Product Description

Pro Evolution Soccer made every feint, pass and through-ball of the real thing possible, and its sequel ups the ante even further. Every aspect of the game has been refined or reworked, with Pro Evolution Soccer 2 now benefiting from three distinct dribbling styles, while shooting, turning, close control and passing have also been tuned to make them more individual and realistic. To ensure its digital versions of the world's top stars react and play as they should, Pro Evolution Soccer 2's players have all been designed with over 25 skill factors taken into account. Each is rated in areas such as attacking nature, balance, stamina, strength and shot and pass accuracy, each of which endow the players with differing abilities and playing styles. Similarly, the game's "Player Create" option allows fans to recreate their favourite players for use in the game, determining their appearance and performance using the aforementioned attributes, while also highlighting a further 19 specific key skills and abilities. Newly created players can then be implemented in the sequel's Master League season.

Arguably the most popular aspect of the original game, Pro Evolution Soccer 2's "Master League" competition enjoys many new features. A third division has been added to the two of the original game, while Konami has also implemented a contract system wherein game players now negotiate with their virtual players if they want to add to their squad. Cup games now take place during the Master League season and squad rotation has become key to a successful season as players protect the fitness of their squad. Other new additions include an extensive training mode, while the game's huge array of options allow users to tailor every aspect of the game to their taste-–even down to designing their own club badges and kits.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12314 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2003-09-26
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
Pro Evolution Soccer was the best footy game ever, and what you want to know is: does this sequel better it? Thankfully, it does. The first thing that strikes you about Pro Evolution Soccer 2--an anglicised version of the Japanese Winning Eleven 6--is how much faster it is, not just in terms of the pace of your players but also their ability to turn more sharply when receiving the ball. In another clear attempt to up the tempo of the game, which some more arcade-orientated gamers complained was too slow and fiddly, players now recover much more quickly when they lose the ball--so there's no waiting around for them to have a slice of orange before they deign to take part in the match again. And they need to be a bit sharper on their pins because it's now much more difficult to tackle and conversely you have a lot more control when dribbling the ball. There are other minor changes, such as a slightly odd new horizontal camera option, but basically this is bigger, better and more. Just in case you've forgotten, that's bigger, better and more of the best football game ever, so if you like your footy you really will want to be purchasing this. --David Jenkins

Official PlayStation 2 Magazine
"Better than the original, better than all its rivals... if you're into football games it's time to shell out. 9/10."

Edge
"Every time a new version arrives it's subtly, yet fundamentally, better. Pro Evo 2 is no exception. 9/10."

Customer Reviews

Football's coming home (again)
Having been fortunate enough to play the japanese version, "winning eleven 6", i can assure you the european version is going to be well worth your hard earned cash. Those of you who have played the original will know it is the most addictive and best football game ever released.... until now! I personally didn't think they could improve, but konami have done it, and in style. The freekicks are easier to take advantage of with a new targetting system added to make scoring much more possible. The graphics have also been greatly improved and many of the teams, such as Argentina now have their proper names so you can be Batistuta instead of Buatista!! As for open gameplay, the basics are still the same, but the horrible stumbles when your tackled have been taken out, to keep the game smoothly going like a premiership match, rather than a division 3 one! Also attributes will be more clear, so classic long range shots from the likes of Scholes will be a common occurance, and Beckhams freekicks will curve like never before.

Outside of the matches, the training mode has also been improved to help you actually learn from it, rather than just shooting at keepers. And one of the biggest changes is the master league, that now comprises of 3 divisions instead of 2, to make a bigger challenge, and players cost more, making it harder to get a championship winning side together. Of course the European version is to be released later and so small additions probably will be made, player names, and likenesses being the most likely.

PES2, the best footie game money can buy
In recent years, FIFA has been the dominant force in terms of sales. The fact that it contains below average gameplay didn't seem to put people off, until now.

Last November the Pro Evolution series came to the PS2, and finally FIFA's dominance began to slip away. More and more people began to realise whtat they had been missing out on. Even now, 9 months on, PES remains in the top 20 charts. Of cause now there is a sequal coming, and it promises to be even better.

PS2er's who are lucky enough to have played the import of Winning Eleven 6 will know just how good PES2 is going to be. A few of the new features to note are:

- A brand new 3rd division in the popular Master League mode

- 8 new club teams (including Aston Villa, Celtic and Rangers)

- Over 50 National Teams including all of those from this years World Cup

- Much improved commentary over the appaling Chris James and Terry Butcher (most likely will be John Champion and Mark Lawrencen)

- Even smoother animations, with special "signature" moves for certain players (i.e. David Beckham dragging his left foot under his right when taking a free kick)

- Tweaked gameplay giving an extra feeling of control

- Ability to modify almost everything, including Kits, Flags and ALL Players names. You can also now create up to 10 custom teams

These new and improved features are more than enough to make PES2 a MUST purchase for all true football fans. But be warned, if you are new to the series, don't be put of by the seemingly comlicated play. All PES games must be played for at least a month before the pleasure comes. If you have never played before you will probably find that you won't win any matches for at least a couple of days, even on the easiest difficulty. But soon enough you will begin to master the realistic style of the game, and pass the ball to create chances instead of just racing down the field with one player and shooting (like you would in FIFA). Once you get the hang of the game, I guarantee you won't ever look back, and you won't stop playing PES2 until PES3 comes out.

Simply Stunning
Whether you know it or not, you fall into one of two camps. You either want your footie game to look great or play great. Traditionally, ISS & Pro Evo games have concentrated on the latter. Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), when it came out last year, not only hit new heights in gameplay, but looked fabulous too.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (PES2) has improved upon both looks and gameplay.

Anyone who has played PES will know how addictive it is and how it's in a league of it's own because of it's superior gameplay. Anyone who has played PES since the day of it's release last year, will also know that there was still a degree of clunkiness in the game. PES2 has ironed out almost every niggle and added many great new features.

If you need your players faces to look exactly accurate and you need kits with actual sponsors names, there are other games in which eye-candy abounds.

If you want the most addictive, most realistic and gripping PS2 football experience on the planet, Pro Evolution Soccer 2 is a must-have. The realism has to be experienced to be believed.

I have heard MANY accounts of players who have migrated to the PES series. I have NEVER heard of a single gamer abandoning it for it's competition.