Pro Evolution Soccer 6
Hands-on with near-complete PS2 and 360 builds.
Like Raul and Real Madrid, Henry and Arsenal, or Liverpool and the most league championships won by any English club, Pro Evolution Soccer's gameplay and graphics are inextricably linked. PES6, due out on PS2, PC and Xbox 360 on 27th October, proves the point better than any version since the series' inception - as we learned during a few hours in its fine company earlier this week.
With each new iteration, gaps are filled in both as one - sharper response from the controls is matched by visibly sharper responses from the players; better shielding controls and a more physical element to holding up the ball are met by finer-tuned collision detection and heightened manoeuvrability in small spaces; more fluid passing falls in step with Cruyff-style heel-passes and deft little flicks to keep the ball moving. Even the fact that the weather can go from sun to rain or vice versa in the course of one match is more than a cosmetic distinction - with playing conditions altered visibly, so too is ball behaviour, while players find less purchase beneath their feet and take longer to turn at speed. It's nice to see. (As it is to feel, obviously.)
Sorry. But you'll forgive us for launching straight into the gritty details - it's hard not to. The period immediately following the release of each new edition of PES or Winning Eleven, its Japanese counterpart, involves extensive dissection, as we bounce around its re-lacquered surfaces working out how and where it's shifted and been added to. To the untrained eye it often appears much the same, and even the trained eye can have difficulty discerning things immediately - but without fail the truth outs once you start trying to play football with it. It's that which distinguishes PES' titular evolution from other sports games like Tiger Woods. To come back to where we came in, it's like a team that appoints a new coach every six months, and suddenly plays entirely differently.
With that come certain foibles. The aforementioned through-the-legs heel passes are unrealistic in their ubiquity, some things never change (like the antiquated throw-ins and corner systems), and graphically things vary in quality (Robbie Fowler, for example, is virtually unrecognisable - unless you're trying to recognise him as Ross Kemp). But we'll ignore those issues for now, since this is preview country, and you know all about them anyway. So: for every Robbie Fowler, there's a Ronaldo, or a Rooney, looking more convincing than ever. The number of licences is much greater too, albeit mostly on the continent - EA maintains a stranglehold over German and English licences, for example, although Manchester United does finally make it in. But, as has often been the case, it's almost moot - with well known players easily identified by their movement and carriage.

In high-resolution and widescreen, the Xbox 360 offers PES' smoothest visuals ever.
But we've seen and played both the PS2 and Xbox 360 versions, and on 360 the graphical story is slightly different. From the menuing inward, it's all been sanded down to a smooth grain, with barely a single rough edge evident anywhere. On the pitch - the San Siro, for example, with its beautifully textured and convincingly sandy playing surface - this can be quite disconcerting. True widescreen narrows the player-models for those of us who've spent the last few versions playing in stretched 4:3. Coupled with that, it makes for a very different aesthetic, with the same negative connotations you might attach to FIFA's next-gen efforts - the closer you get to realism, the more noticeable the gaps are. It'll take getting used to, although the benefits of more extreme clarity are, in PES' case, probably worth it. And at least nobody looks like they stepped straight out of Doom III.
Going back to PS2, collision detection in general has improved, striking an interesting contrast with the lessening of actual player collisions. Some disliked intently the manner in which PES5 penalised players for pressing, and while that still occurs it's in greatly reduced quantities, and circumstances that seem more legitimate. The game's handling of fouls in general improves - they've sorted the problem in WE10 where every attempt to round the goalkeeper seemed to result in your being upended with no foul given. Physical stature plays a larger role now, with Tevez, for example, who has speed and a decent build able to tear through weaker defences, while players like Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo find it easier to beat players, but harder to remain upright against strong centre-backs, however much they weave. Meanwhile, a well-timed slide tackle is now as useful as in real-life - clinching a block or robbing an attacker of the ball, and often, in the case of head-on slides, allowing you to push through and out the other side of the challenge whilst retaining possession, rather than having the ball simply spin away to another player.

The PS2 version is more traditional visually, but that doesn't mean it's not a massive improvement - largely in terms of animations.
