PES 2008

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (on the console it was known as PES 2008) was remembered primarily for its new generation artificial intelligence. The system, called Teamvision, monitored how the player acted on the field and adjusted the behavior of opponents to your style: if you constantly went down the flank, the defense began to block this particular area. For the first time, a computer tried not just to interfere, but to study. Freedom has been added to the field: dribbling has become softer, dribbles are performed in several touches, and players do not stick to each other in the fight. Defense requires calculation - a tackle at speed easily ends in a violation, and a foul in the penalty area costs a penalty. The goalkeepers play more confidently, although not without mistakes that remain in the memory for a long time. In addition to friendly matches and tournaments, there is Master League, where the club has been developing over the years, and online meetings, which worked very well for their time. Official licenses and updated lineups make the matches recognizable, and the presentation of the arenas conveys the atmosphere of big football. It’s also worth remembering the online matches of that time: they worked surprisingly stable, and a community formed around the game, organizing its own championships. Difficulty settings allow you to tweak the opponent’s aggressiveness, so a beginner will not be crushed in the first match. Commentary and the sound of the stands add to the atmosphere, and the differences between the teams are visible not only in form, but also in the manner of play. The PES 2008 is often remembered as the part where the series first made it clear that computers could learn. Today the game looks old-fashioned, but its approach to defense and passing remains clear and enjoyable.