Pro Evolution Soccer 2010

We enjoyed PES 2010's slower pacing, but FIFA 10 is slightly better. Especially FIFA's extensive licenses are missing from PES 2010.

Pro Evo 2010 delivers as exciting a game of football as you are likely to find anywhere, it just happens to be wrapped in the finest looking packaging that the series has ever had to offer.

Improved graphics, streamlined tactical options and a relatively robust take on the series' winning formula ensure that this is the best PES yet, though it's not quite enough to topple FIFA from its well-earned perch.

PES 2010 isn't the final soccer simulation, but it surely manages to entertain us with our friends. It lacks on novelties and the graphics feel a little bit dated, but a couple of very long and involving online modes, the new cards system, a deep schemes creation editor and a finally playable online multiplayer, make PES 2010 a title to not undervalue, which definitely deserves to be enjoyed.

It’s tough to say which is better, Pro Evolution or FIFA, given that the former has more depth while the latter comes off as the sexier experience.

It has more changes than last year's and it's on the right track, but still far from what we all desire.

After putting significant hours into both games we’re more than happy to give Konami a nod of encouragement and to say ‘hey, that is more like it. Now we are getting somewhere.’ But that doesn’t change the fact that FIFA 10 is a superior soccer experience in pretty much every component and in a two horse race if you’re not first, you’re last.

Artists like The Kaiser Chiefs, The Klaxons and The Chemical Brothers are among many that give the game a good atmosphere when you aren't even kicking a football about.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is immediate and playable. The problem is its attachment with its own past, leaving Konami's title many steps behind Fifa 10. The technical aspect is characterized by ups and downs, with great player realization against bad animations and ugly stadiums. Every fan will decide the winner of the challenge of football this season based on their experiences and their own tastes, but Konami with this new edition of its football title, finds himself sadly still behind its closest competitor, although an obvious first step in the right direction finally seems to have been taken.

PES 2010 brings hope to Konami’s series with its new iteration. Nice gameplay and fantastic visuals for the actually first Next-Gen Pro Evolution Soccer game.

PES 2010 is a fast paced and frantic football game and while it lacks the polish of FIFA it's still great fun to play.

There is a new feeling on the pitch. It’s a little rougher and a bit clumsier but a lot can be recognized from PES 2009, a bit too much even. I would like to have seen more new animations and better control of the ball. Finally the career mode have received a massive upgrade, there is now a lot more manager options together with the Champions and Europe League licenses. In the end the step forward on the field isn’t what I hoped for but it is definitely worth your time this year.

The latest edition of Pro Evolution Soccer tries to show something new but, in the end, there are no major improvements. The 'new engine' looks the same as the one of the past edition, while many animations that were to be fixed since ages are unfortunately still there. The only interesting options are the new 'sliding' tactics and the skill cards to apply to each player. In the end it's a good soccer game, but FIFA 10 is on an upper level.

There's no denying that PES 2010 is an excellent game of football - it's just that PES's 'E', Evolution, is more suited to its chief rival.

PES2010 is a great game for fans of this franchise: it has a direct and fast playability and it's great when played with a friend. But for the next entry they really should improve animations, collision detection and league licenses.

PES is slowly creeping back up and it might have a chance to fight back FIFA if it keeps up this way. The return of some serious simulation ensures this is one of the better editions of the past years.

PES is far from perfect, but if the ball starts to roll and two players are competitive to each other, you start to believe in PES again. Konami is pushing this game in the right direction and let us hope that Konami stays on this path. PES stays PES, and FIFA stays FIFA. It’s a certain feeling that should be generated if you play one of the two games. If you’re willing to put some time in this game, you can play for hours with joy.

Though the mode on hand are all old hat, they've been greatly refined. The online experience in particular is vastly improved.

There are some good innovations in PES 2010 like new tactical options. Revamped Master League is also a welcomed addition and finally PES looks good. The main problem is that on the pitch PES 2010 feels all too familiar. Next year we should see a whole new passing system and more convincing duels. [Nov 2010]

One step forward, two steps back. Konami have shot for realism, but sacrificed the fun.

The gameplay is solid; it just isn’t able to keep pace with FIFA 10 in most regards.

Unfortunately, despite all the new additions in PES 2010 and things it does get right, you get the feeling of underwhelming achievement, like it should have been so much more.

Overall Konami have upped their game in terms of bringing back the good old days of Pro Evolution Soccer. However with EA's FIFA series has been growing leaps and bounds each year, I'm not too sure if it's too late for Konami to gain the fans interest back.

PES 2010's team management options are a warning sign that the Japanese developer still has some tricks up its sleeve, and people for whom the transition to another football game is simply too much to countenance will buy and enjoy this, and discover it still plays a good, grass-roots game. For everyone else though, up is still down, because FIFA wins again.

PES 2010 is simply not good enough to challenge FIFA's dominance. It's an improvement on last year's effort, and fans of the more arcadey virtual football will find plenty to enjoy, but as a simulation it pales in comparison.

It's hard to imagine why gamers would opt for PES over FIFA this year unless they are such stubborn fans of the series that they'll never let go. FIFA betters Konami's offerings more or less across the board this time around, while PES' continued lack of substantial gameplay innovations (even without any comparisons to FIFA) is becoming quite worrying to say the least.

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

Unfortunately there are only a few improvements in Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. PES-fans will be happy with some improvements in the different modes, but general soccer fans are better off with EA's FIFA 10.

The noticeable improvements aside, there are some very real problems with the core gameplay of PES that aren’t easily forgotten. The engine is well past its sell-by-date, its clumsy brand of football is given a real thrashing by FIFA in realism and too many aspects of the package remain disappointingly unrefined.

PES 2010 may not have been able to topple FIFA as the leading football game but it’s clear the series is getting back on track and obvious improvements have been made over last years game.

Yes, FIFA is the superior offering this year -- but it's a lot closer than you might initially think. If Takatsuka's team tackles the animation issues and online hiccups next year like they addressed the graphics, presentation, and Master League this year, we could have a 2010 videogame footballing derby worthy of Premier League titans Liverpool and Man United.

This year's Pro Evo improves upon its predecessor in some key areas, but it does little else to keep up with the competition.