Taking advantage of loose balls and counter-attacks demands more poise and intelligence in passing than ever. To match that, your fellow professionals now work more convincingly off the ball, darting into space. The days of watching a player stand waiting to receive the ball are almost completely gone. To help keep the game moving, you can now use quick free-kicks too; hit L1 and R1 together when fouled, and you can often pass on upfield rather than having to line up with the entire opposing team ahead of you, as used to be the case. Similarly, the advantage rule continues to let you make progress, although this time it's a more traditional interpretation, and there's no icon in the top of the screen to remind you if it's active; here the ref will hold things over for much longer, and go back to book players for quite some time before, with helpful replays to remind you of your sins.
All of which gives you a decent enough grounding in the middle of the park action - or what we experienced of it this week - but improvements are also marked in front of goal. For example, improvements in (er) marking, with a greater emphasis on precision in striker positioning than in past years - particularly important on crosses. Push and pull using the R2 button to shield the ball plays a bigger role, with improved close control, while snap shots are effective again but require more skill to tee up successfully, which feels like a good balance. Similarly, the ball is less prone to blazing into the top tiers of the stand, but more inclined to go wide if you're not careful about your set-up. And when you do hit the target, you may still find that the keeper gets to it, as goalies have been tweaked to do a bit better than they did in WE10, where they were notably calamitous.

Watching players jink and move, it's clear that Konami's talent lies in uncovering that spark of personality in each manoeuvre, and successfully conveying it.
Not a criticism you could really direct at PES6 in any shape right now. Review code should be with us in the next couple of weeks, we're told, so it won't be long before we learn more about this year's Master League, the International Challenge mode, unlockables and how the team balance has shifted, and are able to put some of our observations to the longer term test. We're also keen to see how Xbox Live modes have been implemented, with that still off-limits to us in our preview build. One thing we did manage to look at though was achievements; there were 23, with the majority given over to victory in individual leagues (English, French, Spanish, etc.) and a few others for one, 10 and 20 online ranked-match participations. And, well, it might sound like a small thing, but being able to pause the game and see at a glance who's scored is bound to go down well.
In a game where few changes beyond that are instantly tangible, it might be tempting to argue that the new PES rarely improves significantly; it's just that our affection for the old one wanes. Well, that's partly true - in the same sense that we couldn't work out how Man United were ever going to not win the league during the '90s, and we worried that Arsenal's unbeaten run would go on forever. It takes the next best-thing-ever to put the current one into context, and I suppose the point is best illustrated by the fact that we were happily playing PES5 until a few weeks ago, but that upon heading home after an afternoon in PES6's company, it felt stilted, arthritic, awkward and unrealistic. And yes, we'll probably be saying the same thing about this in 12 months' time - but for now, we really couldn't care less. Bring on the 27th.
Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is due out on PS2, Xbox 360 and PC this 27th October in Europe, with DS and PSP versions to follow later this year.
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Comments (70) Latest comment 5 years ago
Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!
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Me thinks the reason the Xbox live modes are still under wraps is because we're going to get the same as PES5. No online leagues, No Tournaments and head to head matches only.
EDIT: damn in the time it took me to type 2 lines!
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Playing Pro Evo for 12 months didn't realise it was this time of year already.
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Cristiano Ronaldo finds it hard to remain upright against a blade of grass.
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Are volleys any easier? I think volleys less than 30m out were perfect in PES 5, but from farther out they are far too likely to hit the post and bounce away, almost like it's fixed. I had a 46m Super Cancel volley by S.Reid of Blackburn hit the crossbar last night and I'm gonna be depressed about that one for a while.
Rumours are afoot that the German teams are out entirely, apart from the licensed Bayern Munich.
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Why the hell have they STILL not fixed the throw-ins?
Anyone who played PES6 on the PS2 and then on the 360 (I played it in Leipzig) saw it's a completely different game with a greatly changed feel and pace. This preview does nothing to highlight that - in fact, it gives the feeling that it's basically the same game on the 360 as on the PS2 with different graphics. This is simply not true.
