Pro Evolution Soccer 5 Review

By Tom Bramwell Published 21 October, 2005

Ever-luscious.

Version tested: PlayStation 2

It's hard to be brave when you're already winning. All you can do is lose (seriously - ask AC Milan). And PES, particularly in light of its commercial ascendancy, is most definitely winning. It's almost unimpeachable in its ball simulation, player personality and individuality, and tactical awareness. With PES5 now on the shelves, some have recorded that it's in decline. Don't listen to them. PES5 is harder and more technical. It's a genuine triumph of the series over the hype. My biggest fear about this version was that it would stray too far, buoyed by the commercial inroads it made against FIFA last year. Nope. This is Gianfranco Zola moving to Caligari.

It epitomises this within minutes as you realise what's happened to pressure-tackling. Traditionally when defending, holding X moves the active player to intercept, jostle and unseat the ball or force the opposing player off-line. A more commercially-minded game might push further in this direction, but PES5 utterly forsakes anybody reliant on this approach. It demands timing and manual positioning of the active defender. Simply holding X leads to mistimed or completely failed challenges that benefit the other team - either with a free kick or, worse, open space. PES is still a game where the onus is on the player in possession to try and keep the ball - it's still hard to break down teams, particularly against formidable defensive lines, springy midfields and brute strength, which can often shield you into cul-de-sacs if you don't move the ball around and master crossing, long and short passing and creating space. But reducing the effect of pressing is a clear statement of intent.

To win the ball, you have to wait for the advancing player to present you with an opportunity and then pounce. Stay goalside, perhaps hold square to get an AI-controlled team-mate to shadow the guy in possession, but don't dive in. Wait. Slide-tackling, interestingly, becomes far more useful than X-pressing, particularly against opponents who make a lot of use of the R1 sprint button. R1 sprinting is easily read (and detrimental to any player's stamina and skill over the course of a game, too), and seizing control of the nearest defender and attacking the ball with a slide is now very effective - not least because the game reacts to input faster now. In an earlier piece I said slide-tackling had acquired an almost Sensible Soccer-esque air of pre-emption. Actually it reminds me more of Alan Smith in Leeds' final year in the Premiership, when they knew it was now or never. For him, every game was the proverbial Cup Final, and he flew into every tackle fearlessly, knowing it was all about having the will. And you felt them all with him. PES5 lets you fight for it.

'Pro Evolution Soccer 5' Screenshot 1

Henry on the new snowy pitch. Happy as ever. CHEER UP.

So much sports game development is about image, and constantly striving for reinvention by finding new clothes for your scripting - not just visually, but by accessorising with gimmicks that are then dispensed with before they have time to bed in. PES, to start with, isn't scripted. It just isn't. Elsewhere it's sometimes guilty of gimmickry, but never on the scale of its competitors - its strength lies in the algorithms that govern everything. For the most part, PES5 gets these right - notice how different PES players live or die on the strength of their tactics, discipline and footballing knowledge rather than some sort of arcade reaction. You can't play two games and suddenly "get it". Heck, you can't play 2,000 and understand everything. Half of the things it does, it won't even talk about! Understanding player abilities and the condition arrows takes ages - they all make a difference, but you won't be able to figure them out unless you experiment and think of it as football, not some paradigm lined up for disassembly.

Complementing the underlying equations are the versatility and sharpness of control and control-response. PES5 improves each. There are a few debateable changes (rotating R2 behaviour so that side-stepping is the default d-pad/analog turning behaviour, and 45-degree movement adjustments involve active use of R2 button, will take some learning, but does it ultimately improve the game?), but the logic outweighs these. Just as tackling starts to demand more composure and timing, so the number of interstitial animations and concordantly its control-response improves - stick a boot in and the boot goes in right then, not half an animation later. Receive the ball on the touchline and volley it first time into the area and your winger hits it when you want him to, not when the game can fit him in. Of course, whether the ball gets there or ends up in row Z is still a question of the winger's balance of player-abilities and his level of fatigue, but you can't argue that PES won't react sharply to his A-game any more. Likewise, while shooting seems to require more build-up now, given the right skill a player running onto a ball can hammer it home at the precise moment you want him to connect. If you're sharp, it's sharper. PES does get new clothes, but it's not so much an image change as a determination to fit more in its pockets.

'Pro Evolution Soccer 5' Screenshot 2

The number of things that govern the effectiveness of a shot is huge.

Any gimmicks it's ever tried have rarely been perfect to begin with (trick stick, anyone?), but they do improve. This year for example, broadband online play is much better. We're still waiting for things like co-op and voice comms, but the lobby systems, profile management, stats-gathering and other areas are more agreeable. Teething's always been inevitable with substantial PES adjustments, and now online play's broken through it's inevitably much smoother, lets you pre-define more options, see the other player's record at a glance, and bind preset phrases to a chat menu. Buen partido indeed, my Spanish friend.

One of the things I'd noticed about PES5 but hadn't been able to quantify until recently was the change in brilliant players. PES has always been good at reflecting an individual's skills. David Beckham is a master of the long ball and fluffs the odd penalty. Alan Shearer can hold off defenders longer than most. Zidane beats his man and delivers inch-perfect passes, inspiring his team-mates to react to his involvement by making for open ground. But it wasn't until I talked to somebody who had actually addressed this with the dev-team that I could really appreciate how PES5 built on this. Simply, it's stretched that final band of player-skill. Those last few percentage points in each player's skills column actually represent a far greater range of improvements. Adriano's shooting skill, for example, is monstrous - as befits the man - and eclipses even those on the rung just fractionally below him. It's a concertina approach - the closer to the edge, the greater the differences.

'Pro Evolution Soccer 5' Screenshot 3

Ronaldinho remains very strong, but even he can't cover the whole pitch with the ball.

There's more you'll notice in PES5, but frankly I'd rather you found it yourself. Your old tactics won't work to begin with. Through-balls aren't the same, passes angle differently. Learn how. That you have to learn every year is joyous enough in itself, and the rails in many relatively unimportant areas have been oiled to help you enjoy the process - keepers are much better at distributing the ball, and refs understand the advantage rule better, even holding over bookings until the ball goes dead, etc.

There are some persistent blemishes, as ever there are. There's a sense, particularly playing against AI opposition, that the defence drops very deep when you're on the attack, packing the area to prevent you getting a clear shot rather than defending logically; the ball, meanwhile, is still capable of pinballing off knees and shins; and throw-ins and dead balls still feel relatively crude. But then you could argue that the AI dropping off so much is your own fault - did you give them time to regroup by R1-sprinting and ending up at the corner flag? Did you pick a suitable formation for counter-attacking? And while pinballing can go against you, it's also there to entertain; deflections and, worse, a clearance going utterly AWOL after hitting an onrushing attacker in the FACE, amuse and underscore the game's versatility. There are real quirks and problems, and areas left unattended (like the commentary - seems like Trevor Brooking still hates me), but the main reason you notice them is that the other billion lines o' code are working so well. "Hrm, England's teamwork seems rather too good," rather ignores the fact that you can quantify the teamwork at all. And you can.

'Pro Evolution Soccer 5' Screenshot 4

The Italians - a good choice for defenders, just as they're strong there in real life.

For all this, you might wonder about the newcomer, or the divorcee looking for reconciliation. And yes, I'm clearly happier about its defiant reaction to commercial success, but that isn't to say it's become impenetrable. The training modes are more than capable of introducing you to key areas - fundamentally, situationally, and through targeted objectives and free-play. Through experimentation you'll become proficient, and the default three-star difficulty level is not so unfair that you won't score a few goals in the process. The difference will be, and it takes a little getting used to, that it's more about the 'how' than the 'if'.

PES5 is very much an "and how!" kind of game. It hasn't pandered to the majority. The bar for entry into the Master League hasn't dipped - indeed, the only noticeable reflection of its increased stature is that it licenses more players than ever - including a couple of English teams, Arsenal and Chelsea - and is as up to date squad-wise as any new version has been. Where before it could be distilled and fell into patterns quite easily, it's closed ranks - only by picking the right players, looking after them and putting them to their best use, can you win on higher levels, or against the best players. Everyone, on their day, can wave a footballing wand - but it'd take an act of supreme luck for a newcomer to show up a master. Indeed, one of the things PES5 does best is to punish the indolence and complacence of the average thrill-seeker. And, rather neatly, that's also the reason it's close to toppling an empire.

9 / 10

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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (106) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Thamuhacha #1 6 years ago

    In total agreement with this. It's awesome.

    You can also import data from PES4 so if you spent ages updating team names and logos ... etc you don't have to do it again. Which is nice.

  • Psi #2 6 years ago

    on my list

  • pion17 #3 6 years ago

    1 thing that nobody sees is the lack of the r2 action:-(
    I used to do sidesteps with r2 and I was so skilled that I used to hold the ball back and do another sidestep.. now the sidesteps will appear automatically and I'm not able to hold the ball back while I'm moving backwards.. It was a part of my way to play ProEvo

    /cries
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 09:26

  • Mike69_2004 #4 6 years ago

    couldnt agree more with you eurogamer

  • Furbs #5 6 years ago

    /waits for inevitable boring insecure PES fan to moan about FIFA rather than the merits of this one

    Love it, as a defender myself I like how they've now made tackling a skill.

  • Ecanem #6 6 years ago

    "Indeed, one of the things PES5 does best is to punish the indolence and complacence of the average thrill-seeker."

    Is this really a good thing? Does this mean casual gamers will not find any joy with this?

  • zErOb_cOOl #7 6 years ago

    "Indeed, one of the things PES5 does best is to punish the indolence and complacence of the average thrill-seeker."

    Is this really a good thing? Does this mean casual gamers will not find any joy with this?

    Yeah exactly, with the old games I could go round to my mates house (where they play the game all the bloody time to a religious level), and I can actually win a few games, using pure football knowledge and positioning, even though I don't own and hardly ever play the game.

    And now I'm going to get screwed over every time by them, as they will get this and play it religiously, but I won't be rewarded for playing well anymore, oh no. I'm actually going to get pissed on for not learning the new tweaks in the game and its control system. I don't think this sounds like an improvement.

    So thanks to the developers of PES5, for taking the fun factor, the 'pick-up-and-play' factor, and the 'average-joe-can-win' factor out of the game......the very factors that make this game a multiplayer success.

    /waits for excuses on the game's behalf which suggest you have to learn any game to be able to play it

  • Sadino #8 6 years ago

    The PS2 version of PES4 was better than xbox version (not very much, but it was). This time is there any diferences?

    And online? You could talk more about it :)

  • Talha #9 6 years ago

    I'm surprised the score is not a 10.

    /takes the 10th Anti-EGScore-Obsession Pill (250 mg)

  • Furbs #10 6 years ago

    I dont think the "realism over gameplay" is that bad to be honest, but hey, if you're someone who doesnt like the more complicated mechanics of the new PES, dare I say it, the "other" football game this year is very much a viable alternative and has the same pick up and play mechanics its always had.

    Thats why the Furbs household has both - for when non-gaming football fan friends come round.

    Zero - on the "learning" thing, its not an excuse, in fact, when EA bring out a game to cater to the "casual" player, dont you yourself moan at them about it for "selling out"? Kick Off 2 took me literally 2 weeks play before I could even run or pass the ball, but it was still an absolute classic game.
    Edited by 3 at 21/10/05 @ 09:58

  • Bezzy #11 6 years ago

    The only football game I like more than football.

  • Talha #12 6 years ago

    FEAR is as good then? ;-)

  • deepmenace #13 6 years ago

    i love the soundfx changes. that audible rise in crowd noise as you intercept and counter attack is great.

    also, i swear i've heard the crowd cheer consecutive passes after a bit of keep-ball.

    i like it - each pes is like getting a new toy - press all the buttons, see what it does.

  • Furbs #14 6 years ago

    "FEAR is as good then? ;-)"

    Better than Halo...

    (sorry)

  • zErOb_cOOl #15 6 years ago

    "no matter how practised you are with the controls, it will never let you demolish a lesser opponent unless you also have a better footballing brain than them... "

    Well this is it. With the last game you barely had to practice with the controls. By the sounds of things, and I may be mistaken, it sounds more complicated to control.

    My argument is that I do have a good footballing brain, and the last PES allowed me to demonstrate this with easy to use controls.

    If you have to learn new controls for this game, it adds a barrier between my brain and the game (and teh win!!1!) Simple as that.

  • PES_Fanboy #16 6 years ago

    also, i swear i've heard the crowd cheer consecutive passes after a bit of keep-ball.

    Yep, they definitely do that. I was playing my bruv at this last night and, for once, was winning comfortably (most of our games are so tight we go to penalties), and so did a bit of Liverpool-80s-era 'keep ball', and my home fans were cheering every pass.

    Until he intercepted, and they booed.

    It's SUCH an improvement over Winning Eleven 9. I love this game, much more than I even thought I would.

    As for the 'casual gamer' argument - it used to wind me up that someone with no knowledge of the game could come and give me a close game even after my 6 months invested gaming. Now that's less of an issue. Game in 'rewarding players for playing it' shocker!

    The new players are only disadvantaged if they play experienced gamers - surely that's how it should be?

  • acegamer #17 6 years ago

    had pro evo 5 for a couple of days has anybody noticed crowed disapear during gameplay and return on set pieces free kicks penaltys etc. or have i just got a dodgy copy cause apart from that its the greatest footy game ever

  • Furbs #18 6 years ago

    How is it more complicated though? Read my comments in the forum where I go on about the tackling. If you are playing with a football mindset, its "easier" (or at least makes more sense) and its all about timing now.

    Thing is, whats wrong with practice? If I had spent months getting good at a driving game, I'd hate not to be able to compete with someone who held a driving licence. Its a game, if you only want to be able to use your football brain/skills to win, might I suggest real football? :)

  • PES_Fanboy #19 6 years ago

    had pro evo 5 for a couple of days has anybody noticed crowed disapear during gameplay and return on set pieces free kicks penaltys etc. or have i just got a dodgy copy cause apart from that its the greatest footy game ever

    Sounds like you've got the beta, not the finished game? There are lag / presentation issues with the early beta that was leaked onto the torrents sites a few weeks back.

  • InfiniteFury #20 6 years ago

    Sorry to go off-topic here but, if Eurogamer are reading, any chance of a review of The Warriors today?

  • Furbs #21 6 years ago

    PES_Fanboy - I think some people with the retail version are reporting it too. Rumours are that the dodgy version isnt a beta anyway. Not that I'd know.

