The Evolution Is Here! (International Superstar Soccer Pro Evolution (PS))

Member Name: jamesdean1981

Product:	International Superstar Soccer Pro Evolution (PS)
Date:	14/10/01 (322 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing gameplay, Great graphics

Disadvantages: Presentation isn't that good

This is my first go at reviewing a game, so any comments on layout would be very welcome.

Okay, ISS Pro: Evolution is a football game. I’m assuming most people know what football entails, and this isn’t exactly a radical departure, so that’ll do for the basics. Now, onto the burning question – is it any good?

There’s two answers to the said question. The short one is, God, yes!!! For the long one, read the five sections below.

PRESENTATION

Okay, this is where ISS games traditionally fall down to EA’s FIFA series, and this is no exception. Rather than the FIFA presenter’s lineup of John Motson, Des Lynam, Gary Lineker and Andy Gray, we get in game analysis from the legendary… Terry Butcher. And commentary from Martin Buchan, is it? Not 100% sure – I play most games with the sound turned down while listening to music, and hearing this didn’t make me want to change my usual ways. Also, there’s only national sides plus a handful of club teams. And, they don’t have real player names. Now for me, whether Paul Scholes is spelt Scholes or Skoles isn’t a major factor in my enjoyment of a game. For some people, though, from what I’ve heard, it’s practically the be all and end all. More power to them, of course. The real disappointment for me, as far as presentation goes, is the lack of variety in the game. While the Master League option (explained below) is absolutely fantastic, the cups and leagues are very standard, and there’s STILL no sign of the Scenario mode which was so great in ISS Deluxe back on the Megadrive and SNES. Also, the training (which was absolutely wonderful in Deluxe) is, as in all the games since, boring, with just your normal practise against a goalkeeper with no defence, and set piece practices.

GRAPHICS

The graphics on this are fantastic, with players resembling their real life counterpa
rts to a huge degree. Whether it’s Gabriel Batistuta’s flowing hair you want to see, or you just want to remember Becks in his pre-Mohican days, you won’t be disappointed by the view of the in game action. Sorta on the graphics front, though, the lack of a proper instant replay function (it only shows goals and near misses), is annoying.

SOUND

Ummm… as I said, I tend to play games with the sound down, but I’ve listened to this a few times, and it’s nothing special, although not awful. Terry Butcher’s analysis is incredibly weak (admittedly, that may not be Konami’s fault…) and the commentary isn’t up there with any of the EA Sports releases.

GAMEPLAY

THIS is where the game is head and shoulders above any of it’s rivals. With the most natural, intuitive, easy to learn but hard to master gameplay around, you’ll be hooked as soon as you pick up a joypad. For once, as well, the player stats make a real difference, with Beckham being far more likely than, say, Roy Keane to pick someone out with a long pass, and Michael Owen up front being able to run rings around defenders, while other strikers will use their superior power to shrug them off. Also, the physics of the game are brilliant, with rebounds going everywhere, and deflections taking a realistic course. Additionally, unlike many football games, there are no guaranteed ways to score – although my sole criticism of the gameplay would be the near impossibility of scoring direct from a free kick. The Master League mode, as well, is fantastic, with you starting with a set squad of players and 20 points, and earning 4 points for a draw, and 8 points for a win, along with an extra point for every goal you win by. Points can then be exchanged for players, with the best (Ronaldo) costing 50 points, and journeymen workhorses available for about 18. The significance of the stats makes this mode a real c
hallenge, as you start off by having to grind out results against much better teams until you can get some decent players in. My personal favourites on this mode include the two strikers Babandiga and McCarthy, both of whom are cheap but will get a number of goals for you. The season in Master League takes the format of a 16 team league, and it will take you a good few seasons to build up a side capable of challenging for first place.

All in all, highly recommended.

Summary: