This review was done by playing the 360 version.

Review by Mr Pinkerton - This feels very much like Konami's last shot on goal and they've flubbed it.

In the world of yearly updates there's always a chance for a quick comeback but after two disappointing outings this is not the revamp that was needed.

It probably is the best PES game of this generation, but it's an awkward set of compromises that never comes close to challenging FIFA 10.

In a completion of the role reversal that has seen FIFA rise to critical, as well as commercial, darling one of the most disappointing aspects of this sequel is that it no longer has any confidence in the Pro Evo legacy.

Instead it ditches as much of its arcade roots as it can comfortably get away with in 12 months of development.

In fact given this approach it's a wonder it works as well as it does.

The most immediately obvious change is that the game now runs at a slower, more realistic, speed than ever before.

At the same time there's also the new 360 degree dribbling system, although thanks to some unconvincing animation this doesn't work as well as FIFA 10's.

All that slowing the game down really does is make control and movement seem slow and listless, even though it hasn't really changed that much.

A big fuss has been made by Konami of the Team Style controls, which allow you to edit team tactics to a greater degree than before, but they seem a very odd priority for the developers.

The problem is that not only do they make little obvious difference but the idea has already been used by FIFA.

The odd new Style Cards for players, which allow you to set individual tactics, are similarly obscure.

Other nonsensical additions include the chance to directly control goalkeepers (who on Earth ever wanted that?) and a horribly unintuitive new control system for taking penalties.

Whether they're any good or not isn't the question, but why time was being wasted with such inessential features when the artificial intelligence and animation remain so backwards.

Instead these are all but ignored.

In the end the only changes that prove an unqualified success are the improved graphics (including some startlingly realistic looking player faces) and some minor Master League extras.

The rest of the game still remains perfectly playable (there are no problems with slowdown or online) but it just feels old and directionless.

The whole series needs a complete rethink and sooner rather than later.

IN SHORT: Yet another current gen disappointment that can't hold a candle to the ever improving FIFA series.

PROS: The old Pro Evo magic is still there for veteran players. New graphics are excellent, as is the Master League.

CONS: Apart from the graphics none of the changes make any real difference. Attempts at realism do not impress.

SCORE: 7/10 Out: 23/10 (UK)

sorry, but having bought FIFA for the first time in about 10 years i think its slow, unreactional and nowhere near as good as PES 2009.

My only hope of a decent football update lies right here

You obviously haven't played both recent editions then.

ive been paying FIFA 10 all yesterday

i can ply it, but the reponse is so slow mate, seriously

PES has always felt like a simulation and FIFA has felt like arcade. Haven't played the very recent ones.. but i'd be surprised if either of them have changed that much!

Stick with FIFA mate, I was PES until last year - I bought both but thought PES was a huge dissapointment - once you get used to the gameplay of FIFA its brilliant - and if you can master some of the skills you can put some superb moves together. I find it far more flowing and enjoyable than PES now.

i can totally see that steve-the skills part to FIFA looks pretty impressive once ive worked it all out. I think its just the transition from one format to the other. I started my own pro now though-how do you improve their ratings? Doesnt seem to work via manager mode

The new fifa is a million times better than pro evo, this fifa involes alot more skill and tactical play than the stupidly easy pro evo.

It depends which difficulty level you play on mate - you can improve the stats in any game mode but only on the 3 hardest settings (i think its 3). If you have a look in the virtual pro menu theres an accomplishments tab - open that and it tells you what you have to do to get certain upgrades.

gocha, on it.

in the become a legend on last years pro, it went up after every game, so was confused.

I cant juggle the fucking ball, and its winding me up!!

Press the skills button then tap RB.

You cant do it with your virtual pro until you reach the relevant skill level.

at the moment my player moves like john b-slow, jerky and awkward

its gonna take time

It only takes a few games and goals to get your physical attributes up mate.

Mess around alot in the arena too.

my player can now step over!!!!

LAWWWL. Even in a PES thread its all about fifa :D