Much like the Sports Interactive developed Football Manager series of strategy titles, Konami’s Pro Evo games have consistently offered up the most realistic game of footie.
No matter what those FIFA fans say, the feel of the Pro Evo out on the pitch is completely unrivalled. Yes, it might be slower, it might be more frustrating, hell, it even lacks most of the real club and player names, but it feels so damn good.
But with FIFA once again closing the gap, Konami really needs to come up with something special this time round. Particularly as this is the series’ first outing on Microsoft’s powerful pixel pushing Xbox 360.
They say:
Eurogamer: “Factor in some of the unpopular design decisions and it's hard not to think that the series has taken a noticeable step backwards at a time when EA's busy taking giant steps with FIFA. PES is still a great game, but whether it's the greatest anymore is a more contentious issue than ever.”
IGN: “We can’t help but feel a little disappointed with the presentation of the 360 version, especially in light of the great things EA achieved with FIFA 07. However, there’s no denying PES 6 is still a great – probably the best, in fact – football game on Xbox 360.”
Pro-G: “This year Konami can just about be forgiven for short changing Xbox 360 owners, but next year's game better be next gen.”
We say:
First off, we’re quite dismayed that Konami seem to have taken a leaf out of EA’s rulebook. We’re not talking about the lack of licenced teams – all of us are used to that by now. Our bone of contention is that the Xbox 360 version misses countless features that its PS2 based cousin takes for granted.
Xbox 360 gamers will find themselves unable to edit any of the teams or players. So you’re stuck with Owan up front alongside that wonder kid Wayne Raanie from the off. Raanie? Doesn't he hail from Bootle?
Equally as galling are the lack of excellent ‘training challenges’ that you could easily lose a whole weekend to. Plus, the inability to save replays – something the manual claims you can do easily – is a bit of a disappointment for those who love to gloat for weeks on end about that 30 yard screamer.
The differences continue out on the pitch, though this time slightly in the 360’s favour. While the PS2 version feels like a tweaked version of PES5, the 360 matches feel much more physical with players barging each other around like a true game of football.
The 360 version’s camera can be zoomed out much further too, even to the point of getting practically half the pitch on screen at any one time. Just count the passing opportunities – PS2 gamers eat your heart out.
Each player actually feels like an individual, with tricky wingers having a much higher success rate with dazzling runs than your big lump of a centre back. Watching Rooney (sorry Raanie) barge his way past centre backs while Owen crumbles under the slightest touch makes things feel much more realistic.
Despite the flaws, this is still by far the best football game out there at the moment. Whether you go for the PS2 or Xbox 360 version is entirely down to you, but whichever you go for, you’re still playing the best out there.
Calling Xbox 360 gamers across the country. Cross your fingers for a proper next gen version next year.
Like this? Try these:
Football Manager 2007 - PC
Sensible World of Soccer - PC
New Star Soccer 3 - PC
FORMAT REVIEWED
Xbox 360
OTHER FORMATS
PS2, PSP, PC and DS
POSTED...
Tue 31 Oct 2006 at 8:50pm
