Konami's PSP game Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 features many improvements over last year's release. However, not all of them enhance the experience.
At first glance, the soccer players animate well, a wide-open view of the field lets players see all the action and the crowd shows remarkable energy on the sidelines. However, the game looks ugly up close. Players look catatonic, with glazed expressions. In addition, their hair disappears and reappears. The game closely resembles the PS2 version in terms of graphic quality, but the small details become quite distracting.
The audio provides another eyesore. Konami nixed the play-by-play commentary, diminishing the game's ambience. Peter Brackley still pops up to scream "GOAL!", but other than that, players will hear minimal on-field noises and crowd chants.
At least the game plays well. The controls let players execute dirty steals, set up wild cross-field pass plays and score goals. The analog nub doesn't handle nearly as well as a stick, but it gets the job done. The computer opponents show persistence, with a goalie that refuses to quit and team players eager to score. In addition, players can hook up with a friend via AdHoc and challenge them locally, although the game lacks online Infrastructure play.
Fans of the Master League mode will delight in this year's edition. Players work their way to a soccer championship while keeping up their team's appearance and negotiating for top players. Many teams and leagues become available in Mater League, although the German League has inexplicably taken a leave of absence. This may leave fans a little sore, although the Bayern Munich team remains available.
Even with its flaws, soccer enthusiasts should enjoy Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007. If Konami improves the presentation and adds commentary, it will contend for the Cup next year.
Final Score: 7 (out of 10)
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