Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (PS2)

Pro Evolution Soccer has established itself as the football game of choice among discerning PS2 owners. With each new addition to the series, Konami makes major improvements to the gameplay and graphics. Pro Evolution Soccer 3 is no exception; it really is miles better than Pro Evolution Soccer 2.

The first thing you'll notice in this third instalment is how much more lifelike it is. Not only are the graphics much more detailed, but the player animation is now realistically fluent and the ball behaves as an actual Size 5 would. Squint and you really will think you're watching Sky Sports.

Pro Evolution Soccer 3's gameplay is perfectly balanced. Whatever your favoured way of playing the Beautiful Game (total football or long ball, it's up to you) Pro Evolution Soccer 3 accommodates that preference. Controls are sharp and responsive, and with the right combination of button presses it's possible to perform just about any manoeuvre or trick in Real Madrid's repertoire. That's how comprehensive this simulation is.

As a single-player experience, Pro Evolution Soccer 3 is a far sight more challenging than its predecessors were: the Master League mode is expanded still further and the artificial intelligence is a tough nut to crack. And, as was expected, this third game in the series takes multiplayer PlayStation 2 gaming to new heights. --Jonti Davies

"Mesmerising. 95%."

"The core gameplay has been tweaked to perfection... the best footie game on any console. 97%."

As befits a series widely regarded as the definitive football experience for console, Pro Evolution Soccer 3 represents a mammoth step forward; every aspect of the game has been massively reworked, with new player models, on and off-the-ball moves and key additions to the Master League incorporated into the new game. The game's menu screens have been simplified to cater for the wealth of new modes on offer--in addition to cup tournaments, friendly matches and a new, four-division Master League, there's now a Shop element to the game. This adds additional depth to the series, as players accumulate points via the training and exhibition modes. These in turn can be traded for new stadiums, crowd effects, teams, players, strategies and hair styles, rewarding the player for prolonged play.

Over 80 per cent of the in-game animations have been renewed, and a new graphics engine allows the greatest level of detail seen in the series--meaning players that not only look identical to their real-life counterparts, but move like them, too. Similarly, the players have improved AI and ball physics that allows them to pull off moves specific to particular situations. As such, long-range drives are now more controllable than before, while players can flick the ball over a defender with their heel and perform deft turns to bypass oncoming defenders. Other features include a multi-player mode accommodating up to eight players, referees playing the advantage in foul situations, the option to control one player as opposed to switching between them, and new modes to select referees and switch fatigue on and off.

Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (PS2).