    /sighs waiting for HMV order to ship

  • acegamer #22 6 years ago

    just phoned shop about problem and was told this was how the game was made to avoid lagging issues my copy looks ok and i am playing on PS2 has no body else had same problem

  • krudster #23 6 years ago

    no Warriors review. Enjoy Quake 4 and Football Manager instead, and return next week for what Ellie thinks of Rockstar's latest...

  • AaronTurner #24 6 years ago

    Did I miss the part where we're told what is new in the game this year?

  • tedmaul #25 6 years ago

    The crowd thing is not a bug. It's designed that way to combat slow-down that was quite bad on PES4. It's not great that the crowd isn't there a lot of the time, but i'd rather have that removed than have the gameplay affected.

    My understanding is that this won't be the case on the PC version, as it's to combat the hardware limitations on ps2. Not sure about what they've done with xbox.

    Oh, and i'm not sure if i can pimp our site on here....but if you want a full guide to the game and an option file to correct all the player names and whatnot, we have both over at pesfan. Available free to registered users. ;)

    Excellent review btw chaps. Agree completely with what you've said.

    [/tedmaul disturbing]
    Edited by 2 at 21/10/05 @ 10:39

  • Furbs #26 6 years ago

    Same in the Xbox version :/
    Anyone verify Baros is still at Liverpool in this version?

    Oh cool thanks ted - its up now yeah?
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 10:40

  • PES_Fanboy #27 6 years ago

    Thing is, whats wrong with practice? If I had spent months getting good at a driving game, I'd hate not to be able to compete with someone who held a driving licence. Its a game, if you only want to be able to use your football brain/skills to win, might I suggest real football?

    Ah, but we've all got too fat / lazy / old to play anything more taxing than Sunday pub leagues.

    Thing is, the remit from Seabass was always to create the football simulator. I could score 40 yarders in *other football games* after ten minutes of play - that's fab, nice and easy to pick up.

    It took me a while to score a decent-looking goal against decent CPU competition in PES 5. When it did come, it was delicious, and all the more delectable due to the time and effort I'd put into it, along with the knowledge that it was *earned* with practice.

    The practice itself was great fun. Which was the better £40 investment? The answer to that question, I believe relies on the following:

    a) how much time you have to invest;
    b) how much you enjoy football (to what level, fanatic etc)

    Oh, and off topic - I got noticeably worse at driving games once I got my driving licence. And worse still after I got my racing licence. How does that work???

  • Huntcjna #28 6 years ago

    Yep baros is still at 'pool but also crouch is (with the poorest ratings ever) so is mark gonzalez

  • Furbs #29 6 years ago

    Dunno, but the only way I'll ever pass my test is if I can sit outside the car, suspended 10 ft behind it on a crane :(

    Wow! They really took care in getting them right eh? Baros left in July didnt he? :p
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 10:43

  • tedmaul #30 6 years ago

    Yeah, the file's up now. All names, transfers and kits sorted. Just ps2 at the moment though, hope to have the xbox one later in the week but we're struggling with a variey of 'issues' at the moment. Keep you posted....
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 10:43

  • caligari #31 6 years ago

    Okay, so can anyone point me towards the best PC game pad to play the Pro Evolution series?

    I hear the Saitek (?) brand of pads are rather good, but then they don't appear to have very responsive shoulder buttons.

    Please fellow Pro Evo fans, a desperate gamer needs your help!
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 10:57

  • Furbs #32 6 years ago

    Wait for the PC Xbox360 pad in December! :) It'll be perfect.

  • lemonfist #33 6 years ago

    I'm looking forward to the PC release. It seems I'm unable to play footy games with a pad. Just feels wrong to me, somehow :/

  • tedmaul #34 6 years ago

    There's a number of good USB adapters to allow you to use a playstation 2 pad on your pc as well. play.com do one for about £7 or something.

  • Furbs #35 6 years ago

    Re. PS2 adaptors, I picked up a couple of PS2 -> Xbox adaptors in HMV last night for £4 each.

  • mad_caddy #36 6 years ago

    a very good review of the game, i completely agree older versions of pes even 4 are looking really rigid now, this feels so fuid and smooth it defies belief, well worth a purchase and a big cheer for the new training in the master league.

  • tedster11 #37 6 years ago

    God, I know I'm going to love this game in a month. Last night was pure hell learning the new moves. I'll get there in the end and then show the world my tallents!!! mwah hahahaha

  • Darren #38 6 years ago

    Good review and it makes you wonder where XBM's 78% score comes from until you realise that it's probably down to control differences of which the PS2 is better suited for playing PES5 on.

  • tedmaul #39 6 years ago

    The best thing about it for me is that it has the same great balance between attacking and defensive play that PES1 had, and that got sadly lost a little in the versions in between (especially in PES4 where attacking was waaaay too easy).

    It's like PES1 but with insane amounts of new features and fluidity in the movement and controls. Loving it so far, and this coming from someone who has a habit of constantly bitching about Konami/PES.....:D

  • Furbs #40 6 years ago

    Just incase anyone has ordered from HMV on the Xbox, I just got this.

