Pro Evolution Soccer 5 PSP Review

Pro Evolution Soccer, it’s amazing, at least it is on the PS2. On the PSP…it’s okay. Everything about PES5 on the PSP is worse in comparison to the PS2 version; the only reason for buying it is that you can play it wherever and whenever you feel like it. In no way shape or form is it suited to the PSP and to be honest, this game is not even half of what Pro Evolution Soccer 5 on the PS2.

The game is missing out on a lot of things one of them being single player mode. There are no cups for you to do and there is no master league so you’re left with the choice of exhibition, training and league mode. Even training isn’t as good as it is on the PS2 where there are various challenges. On the PSP all you can do is free training which is good to start off with in that you can learn how to master the game on the PSP but after you’ve got used to the game you won’t be going back to it. Exhibition and league mode are as extensive as they are on the PS2 with their being a lot of teams and leagues as well as the fact that using the computers USB cable, you can download and transfer game saves for the game so you’re always updated. The fact there is no master league and that there are no cups really bring the lifespan of the game down.

A positive of the game is in exhibition mode, the game, in terms of gameplay and graphics, is as good as its PS2 counterpart. Well mostly it is, the game runs smoothly and the graphics are jaw dropping but at times, namely during free kicks and corners, the game can suddenly go slower and this can be annoying when you’re playing. The selection of teams is the same as that of the PS2’s as mentioned before and even if the game lacks what some others have in terms of what there is to do. However, there is no commentary which can be seen as a blessing in disguise, because on the PS2 its annoying, but still it would have been better if we had it. The gameplay and graphics are as always unbelievably good.

If graphics and gameplay are good then it usually means online play is going to be good which it is. You have a full array of stats, which means that you can see how good you are against other people. Also, it’s as fun as PS2 multiplayer on the PSP which adds up to one of the best multiplayer experiences around. The fact that the game only covers the ad-hoc part isn’t very good because if it were to be infrastructure this could be even better. Still if you have friends then it’s just as fun and you’re guaranteed hours of gameplay.

The PES shop in PES5 is cut down and not as extensive as it is on the PS2 version of the game. Still without cups and master league, it will take longer to unlock everything which some may get bored of doing anyway. In addition edit mode, isn’t as good. You can’t do things such as editing the appearance of a player or editing the team’s shirt layouts which for teams like Newcastle, you need to do. Even editing on the PS2 and then transferring doesn’t work.  The data transfer mode from PS2 to PSP is good but could be better, when it occurs you can only send data from the PS2 to PSP and even so if you’ve edited something that can’t be on the PSP it’ll stay the same looking different.

In conclusion, if you have friends and want to play multiplayer with them get this game. If not, you’ll find yourself bored and going back to the PS2 version within a week. Another game like this and it could mark the end of the era of the great game on the PSP. The makers of the game know how to improve so they should do it before they have another giant failure like this game.

Rating: 77/100