About Judy

As WP's managing editor, I edit review and preview articles, attempt to keep up with the frantic pace of Rainier's news posts, and keep our reviewers on deadline, which is akin to herding cats. When I have a moment to myself and don't have my nose in a book, I like to play action/RPG, adventure and platforming games.

Advertising

As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.





'Winning Eleven 8' (PS2/Xbox/PC) - Screens

by Judy on Aug. 23, 2004 @ 3:03 p.m. PDT

Winning Eleven 8 once again raises the bar with in-depth gameplay, improved realism and increased control. Featuring 136 club teams and 57 national teams, Winning Eleven 8 offers gamers control of up to 4,500 of the world's greatest soccer players. The inclusion of licensed leagues is a huge step forward for the series, with player likenesses, player names and official kits, bolstering what is already considered the most advanced and realistic soccer game to date.

The game features more teams, players and stadiums than ever before, including all the teams from the Italian, Spanish and Dutch leagues under the official license.

The world's biggest stars are brought to life through photo realistic graphics and authentically modeled features, as well as individual styles of play, movement and ball control. Additionally, the game will introduce a wealth of new moves and tricks including new free kick and penalty kick techniques, an innovative indirect free kick move and a new dribbling system that offers more control as gamers go one-on-one and try to pass opposing players. Teaming up with these new features will be more advanced player stats that govern every aspect of their play, including how well players can bring a ball under control, hit it past an encroaching defender or flick it to a teammate.

Further adding to the excitement of the game, Winning Eleven 8 will also feature the first-ever on-screen referee in the history of the series. Boasting an enhanced ref AI, the referee will run up and down the field reacting realistically and instinctively to fouls, giving advantage for minor infringements and even stepping in to calm things down when the action gets heated.

Taking the series to a new playing field, Winning Eleven 8 features improvements on a number of options in the game. An enhanced training mode allows beginners to learn the basics of soccer as well as to help gamers master the vast depth of play. In addition, Winning Eleven 8 features improvements to the popular Master League, which now has more strategy through player development and injury, and a new 'My Best Eleven' option so fans can save their greatest teams.

Winning Eleven 8 will be released for multiple video game consoles and PC in spring 2005.