    Due to stock limitations, we are currently unable to fulfil this order. We have contacted the suppliers, and they have informed us that the initial supply of the Xbox version has been scaled back across the UK, and we are unlikely to receive further stock for at least 4 weeks after launch.

    Please accept my sincere apologies for this delay. We will be fulfilling all orders for this title, and are working with the suppliers to obtain stock as soon as possible.

    Regards,

    Andrew Cherrett
    Ecommerce Customer Service Manager


    Way to go HMV. First and last time I use your online service. Twats.

  • sir_tripod #41 6 years ago

    Played my mate last night on the XBOX version. Won 1-0 first match and 3-0 on second with Chile's Salas curling a free kick into the top left corner. ^_^

    PES FTW!

  • Huntcjna #42 6 years ago

    I have to agree with you there tedmaul the counter attacking in particular on this version can just decimate opposition you really need to think about in defence if you want to man mark or zone mark particularly against teams like chelsea who play the ball into space a lot.

  • Eighthours #43 6 years ago

    Good review and it makes you wonder where XBM's 78% score comes from until you realise that it's probably down to control differences of which the PS2 is better suited for playing PES5 on.

    Nah, I read that review and it had nothing to do with controls. The reviewer just didn't "get" the new pace of the game and the changes, and kept saying that PES4 was better.

  • lennon #44 6 years ago

    I have very mixed opinions on this based on the xbox version. Firstly Live seems a lot better. I didnt notice any lag problems in the six games I played which is a real bonus as far as I am concerned.

    However the ball now seems to bounce around like a rubber ball at times which whilst it doesnt spoil matches does seem rather odd. Also I noticed a number of occasions when a player of mine ran towards a ball and went straight past it allowingh a oncoming attacker to go straight through on goal. Very annoying.

    Lastly and most worryingly. In one night I managed to score from 3 free kicks. This may not be a miracle to some but in all the PES games I can barely get the ball over the wall let alone in the onion bag.

    All in all for me not as good as PES 4 but I will live with it as Live seems better.
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 11:57

  • lennon #45 6 years ago

    I should point out that I only had about 3 hours to play it last night so these are only initial thoughts. Oddly I still found that using the X button for pressing was quite useful as long as you know when to let go :)

  • Furbs #46 6 years ago

    The XBM review did make some fair points and they did justify the score to be honest. It also got a two page spread to FIFA's one, so its not a case of out and out bias. They just said they prefered PES4 more. Fair enough imho. Doesnt mean they're right, doesnt mean anyones wrong, they just expressed a preference and gave reasons accordingly.

    Manic, I'm just curious, have you ever worked for a review site/mag?
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 12:05

  • king_skins #47 6 years ago

    @ lennon, if you where playing the xbox version then the x button in the review is different to the x button for the xbox. This is a PS2 review.

    Their X button, normal in tackle (A on xbox). Your X button makes a CPU player press the guy with the ball (square on PS2)

  • Furbs #48 6 years ago

    No thats fair enough, it explains why you have strong opinions sometimes :)
    I dont like any print mags anyway (well, single format ones anyway) for the reason you give, I just read the XBM one as they were the only I've seen brave enough to actually mark it down over the issues (not saying I agree with the score, but as can be seen by Konami withdrawing advertising from the publisher, it does take balls!).

    What I dont get though is what else a reviewer can use other than opinion? If its just stating facts, to be honest it becomes a press release, or a lifestyle mag review. Plus, most of us on here have a pretty good idea about a games features way before the review comes along, we just need to know how well/bad they work.

  • king_skins #49 6 years ago

    XBM is appaling. They don't even understand the backwards compatibility on the 360 and their the Official magazine.

    The only reason that magazine sells is because the cover disc demos, only reason I have ever bought it.

  • anon #50 6 years ago

    Can players like Henry and Owen properly outsprint the last defender? Or does the game still have 'catchup' syndrome where any donkey of a centreback can match the pace of the most quickest attacker.

  • Huntcjna #51 6 years ago

    No there is no "catch up" at all with defenders now, thats the problem I have had when playing Slurpy over live the speed of the wingers just exploit the space behind my LB and RB constantly, you have to set aggressive man marking to try and prevent them continually getting caught out.

  • Furbs #52 6 years ago

    Havent really checked with the ball anon, but certainly a ball over the top will leave defenders treading water if you have a nippy forward. Till Toure comes over and chops you down when you are through on goal.
    Same old Arsenal, always cheating :p

  • MikkyX #53 6 years ago

    I've got the XBox version and something VERY odd happened...... I won a match 4-1 (unusual in itself :D) and Micky Owen bagged a double. Except that when he scored his second, it showed "Goals Today: 1" underneath his name - and at the final whistle I checked the match detail to see:

    Robinson: 0 minutes

    And only one goal for Owen! So, er, my goalie scored before the match had even started. I've not scored more than once in any games since so I've not been able to see if this keeps happening but it's very odd and I'm surprised no-one's picked up on it yet........

