Here's my review of PES5, I am going to report on my first three games (I've played more now):
Note: All matches were played on five-star.
Manchester United 1-2 Juventus
As soon as I put the disc into my PS2, I could feel that this game was
going to be different and I was right. Straight from the kick-off, I realised the new dribbling system. It was a bit annoying at first but in the end I got used to it. The CPU made many through-balls and have since this match. The through-balls seem to be their primary method of attack. Anyway, my goal came from a rare fumble by Gianluigi Buffon. It was a throw-in on the left, Heinze threw the ball to Giggs and Giggs ran towards the touchline before putting in a cross. The cross had late curl on it and I think this fooled Buffon. He tried to go for the ball but fumbled it. The ball flew up in the air and Thuram, Van Nistelrooy and Cannavaro all went up for it. It hit Thuram's shoulder and went up in the air again. This time it deflected of that pack of players and fell kindly to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was level with the penalty spot and shot the ball into an empty goal as Buffon was recovering from his fumble and getting up. I was surprised by this fumble, especially as it was by Buffon. Juventus levelled in the second half with a Del Piero goal. It was a through-ball by Nedved and my defence was too slow. Del Piero cut inside from the left and placed the ball past the oncoming Van Der Sar. In the end they won it. It was a cross from the right and my defenders failed to clear it. Del Piero stepped past both Ferdinand's slide and Van Der Sar's dive and placed it into the empty goal. With hardly any time left, I didn't recover.
Chelsea 0-1 AC Milan (AET)
This game was a pretty drab and boring game but it showed how well organised the CPU can be when it comes to defending. AC Milan's defence consisted of Cafu, Stam, Nesta and Maldini, so it was hardly a surprise. But when you are Chelsea, you expect to breach even the best defences(?) Anyway, this game also showed the quality of the CPU's finishing. Gilardino shot a half-volley, on the run and with his left foot, from the left side of the penalty spot. It rattled the post (the post might still be shaking as we speak) with even Cech beaten. Their goal came from another half-volley. Cafu played a sort of chip pass to the right side of the penalty spot which Kaka let bounce a couple of times and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Game over, no question.
Arsenal 2-1 Inter
At last, a win! This match showed how you need to bring your kepper out with care or pay the penalty. It also showed how useful cutting inside is. My goal came from a simple free-kick and header. It was a free-kick from the right, not too far out. Henry curled it in and Reyes did a sort of bending-down header, where he bent his knees and got under the ball, into the roof of the net. The marking was appalling and had Favalli moved forward a inch or two instead of daydreaming the goal would have been off-side. Inter equalised quickly after a mistake by Jens Lehmann. It was a through-ball, chased by Adriano and Sol Campbell. Lehmann tried to come out but Adriano beat him to the ball but was closed down by Campbell. The ball went loose and Lehmann tried to kick it clear but the ball was took off him by Campbell. Campbell tried to clear it but it went loose again and as Lehmann dived at the ball but missed and was down on the grass, Adriano had a open goal and socred but still had a lot to do as he was outside the box, on the left and at a tight angle. I then changed my team around and played Reyes just off Henry and slightly on the right. He impressed with a few chances but was closed-down too often by defenders. I eventually won it when a corner from Henry deflected off a pack of players and fell loose and Ljungberg was left with a easy chance. I learnt from this game that against certain teams, you should play your best dribbler on the wing. I had put Hleb on the right wing and he had impressed, beating defenders easily and putting in good crosses.
Summary
The game has improved in areas from PES4 but it needs itself certain improvement in areas. The game is now more quicker and the referee is slightly stricter. Dribbling is now harder but more rewarding and the CPU has mastered through-balls and long passing. The keeper is more likely to come out and go for the ball from crosses, thus increasing the probability of fumbles but decreasing the possibility of goals from headers. Heading itself is much harder and you are beaten more often than not in the air by the CPU. The CPU defence is more harder to break down and pace is now not a primary option when you want to beat an opponent. However, all passing is more effective, when beating opponents. The midfield of the CPU is also quite solid but they can misplace the odd pass just like you or me. The strikers are more lethal, so watch out. If you have a slow defence, you may be in trouble.
The commentary is a bit better as well and more accurate but still not good enough. I like the new options you have in all modes now. The edit mode has been improved a lot and the master league mode is still very good.
Graphics: 10/10
Sound = Music: 8/10, Commentary: 6/10, Crowd: 7/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Lifespan: 9/10
Overall: 10/10 (except for a few imporovements here and there)
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The master league mode has been quite difficult for me. I'm playing on five-star with default players. The first match I won 1-0 (thanks to a Huylens penalty in injury time) but since then I haven't been doing well. However, in my last game, I changed my formation to 4-1-3-2. I played my DM just inside the centre circle and in my half and I played the wingers as close to the touchline and the end of the green area near the strikers as I could. This worked well as I lead 2-0 into half-time. But the CPU found gaps in my defence and punished my slow defence, with Olisadebe getting a brace. The final score was 2-2. My defence is lacking in strength and speed so I will be making changes when the transfer windows opens.
