Pro Evolution Soccer 2

Pro Evolution Soccer was the best footy game ever, and what you want to know is: does this sequel better it? Thankfully, it does. The first thing that strikes you about Pro Evolution Soccer 2--an anglicised version of the Japanese Winning Eleven 6--is how much faster it is, not just in terms of the pace of your players but also their ability to turn more sharply when receiving the ball. In another clear attempt to up the tempo of the game, which some more arcade-orientated gamers complained was too slow and fiddly, players now recover much more quickly when they lose the ball--so there's no waiting around for them to have a slice of orange before they deign to take part in the match again. And they need to be a bit sharper on their pins because it's now much more difficult to tackle and conversely you have a lot more control when dribbling the ball. There are other minor changes, such as a slightly odd new horizontal camera option, but basically this is bigger, better and more. Just in case you've forgotten, that's bigger, better and more of the best football game ever, so if you like your footy you really will want to be purchasing this. --David Jenkins

"Better than the original, better than all its rivals... if you're into football games it's time to shell out. 9/10."

"Every time a new version arrives it's subtly, yet fundamentally, better. Pro Evo 2 is no exception. 9/10."

Pro Evolution Soccer made every feint, pass and through-ball of the real thing possible, and its sequel ups the ante even further. Every aspect of the game has been refined or reworked, with Pro Evolution Soccer 2 now benefiting from three distinct dribbling styles, while shooting, turning, close control and passing have also been tuned to make them more individual and realistic. To ensure its digital versions of the world's top stars react and play as they should, Pro Evolution Soccer 2's players have all been designed with over 25 skill factors taken into account. Each is rated in areas such as attacking nature, balance, stamina, strength and shot and pass accuracy, each of which endow the players with differing abilities and playing styles. Similarly, the game's "Player Create" option allows fans to recreate their favourite players for use in the game, determining their appearance and performance using the aforementioned attributes, while also highlighting a further 19 specific key skills and abilities. Newly created players can then be implemented in the sequel's Master League season.

Arguably the most popular aspect of the original game, Pro Evolution Soccer 2's "Master League" competition enjoys many new features. A third division has been added to the two of the original game, while Konami has also implemented a contract system wherein game players now negotiate with their virtual players if they want to add to their squad. Cup games now take place during the Master League season and squad rotation has become key to a successful season as players protect the fitness of their squad. Other new additions include an extensive training mode, while the game's huge array of options allow users to tailor every aspect of the game to their taste-–even down to designing their own club badges and kits.

Witness the resurrection! Pro Evolution Soccer 2 is here and according to die-hard football fans, all areas of the press and online experts it's by far and away the best football action game ever released! Pro Evolution Soccer 2 is the eagerly awaited successor to a game that has rewritten the rules for football simulation titles and created a new and immense benchmark for others to try to imitate. In short, it is the world-class football title. Prepare yourself for a game the like of which you've never experienced before.All in all, there are 54 teams available, plus another 7 hidden classic teams. In the Master League, the number of teams has been increased from 24 to 32 and, in contrast to the game's predecessor; each squad now has 32 players instead of 24. Game modes include a single-player game, league mode, cup mode, Master League, training and an editing suite as well as all the usual options.Even more realistic and true to life - the Konami-owned development studio has made improvements to all aspects of the game's motion capture data. From quick turns, precise shots and fast attacks - the movements of the players are more smooth and fluent than ever before. Konami has also increased the number of player animations by more than 100%. In order to make the virtual counterparts of the world famous football stars as real and true to life as possible, the players in Pro Evolution Soccer 2 were programmed with more than 25 various characteristics, including aggression, balance, stamina, shot power or pass accuracy.Moreover, there are a certain number of limited skills available for the players, which can be assigned and changed for each player individually. Is the player strong in midfield or as a striker? Are penalty kicks his forte, or maybe throw-ins? Is he good at tackling or dribbling? It's not just the outfield players that have become sharper and cleverer as the artificial intelligence of the goalkeepers has been improved to make the reactions of the goalies more realistic.In many cases, the players in PES2 will mimic the characteristics and skills of the original player he has been modeled on, such as unique free kicks or celebrations. All these elements combine to make players with completely different and, therefore, true-to-life skills and ways of playing.In the new game, the players move around the park with more realism and speed. Likewise, the multi-player mode - which has been one of the central features of its predecessors - has also been changed to look even more fluid and gripping. The increased playing speed allows for more effective and aggressive attacks etc.PES2 now includes three different dribbling options, while the shot and pass system has been re-designed to allow for even more individual and realistic movements. Precise passing is the key feature of any decent soccer simulation. And this is where PES2 scores, with its many different pass varieties, including the pass into open space. Furthermore, just like on a real pitch, great importance is being attached to extensive play on the wings, and again PES2 offers various opportunities for high-class wing play.The free kick function, too, has been improved. If instructed, one or several players will jump or detach themselves from the wall to stop the ball. PES2 offers more fun than ever, whether on the attack or on the defense, with players tugging on each other's shirts. But beware if tackling gets too rough: the game also includes more lifelike reactions after a foul or an injury and players will be punished by relevant suspensions.Furthermore, the newly designed Master League with its four difficulty levels contains a huge range of surprise features. For example, Konami TYO have implemented a new, third league as well as a new contract system, which the player must use for negotiations with various players. This feature offers completely new aspects. It might well be, for instance, that a good player decides after a devastating season to change to a new club.Moreover, there will be cup-ties during the Master League season. And one of the keys to success will be player rotation within the team during a season, when, for example, you might want to rest a star player or employ him in special tactics or strategies.The training mode, too, has been redesigned to include free training (to practice passes and shots without an opponent), a tutorial and a highly motivating Umbro Pro Training Center. The latter allows you to execute pinpoint passes and free kicks, take part in high speed dribbling drills, and general team play to score points and earn rewards for finishing as the top point scorer.The enormous breadth of options allows the player to change almost any separate aspect according to his wishes - including the design of the club badges and outfits. You're dissatisfied with the hairstyle of one of your players? No problem - why don't you just make a few simple adjustments until you're happy with how your star looks. And finally, there's the Player Create option, which allows you to create players with absolutely unique characteristics in terms of appearance and special skills. These newly created players can then be implemented into the new Master League. Get down to business in the 14 stadiums - with painstakingly reworked and improved background graphics and sounds. Enjoy a realistic stadium atmosphere - choose either fan chants and catcalls, or two original Queen tracks: "We will rock you" and "We are the Champions". The game also offers an amazing variety of additional options: should the match be played during daytime or at night? Should the level be easy or difficult? Should there be breaks in play due to injuries and the substitution of players or not? Rain? Sun? Golden goal? Home match or away match?But this is just the start for Pro Evolution Soccer. In the future, the developers intend to make each virtual player as unique as possible. To provide the players at the console with the whole range of what they are able to do in reality, so that soccer at the console will offer all the opportunities it offers in real life. Thus, in time, the developers want to create the perfect soccer simulation, and, with PES2, they are well on their way!

Pro Evolution Soccer 2.