http://ps2.ign.com/articles/584/584498p1.html
8.5 Presentation
Traditionally Konami's weakest area has improved. Better menu flow, and an easier to understand front-end make a big difference navigating,
9.0 Graphics
Konami's best visuals yet in the series. Great animation, motion capture, and facial textures.
7.0 Sound
The lackluster and repetitive commentating is disappointing, to say the least. The music originates, I think, from an old barely-working elevator in a shoe store in Oldpersonville.
9.5 Gameplay
Incredible, lifelike soccer that's unique, deep, and sometimes just mind-boggling. The new moves, animations, on-field ref, and the improved Master League get me wet like a good porn mag.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
The lack of online play hurts a little, but this year's model is still so incredibly satisfying it doesn't matter. There's no real reason to ever stop playing.
9.4 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
"Konami's Winning Eleven series is a remarkable sports game. Year in and out the actual core gameplay, which has always been superb, inches along with new refinements, layers of play, and increased depth. This year's effort is no different than most for Konami in that Winning Eleven 8 offers the most realistic and mind-numbingly fun game of soccer on a videogame system.
While the core has improved and changed, the surface has too. The game's graphics on both the Xbox and PS2, are excellent. Great attention to detail was paid in motion capture, animation, character models, and textural work, especially on player faces.
It's disappointing the game isn't online, but it's not a deal breaker by any means. Winning Eleven 8's single-player Master League is enormously good fun, and with its expanded management tools and WE-Shop minigames, the game is easily worth $50. The one-on-one gameplay? Priceless. If you want to get in a serious grudge match with a friend, you have to play this game."
8.5 Presentation
Traditionally Konami's weakest area has improved. Better menu flow, and an easier to understand front-end make a big difference navigating,
9.0 Graphics
Konami's best visuals yet in the series. Great animation, motion capture, and facial textures.
7.0 Sound
The lackluster and repetitive commentating is disappointing, to say the least. The music originates, I think, from an old barely-working elevator in a shoe store in Oldpersonville.
9.5 Gameplay
Incredible, lifelike soccer that's unique, deep, and sometimes just mind-boggling. The new moves, animations, on-field ref, and the improved Master League get me wet like a good porn mag.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
The lack of online play hurts a little, but this year's model is still so incredibly satisfying it doesn't matter. There's no real reason to ever stop playing.
9.4 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
"Konami's Winning Eleven series is a remarkable sports game. Year in and out the actual core gameplay, which has always been superb, inches along with new refinements, layers of play, and increased depth. This year's effort is no different than most for Konami in that Winning Eleven 8 offers the most realistic and mind-numbingly fun game of soccer on a videogame system.
While the core has improved and changed, the surface has too. The game's graphics on both the Xbox and PS2, are excellent. Great attention to detail was paid in motion capture, animation, character models, and textural work, especially on player faces.
It's disappointing the game isn't online, but it's not a deal breaker by any means. Winning Eleven 8's single-player Master League is enormously good fun, and with its expanded management tools and WE-Shop minigames, the game is easily worth $50. The one-on-one gameplay? Priceless. If you want to get in a serious grudge match with a friend, you have to play this game."