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The most authentic and realistic soccer game to date not only makes it’s return to the Xbox and PS2, but finally it’s online. For many, this is the turning point in the series that really puts it over the top. If there is a downside to the series, it is that the game is too realistic for its own good. This means there is a large learning curve for newbies. The league rules and transitions will be familiar only to the Soccer savvy and total team management may take some time for gamers new to the series to make a successful team. If you are up to the challenge, then there is no debate that this is Soccer at its finest. Visually Winning Eleven 9 looks remarkable and even better than in previous years. Everything from the excellent player models to the presentation has taken a step forward to deliver exciting and authentic looking action on the pitch. Players now have even a wider variety of distinct looks to them, which makes knowing your star players easier on the eyes. Stadiums are like cathedrals and are full of life no matter the weather conditions. The animations players possess are uncanny as the transitions between dribbles, passes, shots, and specialty moves are seamless and fluid. The frame rate remains steady throughout the entire game, whether you have the whole field of vision or are just focusing on a replay; the entire game runs at a solid frame rate. New screen wipes, cut scenes, and menus round out the new polished look and feel. Overall, soccer has never looked this good on the current gen systems, and I can’t wait to see what Konami has in store for the next-gen consoles.
Audio is typical, but that doesn’t make it a bad thing. Sound effects are justified by having surround sound, authentic samples, and the fantastic crowd cheers and jeers. Commentary is spot on and humorous at times, but always informative and entertaining. Gameplay is flawless. Taking control of your players, the ball, and your team is as easy or tough as your personal skill level. Veterans will pull off headers, kicks, and tackles with ease, while newbies may have to practice at it a bit. This need to practice also comes from the tough as nails A.I. that never lets up no matter what team is your opposition. And if you feel that you have gotten the best from even the most formidable A.I. on the hardest level, then online is calling you. Not only can you play online against others, but also you can even create your own team and enter online divisional rankings. No matter how you choose to play, online will always provide the most exciting and varied games that no CPU can match Even without going online, the single player franchise mode will keep you occupied for quite sometime. Here you can choose your league, which club to play for, make transfers, negotiate with players, watch them age, develop, and retire, and so much more. Of course, there are single game matches, short tourneys, and other variations if you do not feel like diving into a deep and complicated career mode. In the end, there is no comparison; World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 is the best soccer game to date. The only reason for the slight discrepancy in the score is the learning curve for new players may be too much. This is a professional soccer game, for folks who like their soccer authentic and ruthless. Anyone who denies this claim gets a red card and sent to the showers.
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