  • tedmaul #54 6 years ago

    Keep the ball near to you when sprinting, and yes, defenders will catch you up. To out run them you need to learn how to effectively knock the ball ahead of you as you run, by tapping r1 or the direction you're moving. Also, the timing of the pass to release them will help you get clear. If you pass it just as the defence is stepping up then you'll be yards away before they can react, combine that with knocking the ball ahead and you won't be caught....

  • Putty-Man #55 6 years ago

    Look, I dont like XBM for the reasons many of you have stated, but for once, they're going against the grain and making a bold statement. Fair dues to the reviewer for this, I know MANY other reviewers will think this but chicken out and give the safe 9/10.

    As for the game itself, I'm hoping its closer to the 9 then the 78, I'll take Eurogamers word for it anyway!

  • lennon #56 6 years ago

    Yeah sorry. I should have just said the pressing option. I confused myself ;)
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 13:10

  • eric2k5 #57 6 years ago

    Pro Evo 5, get in there you beauty!

    Oi Oi, you lucky people!!!

  • Tweakmonkey #58 6 years ago

    Fantastic review. As someone who's played Pro Evo 3 for 2 years I think it's time to upgrade :-)

  • tomdominer #59 6 years ago

    What about the ONLINE MODE?

    I heard that it was possible to have 4 players, but in the review you said that there was no online co-op.

    Does that mean it's only 1 vs 1 or that you can't both vs a computer player? HELP!

  • Eighthours #60 6 years ago

    XBM is appaling. They don't even understand the backwards compatibility on the 360 and their the Official magazine.

    The only reason that magazine sells is because the cover disc demos, only reason I have ever bought it.

    XBM is very unofficial. The official mag is OXM.

    Oh, and for tomdominer: You can have a mate (basically a Guest) play with you on your Xbox against another opponent, and he can have a Guest too. So in effect you've got the facility for 2 vs 2, but the restriction is that the teammates have to be in the same room on the same Xbox. You can't have random people online on your team.

  • Feanor #61 6 years ago

    What is the volleying like on PES 5 compared to PES 4? It took me three months to get half-decent at volleying on PES 4, and four months to get fairly good.

  • tomdominer #62 6 years ago

    I suppose this is also true for the PS2 version as well?

    (Everyone is talking about Xbox Live)

  • Huntcjna #63 6 years ago

    There doesn't seem to be a power rating for volleys any more it just pings it but you have to be in the right body shape or you spoon it

  • Ceatlan #64 6 years ago

    Does it have proper analogue control of the players ?

    I want to control how fast the player moves by how far I'm pushing the analogue stick, and I want to be able to move, shoot and pass in more than 8 directions !

  • tomdominer #65 6 years ago

    I'm amused by these 'propper analogue control' wants.

    What you want and what you actually need are so completly different.

  • tobi #66 6 years ago

    i wont get much sleep now, but its worth it!

  • Darren #67 6 years ago

    "Just incase anyone has ordered from HMV on the Xbox, I just got this.

    Due to stock limitations, we are currently unable to fulfil this order. We have contacted the suppliers, and they have informed us that the initial supply of the Xbox version has been scaled back across the UK, and we are unlikely to receive further stock for at least 4 weeks after launch.

    Please accept my sincere apologies for this delay. We will be fulfilling all orders for this title, and are working with the suppliers to obtain stock as soon as possible.

    Regards,

    Andrew Cherrett
    Ecommerce Customer Service Manager

    Way to go HMV. First and last time I use your online service. Twats."

    I also pre-ordered the game when HMV mispriced it at £14.99 but received an email stating that they'd honour it.

    However, I think I know what they're doing. They've had that many orders for the game at £14.99 that they are shipping the copies they have to people who've paid the correct price for the game. In the meantime, they are hoping that the four week delay will make the £14.99 customers cancel their orders and buy it elsewhere. That way they can sell the new stock at full-price.

    I'd be interested to hear from anyone who ordered online from HMV for £14.99 who've received their copy, or from anyone who received their full-price copy.

    Maybe I'm just being cynical but somehow I just know I'm right! lol

  • tomdominer #68 6 years ago

    I have also managed to get a £14.99 copy of Pro Evo from HMV

    It is the PS2 version but I have received an email stating that it has been shipped!

    Maybe they have genuinely run out?

  • Darren #69 6 years ago

    Tomdominer - Obviously I'm getting too cynical in my old age then. Thanks for replying.

  • Huntcjna #70 6 years ago

    Yea I ordered both the ps2 and xbox versions seperatley from HMV and they have shipped both for me at £14.99

  • Furbs #71 6 years ago

    Darren, your view is exactly the same as mine...even if HMV online is seperate from HMV in the high street, they should still be able to meet demand. Unless I see shops sold out of the Xbox version over the weekend, I think its safe to say they are bullshiting.

  • Ceatlan #72 6 years ago

    Tomdominer.

    Thank you for being such a condescending chap, you've managed to come across as a genuinely friendly, intelligent and level headed person, perfectly capable of a meaningful discussion without resorting to personal attacks.

