Metacritic Games

Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Playstation 2)

Arsenal's Thierry Henry, and Chelsea's John Terry stare out from the box of Pro Evolution Soccer 5, both men at the top of their game in the Premiership, and both are die-hard fans of the PES series. The retuned controls in the 2005 edition give players more control over weighted passes, one-twos, and so on. This ties in with the improved animation, which not only looks more realistic, but requires you to time kicks and shots perfectly for maximum power - you're more likely to scuff the ball and make weak, inaccurate shots if you attempt to play them while off balance or out of step. In order for you to enjoy the full benefit of the updated controls, Training Mode is extended - rewarding efforts with points used to unlock secrets within the game. The new licensed clubs are all meticulously detailed, including the authentic representation of names and numbers on their backs. Increased detail in all players has been transferred to the Player Design mode, which has been hugely expanded to include more factors determining skill and ability. Master League, in which you guide a lowly team to glory, now allows player-managers to monitor individual players and see when their health declines and includes European teams. In all games, weather conditions can be set to 'variable', leading to patchy rain or snow. The new weather conditions further enhance the realism and unpredictable nature of PES matches. Rain or shine, PES 5 will be the greatest console football you've ever experienced. [Konami Europe]

Konami
Sports, Soccer
Players: 8
RP (Rating Pending)
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Released October 21, 2005

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

92 / 100

Critic Reviews

100	Boomtown In spite of the graphical and sonic shortcomings, we’re looking at another thundering [100]. Once the ball is in play, nothing else matters but the battle between the twenty-two men on the grass... It really is as good as it gets.
100	RewiredMind New animations, a slicker graphical performance, and gameplay that’s more compelling and involving than ever mean that Pro Evolution Soccer 5 is the only simulation that any true football fan could want. PES gets a maximum score for the fifth year running, and has never deserved it more.
100	Thunderbolt Some will moan that the new tweaks make the game too hard, but in all honesty each new addition in the history of PES has required players to take the game from a new angle and aspect, going back to basics in an attempt to master the new game engine.
91	Pelit (Finland) Once again, the best football game gets even better. The controls are dangerously complex, though. If the trend continues, hardcore gamers will get a previously unseen advantage. [Nov 2005]
90	Sydney Morning Herald This time the AI is a harder nut to crack, requiring more thoughtful passing to open up your opponent before you strike. So long as you're thinking like a footballer, you're going to score goals.
90	Total Video Games It's simple, Pro Evo IS football and the latest version makes enough enhancements to continue the series onward march to perfection. If you're a footie fan you need this, casual fans however might not necessarily appreciate the subtle modifications compared to previous titles.
90	AceGamez The difficulty does indeed keep things fresh for the fans, but I fear that the casual gamer might have troubles with some of new things on offer.
90	EuroGamer 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.
90	Computer and Video Games FIFA 2006? You can keep your fancy licences, clever match-intros and shiny presentation. We want to play great football. Without the grass stains. Even more than any game before it, Pro Evolution Soccer 5 lets us do that - and then some. [PSW]
90	Ferrago The pure footballing pleasure of Pro Evo 5 serves as a reminder of what it all should be about. Some fans of past iterations may not like the tweaks made here to a formula loved by so many, but evolution is inevitable and I think we're just about heading in the right direction.
90	3DAvenue The new teams have helped the licensing issue but it still remains the aspect that has to really be looked at for the next generation title. With that aside, this truly is the closest thing to playing soccer in your own lounge room.
85	PALGN The tweaks made on the gameplay aren’t really something that can be unanimously agreed upon and the game is extremely demanding, especially on those who have never played. Still, PES5 provides the most realistic and satisfying game of football on the market today.
84	IC-Games There are far more offsides than I was used to (negating the through ball), the foul count is horrendous – a whistle every few seconds till you wise up, and passes go astray from even the best of your talent.

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