Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (PS2) Review

Good Points
More licences
Better graphics then Pro Evolution Soccer 4
More thought out skill stick

Bad Points
No extra features
Slower than Pro Evolution Soccer 4
Bad commentary

General Comments
The godfather of football games returns then, and at a glance Pro Evolution Soccer 5 seems a lot better. It has more licences, better graphics, and more tricks then ever before. Even from the first match you play, you are likely to be shocked by the games new found fluidity. The older series titles felt very solid and rigid, moving in only 8 different directions with the d-pad, but now the game feels almost liquid to the touch; layers can now twist and turn more realistically, and this may prove a shock to older veterans of the game. Also, the game is slightly slower, and the new A.I. means you now get less space and time on the ball. This is all accompanied by the (as usual with PES) bad commentary supplied by Trevor Brooking. The R3 trick stick has been upgraded a bit too, allowing for more variation. Once you have played a few times though, the game grows massively on you, and the new licenced teams make the game more authentic, and if you have to have FIFA 2006 like realism, the edit mode has been kited out to allow almost every kit type this side of the Nike factory. The master has also been revamped, and players are now affected by a new and powerful being, time. Younger players now have a peak, and when they reach their peak, they will play like gods and have the games of their lives for 2 - 3 seasons, then they will play averagely, and within their limitations. Older players can still learn and get better, but will still get worse later on.



All in all this is a great game, although a few may be shocked by massive changes, and some may be shocked in places where the game hasn't developed at all.