This arrived this morning, only had a few games so far after sitting through the basics tutorial you are confronted with after booting the game, but the games I've had so far have been great fun.
At the moment, this game looks like PES/WE (on PS2), but it plays like a different beast altogether. Approach it with a traditional PES/WE head (like I did) and you'll have a bit of a head scratching time. The tutorials quickly give you a taste of how things work, so you slowly start to apply the moves you've learned.
It's kick-off, you're on the ball, aim the on-screen reticle at a player or space around him and press B (trigger) on the Wii-remote to pass. Double tapping B will result in a lob pass. Great for switching the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, or through balls over the top, providing you've aimed at a good amount of space in front of you target player.
Passing feels great. It's really fun.
Shooting is done simply by quickly swiping the nunchuck in a sideways motion. So far, I've tried swiping outwards, which works, although doesn't seem to influence the shot type or direction... the results seem random. Maybe the focus is on the play making? Will investigate more at a later time.
Defending is tricky. I'm not too sure what is the best approach at the moment. I need to look into it more. For now, what seems to be working, is when your opponents are on the ball, aim your reticle and press A button on potential threatening players. Players that are near the guy in possession who he could pass to or others you may think will attempt to run into space. By clicking on these opposing players, your nearest player will mark them closely making your opponents passing options thin. Click on the guy in possession and your player nearest will attempt to challenge him. Any of your players who you have given these defensive commands to will have a blue circle at their feet. Players close enough to make a challenge for the ball will have that circle change colour to red. With the circle red, you now have the option to make a sliding challenge by holding Z on the nunchuck and swiping it (Leaving them would just let them continue to apply pressure). Just make sure your player making the challenge isn't behind your opponent
Also, whilst defending you have the option to quickly spring the offside trap, this is done by simply swiping the Wii-remote in an upwards motion. It works great.
Movement whilst on the ball takes some time to get used to. You can move your player using the nunchuck stick, this will move your player at a normal jogging pace. Hold Z whilst moving to knock the pace down a notch. Getting into a sprint with the ball is a different kettle of fish. Firstly, you can move your player without even touching the nunchuck stick... aiming your reticle to a space on the pitch whilst keeping hold of A button will make your player on the ball move there. If you're aiming several yards away from your player, the pace he moves will be at the normal jogging pace, aim your reticle near to the edge of the screen and you'll break into a sprint pace. It's tricky, but it does work.
You can easily get players off-the-ball to move anywhere you want, by aiming at them, holding A and dragging a path for them. Good for planning a through ball move.
The game feels like an RTS at times, but it's been a very enjoyable experience so far. I definately need loads more practice and need to find out the best strategies, tricks etc. It can be frustrating too, but hopefully after time these will be ironed away.
As I've said, haven't had too much time with it, so I ain't tried the online or the 'Champions Road' option.
I think this comes out in PAL land in a week or two as well. I highly recommend it, even if PES isn't your thing.
Random vid - hopefully will give you an idea of what I've been harpin' on about...
At the moment, this game looks like PES/WE (on PS2), but it plays like a different beast altogether. Approach it with a traditional PES/WE head (like I did) and you'll have a bit of a head scratching time. The tutorials quickly give you a taste of how things work, so you slowly start to apply the moves you've learned.
It's kick-off, you're on the ball, aim the on-screen reticle at a player or space around him and press B (trigger) on the Wii-remote to pass. Double tapping B will result in a lob pass. Great for switching the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, or through balls over the top, providing you've aimed at a good amount of space in front of you target player.
Passing feels great. It's really fun.
Shooting is done simply by quickly swiping the nunchuck in a sideways motion. So far, I've tried swiping outwards, which works, although doesn't seem to influence the shot type or direction... the results seem random. Maybe the focus is on the play making? Will investigate more at a later time.
Defending is tricky. I'm not too sure what is the best approach at the moment. I need to look into it more. For now, what seems to be working, is when your opponents are on the ball, aim your reticle and press A button on potential threatening players. Players that are near the guy in possession who he could pass to or others you may think will attempt to run into space. By clicking on these opposing players, your nearest player will mark them closely making your opponents passing options thin. Click on the guy in possession and your player nearest will attempt to challenge him. Any of your players who you have given these defensive commands to will have a blue circle at their feet. Players close enough to make a challenge for the ball will have that circle change colour to red. With the circle red, you now have the option to make a sliding challenge by holding Z on the nunchuck and swiping it (Leaving them would just let them continue to apply pressure). Just make sure your player making the challenge isn't behind your opponent
Also, whilst defending you have the option to quickly spring the offside trap, this is done by simply swiping the Wii-remote in an upwards motion. It works great.
Movement whilst on the ball takes some time to get used to. You can move your player using the nunchuck stick, this will move your player at a normal jogging pace. Hold Z whilst moving to knock the pace down a notch. Getting into a sprint with the ball is a different kettle of fish. Firstly, you can move your player without even touching the nunchuck stick... aiming your reticle to a space on the pitch whilst keeping hold of A button will make your player on the ball move there. If you're aiming several yards away from your player, the pace he moves will be at the normal jogging pace, aim your reticle near to the edge of the screen and you'll break into a sprint pace. It's tricky, but it does work.
You can easily get players off-the-ball to move anywhere you want, by aiming at them, holding A and dragging a path for them. Good for planning a through ball move.
The game feels like an RTS at times, but it's been a very enjoyable experience so far. I definately need loads more practice and need to find out the best strategies, tricks etc. It can be frustrating too, but hopefully after time these will be ironed away.
As I've said, haven't had too much time with it, so I ain't tried the online or the 'Champions Road' option.
I think this comes out in PAL land in a week or two as well. I highly recommend it, even if PES isn't your thing.
Random vid - hopefully will give you an idea of what I've been harpin' on about...
I think I'll be picking up the PAL version and selling this on in a week or so when it comes out.
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