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After our ultimate review of Fifa 09, we take a look at its main rival Pro Evo 09. The game is reviewed by the highly experienced football reporter Louis Antonius who is soon to join TF90M squad of writers as our English Football League correspondent. 
October 17th saw the return of the football fans favourite franchise, Konami’s footballing jewel Pro Evolution Soccer 2009. Some were disappointed with Konami’s previous effort in 2008, but no one will be regretting their decision to buy this year’s version thanks to many improvements including further team licenses, the new Champions League format and the Become a Legend mode. The Become A Legend mode involves creating a player to your desired specifications from his arm circumference to the style of his hair, size of his nose to the colour of his boots. Playing each game controlling just this one player, you have to find space for yourself, call for the ball and make things happen transforming your player from an unknown Sunday League player to an International Superstar. The mode also allows you to pit your wits against players around the world online to test yourself against other PES fanatics. Although extremely frustrating at times, the satisfaction gained from moments like smashing in your first goal of your career, scoring the winner against your real-life rival club and winning the World Player of the Year award are well worth giving it a go. When listening to FIFA fans arguing why their game is better, the only point they seem to come up with is, “Who wants to play with teams like Merseyside Blue”. Well personally it’s all about the gameplay for myself but changing the team names takes about five minutes of ones time to do, but for the lazy ones, Konami is working hard to please the brand-hunters. Whilst already having the likes of top clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan, PES 2009 now has the licenses of top English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool, two of the worlds best stadiums Wembley and the Stade De France and finally giving those FIFA fans something to be jealous of on the licensing front with the introduction of the Champions League competition, where you pick your preferred team and take them on the road to Rome facing challenging tasks in the group stages and then tricky home and away legs in the knockout stages before eventually reaching the final in Rome. Even I an avid PES fan can admit a flaw in the 08 online play but I was pleased to see an improvement in this year's version with less interruptions making it nearly as slick as when playing it regularly. However if I was to admit a sector where I would prefer to be playing on FIFA it would be the online play. The additions add to the superiority PES has over FIFA but PES’ trademark fluid gameplay is what gives it the edge over its fiercest rival. Defending bravely at one end, in a matter of seconds with the aid of your flair players you can be up the other end ripping the opposition defence apart with tricks such as the stepover. Exciting for all 90 minutes, be careful not to fall off the edge of your seat when playing! So I recommend to you PES as a perfect Christmas present along with the TF90M fashion range, with both sure to put a smile on the recipients face when they open up their present and realise they have the latest edition of the best game in the world and a new TF90M t-shirt. Rating: Gameplay 9.5 Become a legend: 9 Online play: 7.5 Overall 9
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