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The competition between EA Sport’s Fifa Series and Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer series has been going on for years now. Every gamer who loves soccer games is faced with a choice, whether to play Fifa or Pro Evolution Soccer. And each has there own opinion, some like Fifa, some like PES. In the last few years, if you would have asked me which one was better, I would have immediately said PES because of its more realistic game play. But for the first time since many years, the competition between the two is going head to head. Both Fifa 09 and PES 2009 have come with improvements and it is really difficult to decide. I have written detailed reviews about Fifa 09 as well as Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, now it is time to see which one wins the battle.

Graphics

Both the games have improved there graphics quality substantially. Fifa 09 comes with a lot of changes which also includes a 3D pitch which makes the game look almost real. PES have also had a few changes but to be honest, Fifa gives you a more real feeling. Now coming to player models, both Fifa and PES have tried to beautifully model each player but none has come out to be perfect. In Fifa as well as PES, some players look almost real while some don’t resemble there real life counterpart. If we compare the player animations that are shown while playing, Fifa definitely has an advantage over Konami. The stadiums in both the games are beautifully rendered and as usual, Fifa 09 comes with a lot of stadiums as compared to PES 2009.

Game Modes

When it comes to players and teams license, Fifa will always have an upper hand over PES. They have license of almost all the leagues and players and competition. It will be a few more years before PES reaches that but this year is certainly better than before. PES comes with the license of Champions League and a few teams also but it is a pity that the Champions League is not included when it comes to Season mode. Coming to Game Modes, PES now comes with “Be a Legend” mode which is similar to Fifa’s “Be a Pro” mode. So it is hardly an innovative thing from PES. Fifa has also improved there Be a Pro mode than before. Other game modes are the same as that of previous versions.

Gameplay

Now coming to the most important thing, the Gameplay. In the last few years, i never liked the Fifa gameplay as PES was always much realistic. But this time, Fifa has come with a lot of changes and improvements. The new collision system is fantastic, you can see players colliding when going for the header or when running. Players will also get tired quickly depending on how much they run in a match. Different players behave differently with the ball depending on there skill. The shooting system is better than before. Pro Evolution Soccer gameplay is also much improved as compared to the 2008 version. Players run with the ball more realistically, shooting is better but could have been improved.

When it comes to AI, Fifa is the winner in my opinion. I have seen that when the CPU is losing, they will attack with urgency, trying long range shots, testing the goal keeper on every occasion, getting player forward on every occasion. While in case of PES, no urgency is there. The opposition will still behave as though nothing has changed. Overall the AI of both the games is good but in certain situation, Fifa feels better.

Sound

I will be straight forward here. PES totally sucks when it comes to commentary or game sounds. Fifa is the clear winner in this case.

While reading the above things you might be thinking that Fifa is way better. I don’t mean to write in favor of Fifa but they are the game has come out with a lot of changes. Konami has come with any major changes or innovations that I was expecting. If you ask me to pick a winner, i wont say that one is better. I have played both the games and I feel it will depend on person to person. Some will like Fifa while some will like Konami. Even I sometime play Fifa and sometimes PES. Both games have there own charm this time. So better play the game yourselves to decide which one is better. I would love to hear your thoughts in comments.

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