    I accept that the passing and shooting are not strictly limited to 8 directions, but the selection of a player to whom you should direct the pass does seem to be to me. As does movement, which is fine until you are near the penalty area and you want to make a fine adjustment and instead can only run straight towards the goal line or at an angle of 45 degrees to it. A limitation which has existed for years that I find very strange given the fact we are no longer watching sprites or using digital controllers.

    I'm quite happy to be told I'm wrong, and it doesn't stop me thinking its the best football game around. It just seems some fairly obvious things have been left unchanged for years.
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 15:16

  • tomdominer #73 6 years ago

    Ceatlan. Thank you for being so patronising in your reply.

    All I meant was that the choice to have 8 (or 16 directional if you use the R1 Run) movement has many design implications that you probably don't realise.

    For instance, do you think that Chess would be better if you could move to any position across the board and weren't restricted to the grid structure?

  • Furbs #74 6 years ago

    Thats not a valid comparison as chess is designed like that, and its pieces and rules set by it.
    PES is a simulation of real football (note use of word simulation). Would real football be better if players could only run along an X and Y axis?

  • sir_tripod #75 6 years ago

    One thing I've noticed is that the computer quite often trips, hacks and barges you all over the place - no foul. You go anywhere near the CPU players, they fall to the ground like sacks of shit and get free kicks straight away.

  • tomdominer #76 6 years ago

    But, this computer game simulation of football is also 'designed like that, and its pieces and rules set by it.'

    I'm not questioning that it's not a valid way of controlling the game, but I am questioning the assumption that it will play better as a result of the changes.

    How can anyone be that sure? And, if a random person posting on a review forum points out 'analogue directional running' as a good idea, don't you think the creators have also considered and maybe even tried to implement it?
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/05 @ 15:50

  • Darren #77 6 years ago

    Can anyone confirm whether this year's game has widescreen support in the Xbox version?

    Thanks.

  • tomdominer #78 6 years ago

    To be really pedantic, Y-Axis is actually up and down.

    Players would be restricted to X-Axis and the Z-Axis unless they had jetpacs, get it right....

    :p

  • Furbs #79 6 years ago

    Yeah but I was talking about from a Sensi Soccer perspective :p

  • killyourtv #80 6 years ago

    theres far too many animated adverts on this site, its a total distraction

  • dynarama #81 6 years ago

    Really love it - XboxLive seems like it has been fixed - not had any lag problems. Skippable replays, connection speeds, online leagues.

    Like the balance of play as well - tackling actually more realistic and involving. Thumbs up from someone who deserted PES4 for Fifa04.

  • OnlyMe #82 6 years ago

    Ah, PES5 is so great. I really like the way the series is moving more and more into a more simulation aspect, and that you need to think football strategy to succeed in this one. Patience required. Great.

    And I wish FIFA would go back to the original arcade style soccer. I recently went through a few older FIFA games, just to see how it's been advancing. I started with World Cup '98, then went on to Euro 2000 and FIFA 2001 on the PSone. Then FIFA 2002 on the PC and finally ending up with a game of FIFA06. I was shocked to find that I really really enjoyed the PSone games much more, because of its simple gameplay, and I actually found that the series had been getting worse and worse instead of getting better. I didn't have FIFA '99 or FIFA 2000, both of which I know I loved back in the days. I have a feeling that I'd still enjoy one of these more than any of the new FIFAs.

    If FIFA went back to the original super-fast and simplistic gameplay style, then PES and FIFA wouldn't even need to compete in my book. One arcade and one simulation. So, listen up EA, give up on the realism, you can't do it. Look at what made the older FIFA games so great, then you'll score a sale with me again.
    Edited by 1 at 22/10/05 @ 09:10

  • Hunam85 #83 6 years ago

    Im with OnlyMe, Fifa 99 rocked, since then its just green water, and no one likes green water

  • Routeone #84 6 years ago

    Have they got rid of the fuzzy pitches from the Xbox version? If they have then I'm sold.

  • OnlyMe #85 6 years ago

    I found everything blurry on the Xbox version (RGB cable) in PES5 so I went for the PS2 version. Not sure what Konami is doing to mess it up like that.

  • Dire #86 6 years ago

    "Have they got rid of the fuzzy pitches from the Xbox version? If they have then I'm sold."

    nope fuzzy pitches are still with us. gives you a right headache aswell :/

  • Routeone #87 6 years ago

    "I found everything blurry on the Xbox version (RGB cable) in PES5 so I went for the PS2 version. Not sure what Konami is doing to mess it up like that."

    That's bloody annoying. Now I'm no fanboy (I only have an XBox because of live) but I do find it a bit ridiculous that this game tends to look better on the Ps2 then the XB version . I don't really even care about the graphics, it's just the blury pitches from number 4 gave me a headache if i played it for too long. Goddamn you konami and your rubbish ports.

  • Eighthours #88 6 years ago

    That's weird. I noticed the blurry pitches straight away last year, and haven't seen any so far this year. Am I going blind?!

