With Fall settling in, you can expect the usual bumper crop harvest of annual sports sims to come our way. One of these titles include Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, which has been confirmed to be released this October 17 on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC.

As expected, the game will once again make use of a fully-licensed UEFA Champions League mode. In addition, the publishers have also signed up with several Premier League club - Liverpool and Manchester United - giving PES 2009 the distinction as the official video game of the England national team, with Wembley featured as one of the new playable grounds.

PES team leader Jon Murphy made comparisons with their biggest rival from EA, the FIFA franchise. He was quoted having said that "they still have a long way to go before they can match the intuitive and absorbing gameplay of Pro Evolution Soccer".

He also added that, aside from the newly licensed clubs, PES 2009 will have several other additions which should place it above similar games of its type. These include improved AI, new control methods, a graphical overhaul, and key online enhancements.

The cover of this year's game will feature FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Other releases of PES 2009 for the PS2 and PSP will follow shortly after the console and PC versions, while a Wii title will also be due out next Spring.

---

Related articles:

• Leipzig: video game awardees for Best of Show in GC 2008
• New UEFA Euro 2008 gameplay videos