Can you give examples?
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The pressing fouls would be a big relief, it annoyed me no end when I started playing and even now I still keep giving away free kicks waaaay to often.
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but I'm still looking forward to putting this in my 360 very much! is SC: DA coming out the same day?
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I guess I'm the same. You see, I like playing FPS games but I'm somewhat reticent to the idea of picking up a real bag o' guns and going on a rampage.
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"Can you give examples?"
Indeed. The collision detection between players is much improved due to a much greater number of animations. The pace is very much different - slower, more thoughtful. I've played the thing for 3 matches (waited in line like crazy) and it's definitely a different beast than PES6. There much more attention given to tactics. In short, in plays (even?) more like real football, much moreso than PES5 and PES6 (demo), and especially moreso than Winning Eleven 10 which was a fast arcade travesty.
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That said, I can't wait to play the new one. Will be preordering asap.
Here's a question for all you Pro Evo advocates; if FIFA 2008 was somehow better than Konami's next effort, how many of you could swallow your pride and switch? I, for one, am not sure that I could...
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http://hosted. filefront.com/Feanor5503
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this sounds awesome. if you're right then it makes me feel better about buying what I thought was just going to be a spit and polish port
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Glad to hear you say that. It's often hard to read a preview of a forthcoming PES and totally trust that the author is coming from the same perspective as yourself. I know Winning Eleven is briefly mentioned in the preview, but when I see "...we were happily playing PES5 until a few weeks ago" towards the end of the article, I can't relate to it in the same way. Winning Eleven 10 was released on the 27th of April, that's 6 months worth of playing time it's received prior to PES6's arrival, so the author is clearly not coming from the same angle as those who import the game if he's mentioning PES5 being the favourite just weeks previously. I appreciate the PAL version is the one most people will have played last, but for Winning Eleven fans it's the differences from that edition that they want to know about.
I also agree that WE10 was far more arcadey than PES5, which let's face it didn't allow for nearly as much freedom of movement and expression in your play. It's good to hear it's been tightened up, and slown down a bit. It's also good to hear that it plays differently from the PS2 version, even if every video I've seen suggests next to no new animations from Winning Eleven 10...
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He talked Robbie Fowler being a player he really liked. Shame he didn't get the graphics team to sort out his likeness then!!!
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@BlackCelebration:
No it wasn't a travesty, in fact many elements were better than PES5, but it's also got a lot of problems in that it's too attack-biased.
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I wasn't, I stopped playing PES5 when it turned out to be a small square on a big wide HD screen.
Letting Tom review PES6 will be like allowing someone to be on the panel of a beauty contest when their daughter is a contestant.
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Isn't winning eleven supposed to be very similar to pro evo? Having said that i hope that pro evo 6 builds on it, because if anyone has played (or downloaded it ;P) you will see what a great game of footie WE10 is.
EDIT: infact looking at the videos of Pro Evo 6 the animations looks exactly the same.
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<a href="http://www.x boxyde.com/news_3637_en.html
">http://www.x boxyde.com/news_3637_en.html
</a>
makes it seem like a faster arcadey verison of pes5. I disliked pes5 at first, but after extended play the slower, realistic change proved to be really good. Even the pressing fouls sensitivity at least made you time your tackles with more care.
Obviously it's only until we play it and spend time with it that the changes become apparent, but the vid is still a bit underwhelming.
I agree with the earlier comment about Fifa 07 360,
<a href="http://www.x boxyde.com/news_3635_en.html
">http://www.x boxyde.com/news_3635_en.html
</a>
it looks a blatant pes lift. The animations are similar, even player sizes. They've also got the same advantage sign on the top right, stuff like that. They've pesified it, rather than making their own unique interpretation of football.
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Roll on the 27th tho! Can't fucking wait.
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About WE10 being fast and arcadey: I'm sorry, but it's hard to miss. Dribbling was way too powerful, better players could zip past defenders who were left in the dust (I'm talking Adriano vs. Terry here, not Adrian vs. Some Poor Schmuck From Bundeslinga 2) ... It's a cool game for those who like that sort of stuff, but I didn't like it at all since I prefer a slower, more tactical game of footy. That's why I'm so excited about PES6 on the 360.
