Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
Score: 75% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 - 2 (Local) Genre: Sports (Soccer)/ Simulation
Graphics & Sound: Most portable games strive to deliver an alternative to the console or PC gaming experience. Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D does not share that goal, and aims instead to replicate the full experience on Nintendo's brand new handheld. That includes the visual style. At the very least, it looks like a PlayStation 2 game, and with the 3D slider at full blast, it might even look better than that. Most of the camera angles, however, are kind of disastrous; they never allow you a good look at all of the action on the pitch, and though that might be true of actually playing soccer, it doesn't feel right for a video game. My personal preference is Wide, but it's also the angle that utilizes the 3DS's namesake the least. And while we're on the subject, the 3D looks good. The level of depth is impressive, but if you use most of the other camera angles, it comes very close to serving as a distraction. The menu screens could be less cluttered, but there's no disputing that PES 2011 3D is technically sound. Jon Champion and Jim Beglin's commentary isn't nearly as varied as it is in the console version; that makes the red flag go up, because it wasn't at all varied there. They tend to speak far less, also. I suppose it's just as well. I don't particularly care to hear commentators hamming it up while two teams do their little back-and-forth. But I suspect that some do, and those are the ones who will be most disappointed with the commentary track. The rest of the game sounds fine, too, but in all fairness, it's got to be pretty difficult to mess up the sound of a crowd.
Gameplay: Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D lives up to its name. Simply, it's PES 2011 as you remember it, but on the Nintendo 3DS. This release is squarely aimed at hardcore franchise fans who want to take their video soccer on the road without worrying about any game-altering compromises. And while there's no online features to enrich the core experience, the soccer is functional. It doesn't feel completely modern, and it kind of feels like it was made this way on purpose. Though it only seems to hearken back to the most recent console generation, PES 2011 3D's key charm is in how retro it really is. The absence of multiplayer outside the two-player local Wireless Match option puts a dent in the overall experience, but all is not lost. There's still a lot to do in PES 2011 3D. You can take part in the UEFA Champions League, as well as the club-building Master League Mode, just like in the console versions. These modes are dense, however, and those who don't think of themselves as hardcore sim junkies will probably do well to stick to Exhibition matches. At least there's something in this game for most types of soccer fans.
Difficulty: If you don't know what you're doing, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D will give you a very hard time -- especially if you don't do something about that default camera angle. The opponent artificial intelligence is quite able, and wastes no time trying to take your team apart. Keeping track of your teammates at all times is a must if you want to hold your own; that's a task that can occasionally prove to be too much at times. Regardless of who's in possession of the ball, defenders are very aggressive in how much pressure they're putting on the carrier, which results in the on-screen action looking a lot like a human pinball game. At least the controls are simple enough to pick up within five minutes. The most basic of actions are well-mapped to the face buttons. So are the more complex inputs, but those take a little time to get used to. I usually don't say this about most games, but in the case of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D, I highly recommend spending a little time with the instruction manual before throwing yourself headlong into the action.
Game Mechanics: The Nintendo 3DS is sure to fall prey to shovelware titles that do nothing more than exploit the new hardware's signature gimmick. Since Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D is a launch title, it's perhaps surprising that almost none of the core gameplay mechanics have changed in the transition. After all, the 3DS features face buttons, which are pretty much universal when dealing with this medium. Standard control schemes aside, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D does a little bit with the touchscreen. It's worth mentioning; if you want to change your team's tactics on the fly, you can choose between a number of them with a series of quick taps. It's a bit cumbersome during actual play, though; the action on the upper screen demands your undivided attention at all times, and even a quick glance to the touchscreen can be the difference between a win and a loss. Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D is at the very least a good start; it ably lays down its roots on a new platform and gets the fundamentals right. However, there's still a lot of room for expansion and improvement. It definitely shows a lot of promise, and I hope it's all fulfilled in the coming years.
-FenixDown, GameVortex Communications AKA Jon Carlos
Related Links: Official Website of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D Game Vortex's Review of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 on Xbox 360 Buy Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D on Amazon
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