Pro Evolution Soccer 5

The 2006 entry of the popular Football simulator by Konami

2006 was a good year for football simulators, Konami and EA both making entries into the genre and both being particularly strong entries. Pro Evolution Soccer 5 is the fifth in the series and a significant upgrade in both graphics, physics and presentation over previous entries. Originally released for Playstation 2 and PSP, the game has since been ported to Windows PC. it's notable as being the first of the series to provide online play options, originally through playstation online and now across the internet. Although the game is nearing ten years old, it still plays fairly well and is well worth looking into for football fans wanting to play with the teams and players of 2008.

Game Play

Some sports games only include an updated roster of players and teams for their annual release, but this isn't the case with pro Evolution Soccer 5. The teams and players have been updated and players can choose from one of three leagues, the Spanish, the Dutch and the Italian, and all the teams there in. Improvements to tactics include ability to have a second striker and the ability to change the kits available for the in game athletes to play with. Some of the best increases, however, is in the greater emphasis on tackling and stealing the ball. This emphasis speeds up the tempo of the game and makes it so the player doesn't have to rely on interceptions to the same extent. This speeds up the game significantly, increasing the entertainment value of this title.

Presentation

There's a vast improvement to the presentation and the ability of the player to edit the look and feel of the game. It may feel like a strange addition, the player has the ability to show his players with un-tucked shirts as well as showing off their underwear. the addition of snow is a nice touch, as well as seeing player's breath in cold weather. The package as a whole is well presented and matches the improved game play making this a very enjoyable foot ball simulator.

Pros

• Improved physics and tactics opens up the player's strategy compared with earlier titles
• Improved graphics and cosmetics compared with earlier titles

Cons

• This game is from 2006 and as such is fairly dated