Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Game Review

The Pro Evolution Soccer series is renowned for its realism, and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is abundant with new gameplay additions.

Player AI has been massively upgraded, with players running intelligently into space when not in possession of the ball and pointing where they want the pass placed to continue the attack. Similarly, the physical side of play has been refined, with players working to turn a defender as they receive the ball, while defenders must learn to stand off slightly to prevent such moves.

Pro Evo 6 is the first time Konami's flagship title has appeared on a "next-generation" console, giving the developers ample opportunity to stretch the game into new directions for the Xbox 360.

Best Deals for Pro Evolution Soccer 6
		USA	UK
	PS2		£29.99
	Nintendo DS		£30.00
	PSP		£35.00
	Xbox 360		£39.99

The graphics have been given a high-definition gloss, yet remain far short of the photo-real revolution we come to expect.

The commentary remains lack-lustre, the menu system has been given a few tweaks but remains baffling to all but the very dedicated, and the online play is still a token gesture.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Improvements

Pro Evolution 6 is still the finest football title on any platform because it remains the most dynamic articulation of the 22-man game. Even minor changes to the way the game is played result in hours of agonising by hardened fans of the series.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 also has a number of new teams licensed for inclusion, with the International roster now featuring the official kits for Argentina, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Sweden. Details on official club teams and more national squads will follow.

The improvements are immediately obvious - no longer does the slightest hint of contact between players result in a foul; instead you can pressurise and contain opposition players without fear of undue free kicks.

The animations of all the players are startlingly real - with seemingly hundreds of variations for every conceivable pass, run, shot, stumble, dive, trip and soaring header.

Players run onto a ball with more realism, retaining momentum rather than careering into the nearest defender. The pace of passing seems to have picked up, with slick interplay now a reality and quick free kicks have also been introduced.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Lack of variety

There are more tricks and feints for the "show-boaters" to master - something that disconcerts a vocal section of Pro Evo fans - and crossing has improved greatly, resulting in far more goals from headers.

The biggest disappointment is the lack of variety with the online options, which offer basic match-making for one-versus-one games.

There is no option to play co-operatively, no league, or any of the depth offered by rival title Fifa 07.

But purists are unlikely to moan too much - for anyone who was in doubt, Pro Evolution remains the undisputed gold standard for videogame football.