About FIFA vs. PES: this year it's a much closer call, which is definitely good. Yes FIFA has been PESified, but it retains its own feel. Of course, we've yet to see how it stacks up against PES6, not PES5 ...
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Ha-ha, Brilliant.
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just turn the resolution down to 480p, normal screen setting (not wide) and voila! full screen(ish)
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Finally the chance to update the database through user created content? You know it makes sense, Seabass. Make it happen!
(Even though I'm sure it will not happen anytime soon)
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+1
I'd love to know what's in the online mode this year for PS2...
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Why is the Master League so abysmal?
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Lack of teams, lack of leagues, lack of functions, no job changing or sacking, no press or fan feedback or anything, there's just very limited longevity or fun involved in the master league.
With Fifa07 for example, I can manage my favourite team Sheffield Wednesday, compete in both cups, get promotion from the championship, qualify for Europe, or of course as in real life do really badly and get relegated to Division 1
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Master League is also like a RPG in ways where you can raise the stats of you're characters to create God Like characters who have been on steroids love playing hyped up stated team against my cousins hyped stated up team.
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Not in FIFA 07 on the 360 you can't as EA didn't have the time to include all 27 leagues from the last-gen versions. The 360 version has just 6 leagues, the top ones from six countries in Europe including the Premiership and sadly no Championship, no Division 1 and no Division 2.
Otherwise I'd still agree with you that FIFA's Career mode is far better than Pro Evo's Master League and as a solo player that is the reason I now only buy FIFA whereas I used to buy both upto FIFA 2005/PES 4.
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I cannot wait for this game, I hope the move to a new, next gen platform doesn't impede the 360 version in any significant way because that's what I'll be getting, the improvements sound great. The point about the older version seeming dated shortly after playing the latest is so true.
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'The free kicks better not be broken still FFS!'
'choo talking about? PES Free kick taking is an art!
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For instance a little mole tells me that Eurogamer didn't even both turning up to this week's FIFA 360 press day. So what chance of ever getting objective opinions of both games here? Fan boys r us.
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"As always, all you're paying for here are some minor updates, a couple of simplistic new modes, and that new season / franchise data. Unless you're an absolute addict, there's no need for this game. If you are an absolute addict, there are better games out there. If you insist on buying this, just remember; if you want to play any multiplayer, in a year's time you'll probably have to buy another one. 7/10"
Except perhaps for the "there are better games out there" section.
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Oi! He's Aussie....therefore doen't dive, he just gets called up for more fouls than Italians...!
I've been playing pro evo since the first one on ps2 and have loved them all, until the new one comes out. This year I bought FIFA 07 after playing the demo...and am absolutely loving it! For once PES has real competition...and its a damn good thing.
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Now that'd be realism!
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there, I said it.
I will still buy his games
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henry and arsenal - present
liverpool and league championships - past
haha at liverpool fans living in the 80's.
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Haha, I was referring to the Italian national player running away from him, of course
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u wrote a preview for pes6 but no preview and now review for fifa 07
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Love PES in all its incarnations - if they sort out online then I will be happy.
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PES5 was a tremendous let down for 'petty' reasons. We still prefer PES4 for our multiplayer entertainment because the constant fouls cause everyone to shout abuse and chuck controllers around! But I have stuck with it for single player and really enjoy it.
I'm just hoping that 'radar' linesman and stupid foul counts are addressed in PES6.
And that someone can produce a stunning downloadable option file. There's fantastic talent in the editing field and I fully appreciate the effort that well known names have put in - increasing my enjoyment of PES5 beyond the un-licensed barrier! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO'VE SLAVED OVER OPTION FILES. I luv ya all!
PES is so good and so different every game. Captures the beautiful game so well..........but with so much room for improvement!
I hope PES 'next gen' is an awesome step forward in AI and looks!
I'd guess one thing - that it'll keep well ahead of the FIFA gameplay, in my opinion.
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oh wait...
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