Ahead of its European release this Friday, the first reviews of Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 are in, and it seems that the Japanese developer’s latest has pleased its fans.

CVG has scored the game 8.8/10, stating: “Despite the lack of movement regarding the new modes, licenses and Master League improvements, PES 2009 is still the game that will have you coming back for more. Rest assured, PES 2009 is back to its best on the pitch. Let's just hope that Konami can add some fresh ideas for next season.”

IGN was also complimentary of the title, adding: “There’s no doubting that PES 2009 is the most fun football game on the market. There’s a nagging feeling that this is merely the game that the past iterations should have been, but there’s no denying that it plays as good a game as ever – which means for the neutral, the choice of which game to pledge their allegiance to is as hard as ever. Those who choose to spend the next season in the company of PES won’t be disappointed.” It gave Konami’s latest 8.5/10.

Eurogamer was less positive in its review, however, giving the title 7/10 and concluding: “Should you stick with Konami, PES 2009 will grow on you. But the fact is that PES can only draw alongside FIFA in the areas where the Konami game is strong, falls short in others, and never could hope to compete on the glossier, contracts and lipstick side of sports game production that EA's ruled for years.”

The PS3 version of the game's overall Metacritic average currently stands at a respectable 86 per cent on its first day on the site.

EA’s FIFA 09 has also won over plenty of admirers this season, with its Metacritic average currently sitting at 89 per cent.