Year after year, games like Pro Evolution are expanded upon and then re-released with a higher number in front of the name. EA is renowned for releasing annual Tiger Woods and FIFA games - but if something is making money, why not take advantage? I would! For me, like many other people out there, Pro Evolution instalments are like little babies being dropped on your doorstep, for you to love and take care of. A slightly over the top comparison perhaps but, like a baby, you cannot help but feel some degree of love for each new Pro Evo title. While the fifth game doesn't do that much more over the forth instalment, it does overwhelm the player with a touch of freshness and a lot more love. Whether you're new to the series or coming back for more, Pro Evolution Soccer 5 won't disappoint.

The first thing I noticed, a change from the fourth, is its difficulty. I was faced with the fact that my either Pro Evo skills had slumped over the last year or that this game suddenly became harder than that slaphead referee who keeps on sending my team members off. What a bastard! Fortunately for me, I found out that the game had undergone a lot of tweaks that will throw even the hardcore Pro Evo player off the ball. 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.

That's not to say that they won't be able to learn how to master the ball once more given time - but loss after loss can be quite demoralising! However, with willpower to the maximum, I played and played until I finally won the stronger team in Master League mode, and I felt great! I always talk about how rewarding these types of games are, but playing something that just got harder and then winning for the first time was extremely satisfying.

The changes, from what I can gather, mostly concern the shooting meter. Normally you'd run up to the ball and shoot it as short or as far as you liked, with a longer or shorter button press respectively. What has happened now is simple - and on the face of things it was the logical thing to do. It seems as if the response times are doubly quick now, so a gentle half second tap suffices for a short powerful blast and a small moment press is enough to fill the meter up for a full blast. This does take some mastering as I mentioned, but it increases the pace of the game tenfold. Providing your quick wit doesn't let you down, you should be able to make quick decisions backed up with quick and powerful shots, which work in perfect harmony. I'm grateful for the change - even though it did take me a few hours to fully understand what was going on!

All the modes from the previous games are here, which cover entering a Master League and managing your team all the way to the top, with various customisations and deals to strike in acquiring new players, right down to playing quickly, with little in the way of configuring and then back to playing for various cups as your country - or even making your own team to take to the top. There's simply masses to do in Pro Evo 5 and while a large majority of these modes are brought over from last time, it's the gameplay that has changed for the better - that and better emphasis online. I also love the menu design; it's still rather simple and a nice shade of blue, but the music in the background is so addictive that I've been searching high and low for the track name. I didn't come up trumps, but it's nice to navigate easy menus while listening to a great piece of music at the same time.

On the pitch you have to ask yourself, what can't I do? What has Konami said I won't be able to do this year? The answer is a very reassuring and astounding 'there's nothing I can't do!' Once you've mastered the new sensitivity system, there are other new things to contend with. One of these things is the out with the old shoulder tapping, side stepping malarkey and in with a nice fluid one stick controls all system. Using the analogue stick you are able to practically dance around your opponents with the ball, stepping from side to side and really making the crowd scream. Using the map at the bottom of the screen, look for flashing opportunities to pass the ball - see one, act upon it, cross it over and get the receiving player to head in the ball with that toughened skull. It's all just so clean and fluid, it plays like poetry.

While the graphics aren't touching FIFA 06 this year either, replays and character AI is so realistic that you'll be convinced you're watching a real game. When you score satisfyingly using a string of dribbles, passes and a careful shoot, you get to watch that replay again and again, from a range of perspectives. You get to zoom right in on the action, see the expression on the players' faces and see how in the midst of the action the players strafe around each other in such a lifelike fashion that you'll be gobsmacked. Have a spare memory card at the ready, because filling a card up with replays can be easily done, especially when you're convinced that your latest goal is the best one yet!

In the bigger modes, there is something called player conditions. A new stamina engine has been added to Pro Evo 5 - which in short can be described as bloody brilliant but downright frustrating at the same time. If one of your players is in bad condition then he might get injured on the pitch without being provoked by a nasty tackle. He might just fall down with a bad leg - and it will be your fault as a manager for sending him out in such a bad condition. It's up to you as the manager to keep everybody in top shape and alternate the wear and tear on your players. Quicker modes let you set your team's condition and the opposing team's condition - so that's England fighting fit and Brazil on the hot heals of limb-break then!

The PS2 version of the game earns itself a Brucey Bonus, as this can be linked up with the PSP version. This means you can start a Master League at home on the big screen and then transfer the data over to the PSP version and continue the league on the go. This prospect fills me with a warm glow - and if you have a PSP and you're tossing and turning over which version to buy, then the PS2 version definitely holds the ace here. There is also full net play and welcomed to Pro Evo 5 is online for up to four players, two on each side. Before, there was only room for one vs. one, which was good, but not good enough. I am excited about two vs. two games, but four aside would have been even more welcome.

The graphics are rather realistic close up, as I've said. In replays, it looks like the real thing. For the most part the gameplay is zoomed out and you really can't tell any difference between the players from that distance, which I suppose could be a good thing anyway - you wouldn't want to be reminded that you're controlling Rooney by looking at his high-definition face, would you? The graphics as a whole in this instalment are at the top of their game. With smooth looking, realistic moving players and neatly cut grass around the various stadiums, there's little in the way of distractions, which gives you full focus on the gameplay. Saying that, the real time weather effects can add a dash of class to this title, especially when it starts to snow! It's not nearly as nice looking as FIFA but the realistic movements really do reach out and touch me!

The sound is simply astounding though. The various tracks played though pause menus, replays, highlights and managing screens are fantastic, not to mention my favourite menu track, which just makes you want to play and gets you hyped up for a cracking game of football. Cheering crowds are just one of the things that makes passing the ball around a joy - and it's nice to hear the opposing team getting booed by the masses of fans that have come to see you. On the other hand, it's not nice to be booed yourself, but what I'm trying to say here is that the crowd alone gives it that pumped atmosphere any good soccer game should have. The commentary flows nicely, with household names for the major teams spoken out loud and lots of quips and tense moments created by the pure vocal commentators sat somewhere high up above the pitch. I'm so impressed with the sound in the game that I could cry.

Another year, another Pro Evolution Soccer game, another high score. I can wholeheartedly recommend Pro Evolution Soccer 5 to the masses that will inevitably go out and buy it, regardless of my good words. I will say that casual gamers might look at the differences and not be too impressed by them - even though the differences do seem small, they really add a lot to the overall package. Big fans of the series must own this game and any casual gamers looking for the next football revolution should consider jumping on the Pro Evolution bandwagon once again.

Reviewed by Dexter Pearson for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).