Pro Evolution Soccer 2

Outside of the matches, the training mode has also been improved to help you actually learn from it, rather than just shooting at keepers. And one of the biggest changes is the master league, that now comprises of 3 divisions instead of 2, to make a bigger challenge, and players cost more, making it harder to get a championship winning side together. Of course the European version is to be released later and so small additions probably will be made, player names, and likenesses being the most likely.

Last November the Pro Evolution series came to the PS2, and finally FIFA's dominance began to slip away. More and more people began to realise whtat they had been missing out on. Even now, 9 months on, PES remains in the top 20 charts. Of cause now there is a sequal coming, and it promises to be even better.

PS2er's who are lucky enough to have played the import of Winning Eleven 6 will know just how good PES2 is going to be. A few of the new features to note are:

- A brand new 3rd division in the popular Master League mode

- 8 new club teams (including Aston Villa, Celtic and Rangers)

- Over 50 National Teams including all of those from this years World Cup

- Much improved commentary over the appaling Chris James and Terry Butcher (most likely will be John Champion and Mark Lawrencen)

- Even smoother animations, with special "signature" moves for certain players (i.e. David Beckham dragging his left foot under his right when taking a free kick)

- Tweaked gameplay giving an extra feeling of control

- Ability to modify almost everything, including Kits, Flags and ALL Players names. You can also now create up to 10 custom teams

These new and improved features are more than enough to make PES2 a MUST purchase for all true football fans. But be warned, if you are new to the series, don't be put of by the seemingly comlicated play. All PES games must be played for at least a month before the pleasure comes. If you have never played before you will probably find that you won't win any matches for at least a couple of days, even on the easiest difficulty. But soon enough you will begin to master the realistic style of the game, and pass the ball to create chances instead of just racing down the field with one player and shooting (like you would in FIFA). Once you get the hang of the game, I guarantee you won't ever look back, and you won't stop playing PES2 until PES3 comes out.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (PES2) has improved upon both looks and gameplay.

Anyone who has played PES will know how addictive it is and how it's in a league of it's own because of it's superior gameplay. Anyone who has played PES since the day of it's release last year, will also know that there was still a degree of clunkiness in the game. PES2 has ironed out almost every niggle and added many great new features.

If you need your players faces to look exactly accurate and you need kits with actual sponsors names, there are other games in which eye-candy abounds.

If you want the most addictive, most realistic and gripping PS2 football experience on the planet, Pro Evolution Soccer 2 is a must-have. The realism has to be experienced to be believed.

I have heard MANY accounts of players who have migrated to the PES series. I have NEVER heard of a single gamer abandoning it for it's competition.