If PES on PS3 is Theo Walcott – young, improving, a little unpolished – then PES on PS2 is Dwight Yorke: aging, not as fresh as it once was, but still with that brief magic of a former champion. Placed next to last year’s version, this is near identical. It’s perhaps a touch quicker, though, and the high tempo, arcade-addled gameplay is like watching a Benny Hill video when placed next to the slower, more deliberate PS3 game.

Unfortunately, some fairly unforgivable cuts have been made, with the Champions League mode being the first big name off the team sheet. The game seems to have been made with a rushed hand too, and player likenesses are rather more hit-and-miss than they used to be. Still, the enjoyable challenge-based World Tour mode and constantly slick shooting and passing should keep PS2 football fans happy.

Nov 13, 2008