the player takes control of a 17-year-old youth player and tries to become a national hero (similar to FIFA’s ‘Be a Pro’).  The most important change comes from the completely overhauled game engine leading to some seriously intense battling in the midfield, a shock to the system for players used to the “box to box” style of previous Pro Evo games.

The choice remains: FIFA or Pro Evo? FIFA has good looks, strapping physique and flawless knowledge, while Pro Evo is an aging legend: not quite as attractive, forgets the name of the team and its players but has an unparalleled understanding of the nature of the game. It’s a tough decision, and ultimately a personal one. It’s worth seeing what can be done with plenty of money- see FIFA’s highly polished looks and improved game play- but Pro Evo’s superior physics and playability are its saving grace. Ultimately, it’s simply too close to call. My advice? Stick with what you know and you’ll forget you ever considered changing.