Pro Evolution Soccer 6 shows its colours

Not strictly walking, more like dragged screaming and kicking from the console. Next generation Pro Evo works the same magic but in high-def, and notably more involving gameplay. Konami claims Xbox 360 has allowed PES to near its full potential with tighter control, and hugely augmented player/team A.I. No need to improve on the ball, Konami says, because you don’t better perfection.

As the name implies, the PES series is an ongoing quest for refinement and arguably hasn’t put a foot wrong. Of course the next-generation clout of Xbox 360 gives Konami’s pioneers chance to introduce degrees of accuracy that were impossible on older consoles. Visually it’s far superior to last-generation PES, with improved weather effects, dazzling TV-style presentation, pristine stadiums packed with crowds and grass that looks like the real thing. But this is only the tip of the iceberg and always has been with PES.

A little known fact is that each player in PES is created based on 238 performance-related attributes. Earlier consoles required Konami to pare this down to roughly 50 basic parameters, but on Xbox 360 the full gamut of important and influential statistics can be employed. This has served as a catalyst to improve gameplay in terms of responsiveness, and with huge implications for player A.I. Passing and shooting can be performed with greater finesse, but equally more punishing if your timing is off. Team mates find space more intelligently, and work together more efficiently as a unit. Individuals are more clearly defined, club and international squads are organised characteristically too.

We’ve been putting Konami’s claims to the test, and rest assured there is no word of a lie. PES6 is one heck of an evolution and it’s exclusive to Xbox 360. Ole!

• Pro Evolution Soccer 6 for Xbox 360