  • GTBurns #89 6 years ago

    I don't think you are mate, I haven't noticed them either! Though i have to say that the only pitch that p***ed me off last year was that stripey abherration! :) Which is now, thankfully, gone!

  • Hunam85 #90 6 years ago

    its looks fantasticly sharp on my xbox, dont get this blurryness, but it has been widely stated, so i cant say its not real

  • OnlyMe #91 6 years ago

    Either some people uses the standard cables that came with the pack and therefore is used to the blurryness, or something has gone very wrong in the production of the xbox'es. Or it could be that some of the blurryness is caused by some random tv-sets. Or a mix of both. I have the official RGB cable on my Xbox, so that one should be cleared. I also have a fairly decent TV - a Sony Trinitron 29" crystal clear - bought new a year ago. So I don't think it's my telly.

    so if it's not the Xbox or the telly or the cable, what's left?

    Maybe the answer to the question is... the modchip? Could that interfere and make some games more blurry than they should? How many of those with the blurryness issue also have a modchipped xbox?

  • Sunrise #92 6 years ago

    The review captures the overall feel on the early weeks of gaming it well.

    Time will tell if PES5 can entertain us for a whole year. Well, it will. But can it still knock you off your seat after months and months of playing???
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/05 @ 01:26

  • mad_caddy #93 6 years ago

    the stripey pitch is still in, it's blackburns home ground.......it's a lot nicer than it used to be but it's still BAD!

    The pitches do look fuzzy but my eyes are more shot than they used to be so it seems to balance out....

    /goes to specsavers

  • skuzzbag #94 6 years ago

    "I'm not questioning that it's not a valid way of controlling the game, but I am questioning the assumption that it will play better as a result of the changes.
    "

    That's interesting, you really believe that 8 way movement is superior to true analog movement in a football game?

    I'm sitting here trying to imagine how analog movement wouldn't be better and I can't. It's a thought that crosses my mind every time that I play PES and I wonder why on earth they have decided yet again to stick to 8 way movement only. The ball doesn't leave the players feet in only 8 directions, and watching players animations doesn't seem to imply that this has any bearing on the design choice as they wouldn't need any more animations.

    Goal managed more than strict 8 way movement by deft use of inertia, that was when 1990?

  • OnlyMe #95 6 years ago

    How do you know that Konami hasn't tried the "true analogue" formula? For all we know they may have tried many times and through playtesting found that the 8-ways control is better? I'm sure they've thought about it, if not already tried doing it, but came to the conclusion to stick with the way things are.

  • bink #96 6 years ago

    Has anyone tried this on PS2 online? Is it any good?

  • maxaran #97 6 years ago

    help me to download pro evolution soccer 5 full version

  • JoséCool #98 6 years ago

    Ok-I've been a massive pro evo fan since its birth, but sadly have to admit no forward progress with this one. I'm all for a challenge, but seriously! Even Paul Scholes is unable to hit a moving ball, and thierry Henry has just been caught up at full speed (tapping R1) by Paul Robinson (of WBA fame). I understand the last game was a little bit biased towards tose that could dribble with pace, but in the real world-some ppl are quicker than others. im going back to have some fun on PE4

  • JoséCool #99 6 years ago

    it makes me sick!

  • azurelas_2 #100 6 years ago

    The only thing I really hate about PES5 is the changed R2 button... now that was really stupid Konami

    By the way, is there any way to use the "classic" settings? (i.e. R2 = stepovers)

  • Luigi #101 6 years ago

    Greetings ! After 10+ hours of non stop playing :) I think I can comment this game in the best way possible. At first, I was a little stunned with this game. After playing to exaustion PES4 I went confident in this one and... well, looks like the old tricks are all gone and I needed to learn to play again. This is an event great challenge than PES4 and scoring a goal in the first matches (5 star) could be quite dificult but that's a great challenge. When you score a goal you really want to celebrate. This game is for hardcore football fans. Personally I love it.

    By the way, football fans, great news! Remember the great great sensible soccer? It's ready to strike in PS2 in an updated form but with the same elements that made the AMIGA/PC version great. Can't wait for it.

    Congrats to all eurogamer fans from PT

  • tom_macey #102 6 years ago

    gods own football game make pes 4 look poor and that saying something
    master league still to basic though

  • cycodamo #103 6 years ago

    Sweet, this game just went Platinum meaning I'm a gonna buy it. Couple of questions I hope can be answered: can you still set up a faux World Cup? How many international teams are there?

  • JDub #104 6 years ago

    Just picked this up in a Tesco's store for £13.97!

    I had to dig to find it though.... :)

  • #105 6 years ago

    Just picked this up for Xbox in WHSmiths and I'm thrilled. £9.99 brand new! I've had PES4 for a while now, and resisted the urge to upgrade immediately due to negative reviews/feedback, but I wish I'd got it straight away now. It's a far better game than PES4.

  • Feanor #106 2 years ago

    Still playing this almost five years later.