The GameShadow Blog

As the football season get underway, so does the hype and intensity surrounding the next editions of FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer.

Electronic Arts and Konami go head-to-head once again as FIFA 10 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 aim to capture the top spot when both are released in October.

FIFA 09 was the biggest selling UK title of 2008, beating its Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 rival.

The FIFA 10 Demo is heading out on 10th September, so fans can get an early taste of the game.

The competition in the manager’s dugout is also fierce at this time of year though, with Championship Manager 2010, FIFA Manager 10 and Football Manager 2010 jostling for position as the fans choice for the ultimate football management title.

Japanese publisher Konami has reportedly won the rights to publish Saw, the computer game based on the blockbusting horror movie series.

The game will be released around October on PC, XBOX 360 and PS3, at the same time as the release of the sixth movie.

It was questioned whether Saw would be released at all, after original publishers Brash Entertainment went out of business.

Konami has been involved with previous horror-action titles with the Silent Hill series.

Konami has secured the official UEFA Champions League licence for Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.

The deal means Konami can use the elements and features of the tournament to create an authentic game mode for the upcoming October title.

It is a major boost for the PES series, as it aims to add more official licences, from both teams and tournaments, as well as heating up the competition over the rival FIFA 09 title from Electronic Arts.

In previous years, Electronic Arts had released the official Champions League titles, separate from their FIFA releases.

Well, I’m a gamer in my 40’s now and I’m difficult to please. However after picking the latest Metal Gear Solid up (incarnation number 4) I have to say I am utterly impressed. I don’t mind the long movies in  between the action you see and once you get used to it you really do get drawn in. I’m enthusing so much because graphically and technically it is possibly one of the best games I have ever played, over Halo, over Doom in the early days. The engineering that has gone into the engine, the fine details in the story, it is utterly incredible. It’s going to take some beating. I’m not doing a review so this will remain short. But you have to marvel at what has been achieved here and I encourage anyone with a PS3 to get this game right now. It is stunning, and I’m only half way through. If you really want to see what next gen is about then simply get this game. It’s one of the most enjoyable to play and I’ve not got this excited about a game for a very long time.  Awesome.

Anticipation is building for the next editions in the FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series, with both titles due out around October.

The first trailer for Konami’s PES 2009 was released last Friday, and with Electronic Arts saying in a recent MCV interview that this year’s edition of FIFA will see a big range of improvements and features, fans of each game will make their mark when the titles are released.

Konami and EA will be battling for top-spot in the next few months - it should be good.

MTV is reporting that Konami has been imposing conditions on reviewers of MGS4, banning them from mentioning certain technical aspects like the size of the PS3 install and the length of the cut scenes.

Install sizes is something that’s being moaned about in general on PS3 - though personally I can’t see the problem, one main reason consoles got HDs at all was so they could operate as efficiently as a PC - while MGS’ huge cut scenes are infamous already. In short, it’s easy to see why Konami may not have wanted these features discussed in reviews.

Although Konami hasn’t confirmed the claims of ‘the gaming press’, EGM has gone so far as to refuse the game a rating in their five page review, stating the reason as “the limitations Konami wanted to impose on our comments.”

Oh dear, Konami - was it really worth it?

Gaming purists across the land are well aware that when it comes to the FIFA Vs Pro Evolution Soccer debate, the boys at Konami have been leading the game for some considerable time, and unlike say, struggling Tottenham (Goodbye Martin Jol by the way), aren’t about to throw away their substantial lead in a display of defensive incompetence anytime soon. 

The next installment in this sublime footy series (Number 7 for those still counting) is released today across all formats, and for anyone serious about their favourite sporting sim, should be snatched up like Kaka on a free - without delay. For those who really fancy themselves as a bit of a master player (there’s an awful lot of “large” going on amongst my game-playing friends I know) I suggest you head over to play.com where they’re running an exclusive promotion  that allows you to enter a massive online tournament kicking off later this year, with the top 32 qualifying players off to a World Cup Scenario staged someone glamorous (probably won’t be Selhurst Park then).

Oh, and did I mention there’s a £50,000 prize for the ultimate winner? Not that there’s really much point in you lot entering, since I’m pretty sure I’ll be waltzing off “Maradonna style” (pre-Flab and Drug Binges obviously), with that phat cash pot myself…