Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Review

The latest match-up between Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer and EA Sports FIFA series kicks off once again, but with fans loyalty equally divided, it seems there's little scope for either side to achieve a comprehensive victory. With promises of vast improvements to FIFA 07 on the Xbox 360, can Shingo 'Seabass' Takatsuka and his team produce a worthy next-gen entrance for the superlative series, or we'll we have to wait just that little bit longer?

Featuring the customary 'Match', 'League', 'Cup', 'Xbox Live (Network)', and the quintessential 'Master League' options, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 follows FIFA 07 lead onto the next-generation with a stripped down assortment of content. The essential Edit functions are sorely missing for those that like to make amends for the lack of licenses (PS2 owners get USB keyboard support), along with the 'PES Shop' and the removal of Saved Replays, which seems slightly bemusing given their inclusion in the game's manual! Further omissions between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation2 versions include the 'International Challenge', 'Step-by-Step' Training modes and the refined squad settings such as the 'Simple Settings' option.

Stepping onto the pitch, one of the most noticeable changes to the overall pace and tempo of the game is the decision to reduce the number of fouls that occur compared to Pro Evolution Soccer 5. Just being in the proximity of a player no longer attracts the attention of the whistle-happy ref, which tends to emphasise the physical nature of the game such as knowing how to shield the ball correctly. Reportedly after the World Cup, Seabass and his team decided to reduce the effectiveness of passing for lower strength teams, as a result it's slightly harder to turn defence into attack with a few well timed passes, instead placing the importance on tactically building up the play or a quick counter-attack.

With enough tinkering to make even Rafa Benitez green with envy, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 contains enough of the customary little changes to carry on the tradition of making the best just that little much better. Replacing the 'Medium Sprint' from last year's version with a 'Slow Dribble & Special Commands' button, slows down the tempo of the game considerably, switching the importance to beating opponents with slinky skill or physical strength. Like many of the changes throughout the series it takes some getting used to, but eventually the reasons become clear and in traditional fashion becomes yet another tactical stroke of genius by Seabass as he strives for perfection. There's an improved sense of flow between controlling the ball and launching into a run as a result of the change, though the game's slower pace tends to put the emphasis largely on players with good dribbling attributes such as Ronaldo, Rosicky and Saviolato to accomplish this effectively.

When it comes to instilling the sense of individuality and authenticity to each player, there is still nothing finer then Pro Evo with its pages and pages of player attributes, special techniques, and animations. FIFA may be making improvements, but still comes short compared to Pro Evo, whether it's Ferdinand organising the defence or Ibrahimovic holding up the ball, something that it seems to achieve with stylish conviction every season.

Featuring Arsenal and Machester United from the Premier League (bye bye Chelsea), the selection of officially licensed leagues in Pro Evolution Soccer 6 includes, the French Ligue 1; Italian Serie A; the Dutch Eredivisie; Liga Espanola and an assortment of other clubs in the Other leages A and B options. It's still an area where FIFA excels, though this year's stipped down FIFA makes the factor less significant then ever before. Strangely the game still has it's share of quirks, such as Rooney not featuring in the England starting line-up - surely schoolboy errors for anybody with a passing knowledge of football.

Despite the promise of advanced AI Pro Evolution Soccer 6 on the Xbox 360 remains very similar to the PlayStation2 and PC versions. With tactics and strategy a major factor to Pro Evolution Soccer, it seems as though the series has gone as far as it can go in this area until the next leap presumably takes place with next year's version. Although it's hard to fault Pro Evo's AI, which continuously creates a believable and entertaining game of football, there are times when you're left shouting at a striker for running back when a quick tackle leads to a counter-strike opportunity.

Pro Evolution Soccer remains the finest recreation of the beautiful sport on a virtual pitch, with the customary depth through ball control, dribbling, passing and shooting, as enjoyable and satisfactory as ever - FIFA may be making improvements across the board, but there's still nothing to top the exhilaration of beating a defender with an elegant quick feint before launching a 30 yard screamer into the top corner!

Despite its obvious merits there's still a tinge of disappointment that Pro Evolution Soccer 6 doesn't mark the true next-generation debut of the legendary franchise. Although the game's presentation is markedly improved, it seems as though we'll have to wait until Pro Evolution Soccer 7 marks its appearance on the PlayStation3 before we really see what Seabass can muster with the next-generation.